Managing Editor (Editorial Operations)

Desert Publications Inc; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 35,817 - 38,572; Full time

Job summary

Palm Springs Life is seeking an experienced Managing Editor to oversee production, workflow, and day-to-day operations of our editorial department in downtown Palm Springs. This full-time, in-office role requires strong organizational and leadership skills.

You’ll collaborate across editorial, design, advertising, and marketing teams, manage schedules, ensure quality, and maintain editorial standards. Please include work samples with your resume.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional editorial experience, preferably with a magazine, newspaper, or digital publication.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Strong copyediting skills and a thorough knowledge of AP style.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Sound editorial judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple departments.
• Comfortable using emerging AI tools to streamline editorial workflows while maintaining high standards and rigorous fact-checking.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate editorial production schedules across print, digital, and video formats.
• Lead weekly editorial meetings and monitor story progress.
• Act as liaison for cross-department editorial requests and sponsored content.
• Manage client reviews and approvals for sponsored content and custom publishing.
• Coordinate photography and videography production and scheduling.
• Maintain organized editorial assets and archives.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Project management

AP style knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

AI tools for workflows

Adobe Creative Cloud

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Project management software

Job description

Palm Springs Life is seeking an experienced, highly organized Managing Editor to oversee the production, workflow, and day-to-day operations of our editorial department.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in downtown Palm Springs. Because this role depends on daily collaboration with editors, designers, and colleagues across the company, remote or hybrid arrangements are not available.

Founded in 1958, Palm Springs Life is an independently owned, award‑winning media organization dedicated to chronicling the people, places, architecture, culture, and lifestyle of the Coachella Valley. Every month, our team produces one of the nation’s leading regional lifestyle magazines, along with digital stories, newsletters, videos, special‑interest publications, custom publishing projects, and the official Guide to Greater Palm Springs.

Success in this role requires exceptional organization, strong communication, and the ability to manage dozens of concurrent projects without losing sight of the details. Working closely with the Editor‑in‑Chief and editorial team, you’ll connect teams across the company while ensuring projects stay on schedule from concept to publication.

If you thrive on organization, enjoy solving problems, and take pride in helping great journalism come together, you’ll fit right in.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Operations

• Manage editorial production schedules and deadlines across print, digital, social, video, custom publishing, and special projects.
• Anticipate scheduling conflicts and proactively resolve production challenges before they affect deadlines.
• Lead weekly editorial meetings, monitor story progress, and follow up on assignments and deadlines.
• Manage workflow and communication between editorial, design, advertising, marketing, events, production, and other departments, serving as the primary liaison for sponsored content, custom publishing, and cross‑department editorial requests.
• Manage sponsored content and custom publishing projects from assignment through publication, working with freelance contributors, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain editorial workflow systems and project management tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve editorial processes and departmental efficiency.

Editorial Production

• Route layouts, proofs, and revisions through the editorial review process.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination for editorial projects moving between departments and external partners.
• Manage client review cycles and approvals for sponsored content and custom publishing projects across print, digital, social, and video.
• Coordinate photography and videography production and scheduling.
• Maintain organized editorial assets, archives, and shared resources.

Editorial Quality & Content

• Proofread print, digital, newsletter, sponsored, and custom publishing content.
• Fact‑check recurring editorial packages, including annual rankings such as Top Doctors and Top Dentists, directories, reference guides, and other data‑driven projects.
• Write event recaps, calendar listings, service journalism, and other recurring editorial content for print and digital.

Skills & Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional editorial experience, preferably with a magazine, newspaper, or digital publication.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Strong copyediting skills and a thorough knowledge of AP style.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Sound editorial judgment and strong problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
• Comfortable using emerging AI tools to streamline editorial workflows while maintaining high editorial standards and fact‑checking rigor.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management software is a plus.

The Ideal Candidate

You’re at your best when juggling multiple priorities, keeping projects on track, and bringing order to complexity. You communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and understand that great editorial operations are built on thoughtful planning, collaboration, and attention to detail.

To be considered for this position please include work samples with your resume.

Salary range is $26.44 - 28.85 per hour.