Editorial Assistant

Theartgorgeous; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 223,200 - 334,800; Full time

Job summary

A prominent contemporary art institution in Cape Town is seeking an Editorial Assistant to provide day-to-day editorial and administrative support. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience in publishing. This role involves editing, proofreading, and managing various editorial processes, working closely with artists and designers. Candidates should have a strong passion for contemporary art and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in publishing or editorial work.
• Impeccable verbal and written language skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a creative environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and editorial support to the Managing Editor.
• Manage the editorial calendar and production schedules.
• Conduct research to support curatorial texts and essays.

Skills

Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills

Ability to adjust writing style for different audiences

Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities

Strong communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe InDesign

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, Art History, Communications, Publishing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe InDesign

Job description

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Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a not-for-profit institution that exhibits, collects, preserves, and researches contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enriching programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and strives for access for all. The museum’s galleries feature rotating, temporary exhibitions with a dedicated space for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the Centre for Art Education, the Centre for Moving Image, and a Project Space for emerging artists. It opened to the public in September 2017.

Located in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront, one of Africa’s most visited cultural and historical sites, Zeitz MOCAA is poised to become the premier arts institution on the continent, with Cape Town positioned as an international cultural hub.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

The Editorial Assistant provides day‑to‑day administrative and editorial support to the Managing Editor. This incumbent will gain hands‑on experience in art publishing and communications, working across monographs, catalogues, exhibition copy, newsletters, didactics, and other editorial outputs. The role supports the full editorial and publishing process including copy‑editing and proofreading; managing schedules and files; liaising with curators, designers, artists, and external partners such as printers, binders, distribution channels; and helping ensure the smooth delivery of high‑quality publications and content that reflects the museum’s curatorial vision.

Editorial and Publishing Support

• Editing, proofreading, and fact‑checking exhibition texts, artist bios, press materials, newsletters, and digital copy.
• Rework and adapt texts for different audiences and formats.
• Coordinate logistics for museum publications, including gathering texts, images, permissions, and supporting materials.
• Manage distribution of proofs and final texts to internal teams, artists, and external partners.
• Help prepare publication texts and layouts for design, ensuring documents are style‑guide compliant and print‑ready.
• Support archiving and filing of editorial materials and publishing outputs.

Administration and Coordination

• Maintain the editorial calendar, timelines, and production schedules under guidance of the Managing Editor.
• Organise text files, and image assets; track image rights and permissions as required.
• Schedule publication meetings; follow up on action items.
• Process editorial quotes, invoices, contracts, and writers’ agreements; liaise with finance as needed.
• Assist with correspondence with writers, translators, designers, and external publishers/distributors.

Research and Content Development

• Conduct research to support curatorial texts, speeches, and essays.
• Prepare reference materials, bibliographies, colophons, and assist with maintaining the style guide.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices in museum publishing.

Person specification

The ideal candidate is highly organised, detail‑oriented, and comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a creative environment. This candidate combines a love of language with visual awareness, and takes pride in producing accurate, polished work. A background or keen interest in contemporary art, publishing, or museum communications will set you apart.

As a cutting‑edge equal opportunity institution, Zeitz MOCAA celebrates diversity in all its forms including gender, race, creed, and orientation. Zeitz MOCAA is committed to Employment Equity and particularly welcomes applications from suitably qualified Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) for this position.

What you’ll need to be successful in the role:

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree in English, Art History, Communications, Publishing, or related field.

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in publishing, editorial.
• Demonstrated ability to manage detail‑oriented tasks and meet deadlines.

Requirements

• In English at a professional, academic and educational level.
• Impeccable verbal and written language skills.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with close attention to detail.
• Ability to adjust writing style for different audiences (academic/curatorial, educational, public).
• Enthusiasm for storytelling, contemporary art, museum publishing, and Zeitz MOCAA’s mission.
• Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities; able to prioritise competing deadlines.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with Adobe InDesign a plus.
• Proactive, collaborative, able to give and receive feedback, and able to work effectively with colleagues across departments; Curatorial, Institutional Advancement, Art Education, and external partners.
• Ability to organise and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects with high efficiency.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to adjust to changing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Resourceful and independent, but comfortable working within the framework of an integrated fundraising program and team‑oriented environment.