Commissioning Editor, British Archaeology magazine

COUNCIL FOR BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Le Conseil pour l'archéologie britannique est à la recherche d'un nouvel éditeur de la revue British Archaeology. Ce rôle passionnant implique la direction créative et éditoriale, garantissant que chaque numéro soit attrayant et pertinent, tout en soutenant l'engagement du CBA à promouvoir l'archéologie en tant qu'outil pour aborder des questions contemporaines.

Qualifications

• Expérience prouvée en tant qu'éditeur de magazine ou dans un rôle éditorial senior.
• Capacité à identifier et à commander du contenu, idéalement dans le domaine de l'archéologie.

Responsibilities

• Commisionner des articles de haute qualité reflétant la diversité de l'archéologie au Royaume-Uni.
• Éditer le contenu soumis pour assurer clarté et précision.

Skills

Editorial judgement

Written and verbal communication

Design experience

Network across archaeological community

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Deadline: Monday 14^th July 2025.

1. About British Archaeology magazineand the Council for British Archaeology

British Archaeology is an award-winning bi-monthly publication, published by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), focusing on the latest archaeology news, discoveries, and research within the UK and from British Archaeologists working overseas.

As the key information platform of the CBA the magazine is integral to our overall role as the voice of archaeology in the UK. As Commissiong Editor you will have a key role in upholding the CBA’s values and mission and maximising the magazine’s potential to showcase the breadth of archaeology in the UK and its unique role in society as a tool to help address contemporary issues such as social justice and climate change.

The CBA are looking to appoint a new Commissioning Editor of British Archaeology magazine. This is an exciting role for someone looking to make a lasting impact on how archaeology is communicated to the public and has the ability to balance journalistic creativity with sector expertise.

The CBA is an educational charity working throughout the UK to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and future generations. Our mission is to enable anyone to have the skills and opportunity to tell the stories of people and places that connect us to our world, help us understand it and make it a better, more inclusive place. We are a membership organisation with around 5,000 members and subscribers and provide support to the CBA network of regional groups. Our work is broad in its scope, coordinating 70 Young Archaeologists’ Clubs, helping to safeguard built heritage through our statutory role as a national amenity society concerning Listed Buildings casework in England and Wales, and undertaking a wide range of advocacy and projects, as well as producing British Archaeology magazine and running the annual Festival of Archaeology across the UK.

Over the last two years the CBA has been carrying out research looking at how the public would like to engage with archaeological information. Through our ‘Reconnecting Archaeology’ project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund we have also undertaken in-depth research into engagement with the CBA and our outputs including a survey of British Archaeology readers. The Commissioning Editor will have the opportunity to collaborate with CBA staff to draw on this learning and develop a strategy for the future of the magazine set within a wider context of engagement and dissemination of archaeology to the public.

2. Scope of the work

As Commissioning Editor, you will take the creative and editorial lead ofBritish Archaeology, delivering engaging, accessible, and thought-provoking content to a diverse readership including CBA members, professionals and archaeology enthusiasts. You will be responsible for the magazine’s tone, content curation, editorial direction, and visual identity, ensuring each issue is vibrant, insightful, and relevant to the evolving landscape of archaeology in the UK.

The Commissioning Editor will be required to:

• Commission high-quality articles that reflect the depth and diversity of UK archaeology. Please note that the CBA does not pay a fee for contributions to the magazine.
• Edit submitted content to ensure clarity, accuracy and accessibility and to align with the magazine’s style Write content including the ‘From the Editor’ and as required, feature or regular column content
• Develop strong relationships with contributors, experts, and institutions across the sector and grassroots archaeological groups to develop a robust pipeline of content Liaise with the magazine printers and distributors
• Collaborate with the sub-editor to create visually compelling layouts
• Liaise with the CBA staff team to generate regular CBA generated content
• Bring a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to the magazine’s themes and features
• Meet production schedules and coordinate with publishing and distribution partners
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of the magazine’s digital strategy and wider audience engagement
• As the magazine is one of the CBA’s key public facing outputs the Commissioning Editor will be responsible for upholding the CBA’s values, particularly in relation to inclusion, belonging and open participation.
• Branding guidelines, publication standards and specifications and an editorial policy will be provided with the opportunity to review and update on an annual basis.
• The role will be supported by the Sub-Editor and Proofreader as well as the CBA’s Executive Team, Advisory Committee and Communications and Marketing Manager.
• Final approval of magazine content will sit with the CBA Executive Team and the Advisory Committee will support the Commissioning Editor to develop a pipeline of content.

3. Required outputs

Production of British Archaeology – six copies per year published bi-monthly (in print and online).

4. Skills and experience required

You should be able to demonstrate the following experience:

• Proven experience as a magazine editor or in a senior editorial role
• Strong editorial judgement and a flair for crafting compelling narratives
• Experience of identifying and commissioning content, ideally within archaeology or an associated sector
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Informed understanding of UK archaeology and a strong network across the archaeological community
• Design experience or significant experience working with a designer
• Confident in working both independently and collaboratively Proficient in using Adobe InDesign

5. Contract and fee

The Commissioning Editor is a freelance position with a competitive fee available based on experience.

It is anticipated that the time required to produce the magazine will be the equivalent of 15 days per month or 3 days per week.

6. Timetable

Work should commence in early December 2025.

7. Application criteria

The appointment will be based on the following criteria:

• Quality of response and your proposed approach (50%)
• Demonstration of relevant experience (40%)
• Cost (10%)

8. How to apply

Please send an application of no more than three pages highlighting your proposed approach, relevant experience, how your insight could benefit the magazine, and fee expectations. This should be accompanied by a CV or other summary of your expertise/experience and no more than 3 examples of recent work.

For digital access to past editions of British Archaeology magazine please contact Jessica Latham, Communications and Marketing Manager at [e-mail]

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a time for an informal chat please contact Neil Redfern, Executive Director at [e-mail].

Applications should be sent by an email via the button below.

Deadline: Monday 14^th July at 12pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a short piece of work showcasing their editorial ability. Details of this will be circulated to selected candidates on 22^nd July for submission on 1^st August 2025.

Potential interview dates are 6^th and/or 7^th August 2025.