Part-Time Features Editor

The goal of poetryfoundation.org is twofold: To reach and engage a broad audience for poetry, and to support the Foundation’s initiatives and programs. The Features Editor helps achieve these goals by providing the editorial expertise necessary to publish smart, lively, and relevant journalism about poetry, and the publishing expertise necessary to ensure a smooth web publishing process.

The Features Editor must be a talented editor with an extensive background in journalism and literature, including English language poetry and poetry in translation. Successful candidates will also be knowledgeable about popular culture.

NOTE: This is a part-time position with the option to work remotely.

Qualifications:

Extensive experience acquiring, shaping, and editing articles for an online publication or magazine.

Highly creative writer and editor who can develop and sustain the tone and literary quality of the site.

Knowledge of classic and contemporary poetry and poetry in translation.

Detailed understanding of web publishing process, with experience working in a CMS and some knowledge of HTML.

Ability to work under a deadline and to complete administrative tasks meticulously.

Ability to do fast, accurate research.

A general talent for communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities:

Implement Online Editorial Strategy

Develop and maintain a six-month features calendar that is coordinated with key literary and cultural holidays and Poetry Foundation programs.

Pitch ideas for online features.

Acquire, assign, and edit features, including long-form essays and interviews.

Shepherd features through fact-check, copyedit, and production.

Write headlines and other display copy.

Review site analytics to define annual audience goals and web traffic and ensure published content helps meet those goals.

Coordinate Editorial Content with other Poetry Foundation Programs

Establish and maintain relationships with all other Poetry Foundation programs in order to acquire and publish content related to Foundation programming.

Maintain Tone and Literary Style of the Site

Define tone for the site through the acquisition of content and creation of copy that reaches and engages a general audience without disinteresting a literary audience.

Provide editorial oversight for all headlines, subheds, and ledes for the site, subject to final approval by Director of Digital Programs.

Research and recruit new writers for online features.

Participate in Weekly Editorial Production Process

Working with Web Producer, define and oversee weekly publishing process.

Maintain and manage features calendar, including the publication of weekly online features and acquisition of images and other media related to feature stories.