Editor-in-Chief

Employment Type: Full-time, Independent Contractor

Work Model: Remote

Work Hours: US Mountain Time (MST/Arizona) alignment (Monday – Friday)

Role Overview

We are seeking an autonomous, detail-driven Editor-in-Chief to lead editorial operations and content strategy for an established regional B2B manufacturing trade publication. Connecting US precision manufacturers, suppliers, and industrial leaders across the Western United States, the publication highlights regional shop features, industry trends, technical innovations, and supply chain resources.

In this seat, you will own the publication’s voice, editorial calendar, and content production lifecycle across both print and digital editions. Combining mid-level editorial experience with strong interview skills, you will translate technical manufacturing topics (machining, metalworking, heat treating, industrial automation) into compelling, human-centered feature stories. Working closely with sales leads, layout designers, and company leadership, you will oversee contributed content, maintain publishing deadlines, apply SEO best practices, and drive audience growth across web, newsletter, and print channels.

Key Responsibilities

1. Editorial Strategy & Calendar Governance

Content Ownership: Own the regional editorial calendar, content roadmap, and publishing schedules across all print and digital editions.
Editorial Standards: Set and enforce the publication's voice, tone, grammar, and reporting standards (AP Style alignment).
Issue Curation: Select and organize feature stories, press releases, company profiles, white papers, and industry news for each scheduled issue.

2. Investigative Writing & Technical Feature Storytelling

Executive & Founder Interviews: Conduct phone and video interviews with shop owners, engineers, C-suite executives, and technical subject-matter experts.
Feature Creation: Author engaging, accurate feature stories profiling U.S. manufacturing companies, technological advancements, and industrial supply chain trends.
Technical Translation: Simplify complex precision engineering and manufacturing concepts into readable, high-value editorial content.

3. Content Management, Editing & Print Production

Copy Editing & Proofreading: Edit and proofread all internal copy, freelance contributions, press releases, and advertiser submissions prior to publication.
Recurring Sections & Buyer's Guide: Maintain and update recurring magazine sections, directory listings, and the regional Buyers Guide.
Pre-Press Layout Collaboration: Partner directly with graphic designers on page layouts, visual asset selection, and final print/digital proof sign-offs.

4. Digital Content Distribution & Audience Expansion

Multi-Channel Publishing: Manage and publish content across the publication's WordPress website, email newsletters, and social media channels.
Content Repurposing & SEO: Optimize print stories for digital discovery using basic search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, social hooks, and newsletter formats.
AI Workflow Integration: Responsibly leverage AI tools to accelerate research, topic ideation, transcription analysis, and content workflows.

5. Stakeholder & Sales Alignment

Sponsored Content Coordination: Collaborate with advertising and sales leads to coordinate sponsored features, custom content packages, and advertiser spotlights without compromising editorial integrity.
Industry Relations: Cultivate relationships with manufacturers, trade associations, PR agencies, and industrial leaders to build a strong pipeline of story leads.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Editorial Experience: 3–6 years of progressive experience in journalism, trade publishing, editorial management, or B2B content strategy.
Technical & B2B Writing Depth: Strong portfolio demonstrating ability to write compelling long-form feature stories; direct experience writing about manufacturing, engineering, industrial technology, or technical trades is strongly preferred.
Interviewing & Reporting Skills: Exceptional verbal communication and interviewing skills to extract engaging narratives from business owners and technical leads.
Publishing Tech Stack: Hands-on experience with Content Management Systems (WordPress), email marketing platforms, and social publishing tools.
Self-Direction & Deadline Management: High agency and organizational skills with a proven track record of managing multi-piece publishing schedules independently.
Schedule Alignment: Full daily availability during US Mountain Standard Time (MST/Arizona) business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior editorial experience with a regional or national B2B trade publication, magazine, or industrial media outlet.
Solid command of AP Style, technical copywriting, and basic SEO principles.

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