Editorial Director

Smith College; United States; On-site; USD 87,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College in Northampton, MA, seeks an Editorial Director to lead the development and production of the flagship Smith Quarterly, the alum magazine, and other major publications in partnership with Admissions and Advancement.

The role requires an experienced writer and editor who can move between long-form features and shorter editorial pieces, manage complex production timelines and budgets, and serve as a trusted editorial partner across divisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications or related field.
• 8+ years in editing, writing, or publishing, preferably in a magazine, higher education, or institutional context.
• Working knowledge of InDesign or comparable production tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in long-form writing and substantive editing.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder publication production processes independently.
• Experience managing budgets and contracting freelance contributors.
• Excellent news judgment and ability to develop compelling story ideas across formats.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Smith Quarterly’s content, voice, and direction.
• Develop story budgets; assign and edit long-form features, essays, profiles, and shorter content.
• Lead an Editorial Board and coordinate with design, photography, and production colleagues.
• Identify, contract, and edit freelance contributors from assignment to final edit.
• Oversee all print production phases, printer relations, timelines, and quality at every stage.
• Manage the publication’s budget and resource allocation; maintain editorial calendars.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Story development

Long-form writing

Budget management

Project management

Freelance contracting

Diversity & inclusion awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications or related field

Tools

InDesign

Job description

Job Summary The Editorial Director is a highly seasoned editorial professional within the Communications and Marketing team who leads the development and production of Smith College’s flagship print and digital publication — the Smith Quarterly, the college’s alum magazine — as well as for major publications produced in partnership with the Offices of Admissions and Advancement. Working independently and exercising significant editorial judgment, the Editorial Director conceives and executes ambitious, audience-centered storytelling that advances pride and engagement, supports fundraising and enrollment priorities, and reflects the full richness of the Smith community. This role requires an experienced writer and editor who moves fluidly between long-form feature journalism and shorter editorial forms, manages complex production timelines and budgets, and serves as a trusted editorial partner to colleagues across divisions. Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Smith Quarterly — Alum Magazine (60%) Serves as editor of the Smith Quarterly, exercising editorial judgment over all aspects of the magazine’s content, voice, and direction. Develops each issue’s story budget; conceives, assigns, and edits long-form features, reported essays, alum profiles, and shorter editorial content. Writes features and other content as needed. Manages an Editorial Board and partners with design, photography, and production colleagues to shape visually compelling issues. Identifies, contracts, and edits freelance contributors, managing those relationships from assignment through final edit. Oversees all phases of print production, including managing relationships with printers and mailing houses, tracking timelines, and ensuring quality at every stage. Manages the publication’s budget, including forecasting, tracking expenditures, and making independent decisions about resource allocation. Manages editorial calendars and production schedules across concurrent publications, coordinating timelines with writers, designers, photographers, and external vendors. Anticipates production challenges and resolves them independently. Ensures all publications meet quality standards and deadlines. Stays current on trends in magazine storytelling, alum engagement, and higher education communications to bring fresh editorial thinking to the work.

Major Publications (25%) Serves as editor of major publications produced by the division in partnership with the Offices of Admissions and Advancement, including viewbooks, case statements, donor reports, campaign materials, and other high-visibility print and digital content. Proactively identifies and develops story ideas across all publications — cultivating sources among alum, faculty, students, and staff; monitoring developments in higher education, social work, and in the lives of Smith’s constituencies; and maintaining an ongoing story pipeline that reflects the depth and diversity of the Smith community. Exercises judgment on editorial direction, voice, and quality; works closely with Admissions and Advancement colleagues to ensure publications serve strategic enrollment and fundraising goals while reflecting Smith’s institutional voice. Writes and edits content as needed across these projects.

Staff Management (15%) Manages the writer/editors within the Division of Communications and Marketing who create content for smith.edu, marketing materials, and strategic publications, providing editorial direction, feedback, and professional development. Evaluates and evolves the editorial team to best serve the division’s strategic priorities. Ensures consistent quality and voice across staff-produced content.

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, English, Communications or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in editing, writing, or publishing, preferably in a magazine, higher education, or institutional communications context.
• Working knowledge of InDesign or comparable production tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in both long-form feature writing and substantive editing.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder publication production processes independently.
• Experience managing budgets and contracting freelance contributors.
• Excellent news judgment and the ability to develop compelling story ideas across a range of formats and audiences.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Skills

• Exceptional writing and editing skills across long and short forms.
• Strong editorial vision and independent judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple complex production timelines and budgets simultaneously.
• Collaborative and consultative work style; skilled at building relationships across divisions.
• Audience-centered editorial instincts with an understanding of alum engagement and institutional communications.
• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven.
• Familiarity with digital publishing and content presentation best practices.
• Comfortable working independently on ambitious, visible projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate Degree in Journalism, English, Communications or a related field
• Experience editing an alumni, institutional, or consumer magazine.
• Familiarity with digital publishing platforms and multimedia storytelling formats.
• Experience working with Advancement or Admissions to develop donor- or enrollment-facing publications.

Compensation

In addition to a competitive benefits package, annualized pay for this role is typically between $86,593.05 - $117,155.30 covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and work schedule if less than full-time.

Position Type Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student‑faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross‑enroll and faculty cross‑teach across the Five Colleges. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail]. As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination. Smith College seeks to attract individuals who are committed to our mission of providing the highest quality education to women. Smith College enjoys the reputation as one of the finest colleges in the country. This reputation, tempered by time and challenged by change, holds strong because of the dedicated work of our staff, faculty and administration. We are a diverse group bringing to our community different talents, perspectives and experiences. Our strength arises from this diversity and is sustained by a community value of providing an outstanding educational environment for our nearly 2,700 students.

Smith at a Glance https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/smith-glance