Editorial Lead

Ciena Corporation; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciena Corporation in Baltimore is seeking an Editorial Lead to guide a team of copywriters, editors, and an editorial project manager while serving as a senior copywriter. You will ensure high-quality, on-brand content across channels and drive editorial standards and workflow efficiency.

The role partners with subject matter experts and leaders to shape content, oversee tone and voice, manage editorial operations, and collaborate with Brand Strategy and Creative to deliver cohesive storytelling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in editorial leadership or related discipline.
• Proven track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong portfolio across formats.
• Expertise in applying and maintaining brand voice, tone, and messaging frameworks.
• Experience in managing editorial operations, including resource allocation and workflow optimization.
• Familiarity with legal, intellectual property, and compliance requirements in content creation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of copywriters, editors, and an editorial project manager.
• Establish team priorities, goals, and performance expectations.
• Copywriting and Quality Assurance: Serve as a senior copywriter for content across multiple formats including web pages, event materials, campaign assets, email, video scripts, advertising, collateral, webinars, etc.
• Partner with subject matter experts and business leaders to shape content.
• Oversee editorial style guidelines, tone, voice, and usage standards.
• Ensure adherence to legal, IP, and compliance requirements.
• Drive editorial service delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Brand Strategy and Creative to ensure cohesive messaging and storytelling.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Team management

Storytelling

Brand voice

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Content management systems

Project management tools

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

The Editorial Lead oversees a team of copywriters, editors, and an editorial project manager while also serving as a senior copywriter. The role ensures the efficient delivery of high-quality, on-brand content across channels while building team capabilities, maintaining editorial standards, and driving operational effectiveness.

How you will make an impact

• Lead and develop a team of copywriters, editors, and an editorial project manager.
• Establish team priorities, goals, and performance expectations.
• Copywriting and Quality Assurance: Serve as a senior copywriter for content across multiple formats including web pages, event materials, campaign assets, email, video scripts, advertising, collateral, webinars, etc.
• Partner directly with subject matter experts and business leaders to shape and develop content.
• Oversee application of editorial style guidelines, tone, voice, and usage standards.
• Ensure adherence to legal, intellectual property, and compliance requirements.
• Editorial Operations: Drive editorial service delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Partner with the Editorial Project Manager to optimize workflows, intake processes, prioritization, and resource planning.
• Monitor operational metrics and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and responsiveness.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Brand Strategy team to ensure consistent application of Ciena's verbal identity system, including voice, character, messaging, and editorial style.
• Collaborate with Creative to ensure written and visual storytelling work together cohesively.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders seeking content support and editorial guidance.
• Promote a collaborative environment where strategic messaging, content development, and visual execution operate as a unified system.

What success looks like

• Consistent delivery of high-quality, on-brand content, including successful application of Ciena's verbal identity and messaging frameworks across production content.
• Editorial team engagement, development, and performance.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and service delivery effectiveness.
• Content quality and adherence to editorial standards.
• Workflow efficiency and operational scalability.
• Effective partnership with Brand and Creative.

The must haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in editorial leadership or a related discipline.
• Proven track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong portfolio of work across multiple formats.
• Expertise in applying and maintaining brand voice, tone, and messaging frameworks.
• Experience in managing editorial operations, including resource allocation and workflow optimization.
• Familiarity with legal, intellectual property, and compliance requirements in content creation.

Nice to have

• Experience working in a technology or B2B environment.
• Familiarity with Ciena’s industry and competitive landscape.
• Proficiency in project management tools and content management systems.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Pay range

Pay range - USD 140,900 - 220,000 CAD 160,700 - 256,000

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission.

• medical, dental, and vision plans
• participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• company-paid holidays
• paid sick leave
• vacation time

We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.

Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals.

We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.