Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Alexandria, VA (On-site)
The Managing Editor is a key leader within the media team, responsible for the day-to-day planning, production, and quality of the flagship magazine and for contributing to the broader digital and print content strategy. Reporting to the Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, this role oversees editorial workflows, manages internal and external contributors, and ensures all content meets high standards for accuracy, clarity, relevance, and voice.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the end-to-end editorial process for the flagship magazine, from story planning and assignment through production and final review.
- Collaborate closely with design, advertising, sales, and operations teams to align editorial calendars, layouts, deadlines, and sponsorship requirements.
- Perform substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading for print and digital content, ensuring consistency with the organization’s style, brand voice, and strategic goals.
- Generate, refine, and prioritize story ideas that serve the needs of convenience and fuel retailing audiences and support organizational initiatives.
- Assign, coach, and edit work from staff writers, freelancers, and subject-matter experts; provide clear, constructive editorial guidance and feedback.
- Contribute original writing for print and digital, including feature articles, profiles, news analysis, and web-only content.
- Support and help shape daily digital content, including newsletter items, web stories, long-form features, and other online assets; act as back-up editor for digital products as needed.
- Apply digital best practices—SEO, headlines, packaging, and user experience—to maximize engagement and reach across platforms.
- Use audience and performance metrics to inform content decisions, refine story framing, and improve overall impact.
- Lead or support special editorial projects and event-driven publications on tight timelines (e.g., major trade shows, industry reports, and executive education programs).
- Write and edit sponsored content in collaboration with advertisers, ensuring high editorial quality and alignment with editorial guidelines.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the convenience and fuel retailing landscape and stay current on media, publishing, and technology trends.
- Represent the media team at industry events, conferences, and other gatherings, providing on-site content coverage as assigned.
- Contribute to setting and achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) for the media division and support cross-team initiatives.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of professional editorial experience in publishing, news, trade media, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated success managing content workflows and editorial projects from concept through publication, preferably in a multi-channel media environment.
- Exceptional editing skills across substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading, with a meticulous eye for detail and story structure.
- Proven writing ability for both print and digital formats, with strong command of narrative, voice, and clarity.
- Ability to work under deadline pressure on multiple concurrent projects, with strong prioritization and adaptability.
- Experience collaborating with designers, marketers, sales teams, and external partners.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to give and receive editorial feedback effectively.
- Proficiency with editorial and design-related tools; experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) preferred, and willingness to learn new platforms.
- Familiarity with digital publishing best practices, including newsletters, web publishing, analytics, and basic SEO.
- Curiosity about emerging technologies, including AI, and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Industry knowledge of convenience stores, fueling, foodservice, or retail is a strong plus.
