Editor Job at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge

Overview

EDITOR, MIT PRESS, will lead the editorial direction of The MIT Press Reader, the Press’s in-house digital magazine, ensuring it maintains the highest editorial standards while connecting with an intellectually curious readership.

Responsibilities include curating, developing, and expanding The Reader's content to effectively showcase the breadth of the Press’s publishing program; curating monthly content for The Reader, including selecting / positioning key backlist and frontlist titles; author outreach and content development, identifying and editing excerpts; commissioning original essays that respond to current events, provide historical context for timely issues, and engage with broader cultural and intellectual conversations; producing Q&As; ensuring quality and alignment with voice, strategy, and brand; identifying and pursuing syndication opportunities for Reader content, fostering relationships with media outlets that republish our stories; expanding audience reach through targeted outreach; and promoting content across key channels, including social media and the MIT Press Reader newsletter.

Responsibilities

• Lead the editorial direction of The MIT Press Reader and maintain high editorial standards.
• Curate, develop, and expand The Reader's content to showcase the breadth of the Press’s publishing program.
• Curate monthly content for The Reader, including selecting and positioning key backlist and frontlist titles.
• Engage in author outreach and content development: identify and edit excerpts.
• Commission original essays responding to current events, providing historical context for timely issues, and engaging with broader cultural and intellectual conversations.
• Produce Q&As and other formats as appropriate.
• Ensure quality and alignment with voice, strategy, and brand.
• Identify and pursue syndication opportunities for Reader content; foster relationships with media outlets that republish our stories.
• Expand audience reach through targeted outreach; promote content across key channels, including social media and the MIT Press Reader newsletter.

Qualifications

• REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree; a minimum of three years of experience writing and editing for digital publications; strong editorial judgment; excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas for a general readership; familiarity with AP style, fact-checking, and best practices for digital magazine publishing; proven ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects; an instinctive understanding of how to engage audiences and promote audience growth; established relationships with media professionals; experience hosting podcasts including planning, editing, and facilitating conversations with authors; and experience with SEO best practices.
• PREFERRED: Familiarity with WordPress; basic design skills in Photoshop or comparable software; and knowledge of the publishing industry, including its marketing strategies and processes.