Managing Editor, Convene

PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter is seeking a Managing Editor to lead Convene's editorial workflow for print and digital content. You will partner with the Editor in Chief to ensure timely, accurate delivery and adherence to brand standards.

The role oversees production schedules, quality control, freelancer coordination, and coordination with design, print, and external partners. Strong AP style knowledge and project management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, Communications, or related field.
• Five or more years of editorial experience in magazine, trade, association, or related publishing environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing editorial workflows, production schedules, and deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience copy editing and proofreading content according to established editorial standards.
• Advanced knowledge of AP Style.
• Experience working with designers, printers, and external production partners.
• Experience managing freelancers and outside contributors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, WordPress, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign and project-management platforms.
• Experience working in a collaborative, deadline-driven publishing environment.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the editorial calendar and production schedule for all print and digital editorial products.
• Coordinate workflow among editors, designers, freelancers, contributors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion of editorial and sponsored content projects.
• Proactively identify and resolve workflow, scheduling, and production challenges to keep projects on track.
• Maintain editorial processes, documentation, templates, and workflow procedures to support operational efficiency and consistency.
• Serve as the final quality-control reviewer for editorial content, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to AP Style and Convene editorial standards.
• Copy edit, proofread, fact-check, and verify sources, statistics, attributions, captions, and supporting materials prior to publication.
• Ensure consistency of voice, tone, style, and brand standards across all editorial products and maintain the Convene Style Guide as needed.
• Manage publication production from assignment through final delivery, including proofing cycles, issue close processes, and production approvals.
• Serve as the primary editorial liaison with design, printing, and production partners to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of publication materials.
• Manage relationships with freelance writers, photographers, and contributors, including assignments, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external stakeholders to obtain content, approvals, and supporting materials necessary for publication.
• Serve as an editorial point of contact for sponsored and partner-supported content while maintaining editorial integrity and standards.
• Support the publication and distribution of content across digital platforms and collaborate with digital staff to ensure consistency between print and digital editorial products.
• Continuously evaluate and improve editorial workflows, production processes, and quality-control practices to enhance operational effectiveness.

Skills

Project management

Multitasking

Relationship management

Editorial judgment

Process improvement

AP Style proficiency

Organizational skills

Professional demeanor

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism

English/Communications-related degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

WordPress

Adobe Acrobat

InDesign

Project-management tools

Job description

Position Summary

The Managing Editor serves as the operational leader of Convene's editorial process and is responsible for ensuring the timely, accurate, and high-quality execution of all editorial content across print and digital platforms. Working closely with the Editor in Chief, the Managing Editor oversees editorial workflows, production schedules, quality-control processes, contributor management, and issue execution to ensure all content meets Convene's editorial standards and business objectives. The Managing Editor acts as the primary coordinator among editorial, design, production, business development, and external partners, ensuring seamless delivery of all publication products.

Position Summary

The Managing Editor serves as the operational leader of Convene's editorial process and is responsible for ensuring the timely, accurate, and high-quality execution of all editorial content across print and digital platforms. Working closely with the Editor in Chief, the Managing Editor oversees editorial workflows, production schedules, quality-control processes, contributor management, and issue execution to ensure all content meets Convene's editorial standards and business objectives. The Managing Editor acts as the primary coordinator among editorial, design, production, business development, and external partners, ensuring seamless delivery of all publication products.

Essential Duties And Accountabilities

• Own and manage the editorial calendar and production schedule for all print and digital editorial products.
• Coordinate workflow among editors, designers, freelancers, contributors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion of editorial and sponsored content projects.
• Proactively identify and resolve workflow, scheduling, and production challenges to keep projects on track.
• Maintain editorial processes, documentation, templates, and workflow procedures to support operational efficiency and consistency.
• Serve as the final quality-control reviewer for editorial content, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to AP Style and Convene editorial standards.
• Copy edit, proofread, fact-check, and verify sources, statistics, attributions, captions, and supporting materials prior to publication.
• Ensure consistency of voice, tone, style, and brand standards across all editorial products and maintain the Convene Style Guide as needed.
• Manage publication production from assignment through final delivery, including proofing cycles, issue close processes, and production approvals.
• Serve as the primary editorial liaison with design, printing, and production partners to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of publication materials.
• Manage relationships with freelance writers, photographers, and contributors, including assignments, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external stakeholders to obtain content, approvals, and supporting materials necessary for publication.
• Serve as an editorial point of contact for sponsored and partner-supported content while maintaining editorial integrity and standards.
• Support the publication and distribution of content across digital platforms and collaborate with digital staff to ensure consistency between print and digital editorial products.
• Continuously evaluate and improve editorial workflows, production processes, and quality-control practices to enhance operational effectiveness.

Additional Duties And Accountabilities

• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor.
• Represent PCMA in a professional manner in all areas of responsibility, both with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and familiarization trips as needed.
• Write, edit, or contribute editorial content as needed to support publication goals and editorial priorities.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong relationship-management and communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional workflows without direct authority.
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify workflow risks and implement process improvements.
• Ability to proof accurately according to AP Style and Convene standards.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Professional demeanor when representing Convene and PCMA.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, Communications, or related field.
• Five or more years of editorial experience in magazine, trade, association, or related publishing environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing editorial workflows, production schedules, and deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience copy editing and proofreading content according to established editorial standards.
• Advanced knowledge of AP Style.
• Experience working with designers, printers, and external production partners.
• Experience managing freelancers and outside contributors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, WordPress, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign and project-management platforms.
• Experience working in a collaborative, deadline-driven publishing environment.

Physical Requirements And Environmental Conditions

• Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time in performing the work.
• Ability to walk for extended periods of time in performing the work.
• Ability to grasp objects utilizing fingers (fine motor manipulation).
• Ability to travel by air or ground transportation as required in performing the work.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.