Editing and Research Coordinator

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work: Wednesdays

Insurance benefits: life, disability,

Retirement plan

Paid time off & holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries seeks an Editing and Research Coordinator reporting to the Editor-in-Chief of Evangelization & Culture. The role collaborates across online, journal, and podcast divisions to craft content and advance Word on Fire’s mission in a fast-paced media environment.

The position emphasizes research, outreach to top writers, and writing/editing for multiple platforms, with duties spanning daily operations and relationship-building with Catholic and broader media

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or theology; strong writing/editing background.
• Strong experience with writing and editing demonstrated across content types.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Consistent tone, voice, and formatting across diverse content.
• Ability to perform fact-checking on topics, statistics, and citations.
• Professional verbal and written communication with writers and editors.
• Ability to collaborate with internal/external partners and stakeholders.
• Commitment to Word on Fire's mission.

Responsibilities

• Assist Editor-in-Chief with research and outreach to high-level writers for the Journal, Podcast, and E&C Online.
• Foster relationships and build processes for connecting writers and guests, including outreach and gifting.
• Cultivate relationships with national/international media and institutions for collaboration.
• Organize recruitment and placement of high-level contributors into marquee spots on E&C Online.
• Collaborate with social media/marketing to publicize guest essays, journals, and podcasts.
• Support topic selection, writer recruitment, and publicity for The College Beat.
• Research topics and young writers for E&C Online, Journal, and Podcast.

Skills

Research

Editing

Writing

Communication

Time management

Organization

Fact-checking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English or related field

Journalism background

Tools

Chicago Manual of Style

Google Docs

Monday.com

Job description

Editing and Research Coordinator Reports to Editor in Chief of Evangelization & Culture

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries is a nonprofit global media apostolate that supports the work of Bishop Robert Barron and reaches millions of people to draw them into—or back to—the Catholic faith.

The Editing and Research Coordinator would report directly to the Editor-in-Chief of Evangelization & Culture (E & C) and collaborate in special work across the three branches of Evangelization & Culture (online, journal, and podcast). This will include research on topics and writers, writing, coordinating and communicating to advance the Word on Fire ethos and bring Christ to a hungry culture.

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL

Employment Type: Full-time

Responsibilities

Ethos Crafting & Relationship Building

• Assisting Editor-in-Chief with research and outreach to high level writers, speakers, thinkers for the Journal, Podcast, & with some contributions to E & C Online (to bring each to the next level)
• Foster professional relationships and create efficient processes for connecting (personal outreach), gifting (e.g., journal, book, Bible, etc.), and recruiting high level writers and guests while continuing to cultivate these ongoing relationships
• Cultivate relationships with other leaders in the Catholic (e.g., First Things, The Pillar, Catholic World Report) and non-Catholic media (e.g., National Review, The Free Press, Commentary, WSJ) with whom we could publish, ally, and collaborate
• Periodically organize the integration of high level recruits into marquee spots on E & C Online with the Senior Digital Managing Editor
• Work with internal social media and marketing teams on the efficient, effective publicizing and distributing of high level guest essays, journals, and podcasts

The College Beat

• Assist Editor-in-Chief with topic selection, recruitment of writers, expansion of outreach, editing, and publicity of The College Beat
• Research topics and younger writers/podcast guests for E & C Online, Journal, and Podcast to cultivate a rolling vanguard of young Catholic evangelists
• Cultivate select nationwide (and international) relationships with university officials, professors, Newman Centers, and Catholic universities where Editor-in-Chief and others could speak and form enthusiastic Catholics (and Word on Fire aficionados)
• Research and recommend ways for college students to access the Institute and Journal at affordable prices (including getting the Journal into college libraries)

Creative Contribution

• Write for the E & C Journal and for E & C Online (as needed)
• Collaborate with E & C Podcast for guest outreach including but not limited to recruitment, communication and follow ups

Daily Operations

• Assist Editor-in-Chief with obtaining copyright permissions, making writer payments, sending thank you emails, organizing meetings, spreadsheet/Monday board organization, schedule management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in English, writing, journalism, or theology
• Strong experience with writing and editing
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to ensure consistency in tone, voice and formatting across diverse content types
• Ability to perform fact-checking on various subjects, statistics and citations
• Professional verbal and written communication skills for liaising between writers, editors, and both internal and external partners
• Ability to collaborate effectively with both internal and external business partners
• Commitment to the mission of Word on Fire

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in writing and editing with a rootedness in Theology, Philosophy, or English
• Proficient in Chicago Manual of Style
• Strong critical thinking skills to synthesize complex information into clear, concise briefs for the editorial team
• Skilled with Google docs/slide/spreadsheets and Monday.com
• Familiarity with the work of Bishop Robert Barron and Word on Fire

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment which involves frequent motions of the hands and wrists
• Ability to work in an open-office environment with moderate noise levels (e.g., computers, printers, conversations/calls, and light traffic)
• Must be able to inspect documents, view computer screens for extended periods, and navigate software interfaces to perform duties as assigned
• Frequent communication with internal and external partners; must be able to exchange accurate information both verbally and in writing, requiring clear speech and ability to hear or understand verbal communication

Compensation and Benefits

The estimated base pay range for this position is $27.48- $32.97 hourly (equivalent to $50,013.60 - $60,005.40 annually, based on a 35-hour, full-time work week). Word on Fire determines individual compensation on several factors, including but not limited to, experience, skills, alignment with the role’s responsibilities, and geographic location. This role may be eligible for annual merit increases based on individual performance.

Word on Fire also offers its team members a robust benefits package that includes:

• Work-from-home Wednesdays and up to 20 additional work-from-home days throughout the year
• Several 100% Word on Fire-paid insurance benefits: life, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Other insurance benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity
• A retirement plan with a 3% target employer contribution
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Paid parental leaves at 100% of base salary
• Access to Word on Fire’s incredible wealth of content and resources and more!

Word on Fire is founded upon and intent on prioritizing its Catholic religious mission and principles above all else. Word on Fire's religious mission may therefore require that it make employment decisions based on an individual's religion and adherence to the principles of the Catholic Church.