WHO: Actors’ Equity Association

POSITION: Publication/Website Content Editor

DESCRIPTION: Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the national union which represents more than 49,000 professional stage actors and stage managers, seeks to fill a newly created in-house position, Publication/Website Content Editor. This position will report to the National Director of Communications and is a core function of the Communications Department.

The Publication/Website Content Editor will direct the content on the Union’s public website as well as the publication of Equity News (published 9x a year), both of which are key communications outlets to the membership. From creating content for both the website and Equity News, to playing a leadership role in the upcoming transition bringing production elements for Equity News in-house, the Editor will, along with the National Communications Department, work to inform the membership about the Union’s goals, benefits, services, and policies to instill pride and loyalty. In short, this is a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-dirty editing job, involving everything from rewriting entire articles to making sure the punctuation is perfect.

This position can be located in one of the three office cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles)

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Communications Department and various stakeholders within the Association to develop long range editorial focus for both Equity News and the website
• With the National Director of Communications, create and execute a strategy to bring production of Equity News in-house.
• Generate interesting and educational story ideas, considering Union goals and audience appeal.
• Oversee the full production cycle of each Equity News issue from initial editorial outline to final drafts and layouts.
• Liaise with graphic designer, printer, and mailing house to deliver a quality final version on time.
• Create and maintain an editorial calendar which considers Council-mandated content, legal notices, and time sensitive election material.
• Identify and recruit individual contributors for special interest topics. Guide and edit contributors with regard to deadlines and content focus.
• Prepare, write, rewrite, proof, fact-check, and edit copy, including member submissions and Letters to the Editor.
• Make story and photograph assignments.
• Identify and report news on the website; ensure web content is accurate and timely.
• Plan and allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to union priorities and budget parameters.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Equity News Committee.

Skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Excellent, demonstrated writing, interview and editing skills required
• Proven ability to be a successful project manager required
• Able to manage and meet multiple deadlines required
• Demonstrated knowledge of typography, layout, color, images and interactivity impact overall design required
• Ability to communicate and, at times, execute visual ideas required
• Excellent interpersonal skills required
• Knowledge and experience in website content and HTML formatting required
• Knowledge of the acting profession and theatre industry
• Proficiency in industry standard desktop publishing software, e.g. InDesign, Publisher, QuarkXPress, and PagePlus preferred
• Ability to work in high-energy, deadline-driven environment
• Four-year relevant degree required Degree in journalism or communications preferred
• Five years of relevant experience desired
• A degree in journalism or communications. Five years of relevant experience desired

Compensation/ Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Excellent family health benefits (medical, dental, and optical)
• Employer funded defined benefit pension plan
• 401K

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing samples, and design/ layout samples to easternjobs@actorsequity.org. Please include salary history and salary requirements in cover letter.