Editorial Lead

Merand Recruitment; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Merand Recruitment's client is seeking an experienced Editorial Lead to guide the editorial function, developing strategic, audience-focused content that strengthens visibility, supports fundraising, and enhances partner relationships in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The role sits at the intersection of editorial, media, digital storytelling and donor communications.

The successful candidate will lead a team, translate complex information into clear narratives and oversee high-quality content

Qualifications

• Degree in journalism, communications, media studies, English or a related field.
• At least 7 years’ experience in journalism, publishing, public relations, strategic communications or a related editorial environment.
• Proven experience leading, managing and developing a team.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing content across multiple audiences, platforms and formats.
• Experience across written, digital and multimedia content.
• Strong understanding of media, audiences and content strategy.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives.
• Excellent organisational and project-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Structured, supportive leadership and coaching ability.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and take ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the editorial team with clear direction.
• Allocate and oversee editorial work, ensuring quality, accountability and timely delivery.
• Establish and maintain editorial standards, workflows and quality-control processes.
• Commission, brief and guide writers, producers and other contributors.
• Build team capability and enable increasingly independent delivery.
• Take ownership of the editorial function, reducing routine oversight required from the Chief Communications Officer.
• Identify and develop compelling stories aligned with organisational priorities.
• Develop content for diverse audiences, including governments, donors, media, partners and digital audiences.
• Produce and oversee high-quality web, social media, media, newsletter and executive content.
• Determine the most effective channels, formats and audiences for priority stories.
• Translate complex programme information, technical content and impact data into accessible, engaging narratives.
• Coordinate integrated written, visual, digital, media and donor-facing content packages.
• Work with field teams to identify stories and ensure authentic representation of people, partners and landscapes.
• Provide editorial guidance and quality control across communications outputs.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Storytelling

Writing

Content strategy

Project management

Team coaching

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Degree in journalism

Degree in communications

Degree in media studies

Degree in English

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Editorial Lead to lead the editorial function and develop strategic, audience-focused content that strengthens organisational visibility, supports fundraising, enhances partner relationships and effectively positions the organisation with governments, media, donors and key stakeholders.

The role sits at the intersection of editorial, media, digital, visual storytelling and donor communications. The successful candidate will bring strong editorial judgement, exceptional writing and storytelling skills, structured leadership and the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the editorial team, providing clear direction, feedback and practical support.
• Allocate and oversee editorial work, ensuring quality, accountability and timely delivery.
• Establish and maintain editorial standards, workflows and quality-control processes.
• Commission, brief and guide writers, producers and other contributors.
• Build team capability and enable increasingly independent delivery.
• Take ownership of the editorial function, reducing routine oversight required from the Chief Communications Officer.
• Identify and develop compelling stories aligned with organisational priorities.
• Develop content for diverse audiences, including governments, donors, media, partners and digital audiences.
• Produce and oversee high-quality web, social media, media, newsletter, case study and executive content.
• Determine the most effective channels, formats and audiences for priority stories.
• Translate complex programme information, technical content and impact data into accessible, engaging narratives.
• Coordinate integrated written, visual, digital, media and donor-facing content packages.
• Work with field teams to identify stories and ensure authentic representation of people, partners and landscapes.
• Provide editorial guidance and quality control across communications outputs.

Visibility & Planning

• Own and manage the organisational visibility calendar.
• Identify and plan key milestones, campaigns, announcements and storytelling opportunities.
• Align communications activity with organisational strategy, fundraising priorities, partner commitments and external opportunities.
• Contribute to media pitching, campaigns and major organisational communications initiatives.
• Monitor delivery, proactively addressing delays, gaps and competing priorities.
• Degree in journalism, communications, media studies, English or a related field.
• At least 7 years’ experience in journalism, publishing, public relations, strategic communications or a related editorial environment.
• Proven experience leading, managing and developing a team.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing content across multiple audiences, platforms and formats.
• Experience across written, digital and multimedia content.
• Strong understanding of media, audiences and content strategy.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives.
• Excellent organisational and project-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Structured, supportive leadership and coaching ability.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and take ownership.
• Journalism and/or publishing
• Public relations and strategic communications
• Editorial planning and quality control
• Team leadership and development

Advantageous Experience

• Conservation, development, philanthropy or purpose-driven organisations
• Agency experience
• Thought-leadership development
• Executive communications
• Media relations