Editorial Lead

Merand Corbett & Associates; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Merand Corbett & Associates in Stellenbosch is seeking an Editorial Leader to drive strategy and lead the editorial team across all channels.

The role focuses on developing compelling stories for diverse audiences, maintaining standards, and coordinating content packages with field teams.

Strong writing, leadership and project management are essential; experience in public relations or journalism is preferred.

Qualifications

• Degree in journalism, communications, media studies, English or related field.
• 7+ years in journalism, publishing, PR or editorial environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing a team.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Experience developing content across 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 narratives.
• Excellent organisational and project-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Structured, supportive leadership and coaching ability.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop editorial team with clear direction and feedback.
• Oversee editorial work ensuring quality, accountability and timely delivery.
• Establish editorial standards, workflows and quality-control processes.
• Commission, brief and guide writers and contributors.
• Build team capability for independent delivery.
• Own editorial function with reduced oversight from CCO.
• Identify and develop compelling stories aligned with priorities.
• Develop content for diverse audiences including governments, donors, media and partners.
• Produce and oversee high-quality web, social media, newsletters and case studies.
• Translate complex programme information into engaging narratives.
• Coordinate integrated content packages across channels.
• Work with field teams to ensure authentic representation of people and landscape.
• Provide editorial guidance and quality control across outputs.
• Own organisational visibility calendar and plan milestones and campaigns.
• Align activities with strategy, fundraising and external opportunities.
• Contribute to media pitching and major communications initiatives.
• Monitor delivery and address delays and competing priorities.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Team management

Content strategy

Storytelling

Writing & editing

Cross-platform content

Education

Bachelor or equivalent in journalism/communications

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership

• 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.

Editorial Strategy & Content

• 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.

Minimum Requirements

• 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.

Essential Experience

• Journalism and/or publishing
• Public relations and strategic communications
• Content strategy
• 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
• Newsroom experience
• Media relations
  ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED