Editor

Description

The State Bar of Arizona seeks an Editor to lead its award-winning flagship publication Arizona Attorney Magazine. The monthly publication has been recognized for excellence nationally and regionally, including being honored numerous times as the finest bar association magazine in the country. The magazine contains news, features and columns by respected experts, and readers regularly cite it as a valued benefit that is trustworthy and reliable. It also brings in substantial advertising revenue, so candidates who have experience at publications that value strong editorial content and robust sales are ideal.

Benefits of working at the State Bar of Arizona include:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee only)
• $900 HSA funding provided by employer for individuals ($2,000 for families) 
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• 10 paid holidays per year + 2 additional floating holidays
• 8 hours of paid volunteer hours per year
• Paid parental leave up to 8 weeks
• 401(k) with employer match
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement for gym membership
• A community of friendly and collaborative co-workers

We invite you to apply and join our team in delivering top-notch legal journalism! To hear more about the mission of the SBA, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTd_T8s6BNw 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under minimal supervision, is responsible for overseeing the overall editorial content and direction of Arizona Attorney Magazine, as well as overseeing its daily operations. Responsible for supervising various individuals to create a strong publication for members. Results and services of position may impact workflow or service of the organization. Responsible for working with staff to draft content and manage Arizona Attorney-related products, including the Daily 5 newsletter and the Arizona Attorney Daily blog website.

Duties and Responsibilities

Oversees all editorial content for Arizona Attorney; develops ideas, manages scheduling, reviews edits, and assigns stories. This includes:

• Copy-edit all text;
• Ensure that all text elements meeting editing quality standards;
• Double-check any necessary facts;
• Proofread all text;
• Create and maintain style guides;

All editorial copy flows through position. 

• Makes assignments and follow up on their progress. Works closely with Production Manager and Art Director to make sure that their responsibilities for each issue are going according to plan
• Coordinates with the Editorial Board to review submitted articles for publication in the magazine. Responsible for related administration associated with serving as liaison to the Editorial Board.
• Determines the editorial direction of their magazine. Develops both content and overall focus for each issue including which stories will be covered and who the writers will be. Advise writers about their goals and tone for each piece.
• Identifies and develops editorial content ideas that fit the magazine mission and philosophy, including identifying trends and issues important to readers.
• Creates an annual editorial calendar and works to expand the magazine’s presence on the Internet and in social media, as well as in cooperation with the State Bar website and other electronic products as created.
• Reports and writes magazine articles, including feature stories and profiles. Covers law-related events in-person to be reported in the magazine or online.
• Uses best journalistic practices to contact and interview sources and to report accurately and fairly.
• Stays current on new developments in State Bar governance and policy and in national and local legal trends.
• Collaborates with the advertising function on initiatives, online and in the printed version of Arizona Attorney magazine, to benefit readers and advertisers.
• Creates headlines, captions and blurbs.
• In order to coordinate all editorial copy, works with production to ensure that deadlines are met and art to discuss illustration, photo layout, and overall design. As the leader of the magazine, serves as a liaison and mentor to other staff.
• Develops and manages the magazine budget.
• As needed, assists other departments and staffers on editing and copyediting tasks, including for the annual Convention materials.
• In coordination with Human Resources, hires, trains, develop, and appraises staff effectively.
• Works independently and/or within a team on special and nonrecurring and ongoing projects
• Performs all other related duties, as assigned.            

Requirements

Education and/or Experience Required

Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in journalism, communications, English or related-field) required plus three or more years experience serving in an editorial role.

Skills and Abilities

• Performs all duties in compliance with internal procedures and external regulations.  Is responsible for bringing compliance issues to the attention of management.
• Must have excellent writing and grammar skills; have command over language; excellent editing skills and editorial judgment; and strong proofreading skills.
• Ability to convey complex subject matter clearly and engagingly.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos.
• Thorough knowledge of printing process and terminology, with the ability to resolve printing problems.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations (e.g., callers) in a professional and friendly manner.  Must have excellent customer-service skills.
• Work requires continual attention to detail in composing, typing and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Some analytical ability is required in order to gather and summarize data for reports.
• Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.  Position requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy. 
• Must be able to perform mathematical functions (e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing).
• Must be team oriented but able to work independently on occasion.

Model the behaviors expected of all SBA employees by:

• Cultivating a positive work environment.
• Prioritizing and setting manageable goals.
• Being efficient with time at work.
• Communicating effectively with management, staff, members, clients, visitors, and the public.
• Being flexible and taking criticism constructively.
• Maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Computer Skills

Microsoft windows environment with Office Suite to include formatting and production of documents and reports.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Required:

• Must have and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License, maintain automobile insurance coverage and have access to an automobile.

Other

Regular attendance is required.  Additional hours including weekends may be required on a regular basis to fulfill duties of position.  At times, individual must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with ability to handle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and manual dexterity in combination with eye/hand coordination.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.