Associate Director, Editorial

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Lead the editorial team at WestEd, ensuring that key products are delivered punctually and adhere to stringent quality standards.

• Provide developmental editing for high-profile, complex, and sensitive nonfiction materials.

• Maintain accurate, objective, and evidence-based content standards.

• Identify structural issues, revise content for coherence and clarity, draft suggested text, and enhance readability and consistency.

• Collaborate with designers, proofreaders, and accessibility experts to prepare products for public dissemination.

• Recognize accessibility challenges and recommend inclusive modifications to documents.

• Oversee the intake process for new products and publications, evaluating their scope, complexity, and editorial support requirements.

• Estimate project timelines and scope, negotiate deadlines, and provide guidance on editorial capacity and funding.

• Distribute work across multiple projects and coordinate editing, design, proofreading, and accessibility resources.

• Manage projects using Asana, foresee potential bottlenecks, and address workflow challenges.

• Assess and improve intake, estimation, prioritization, and quality assurance processes.

• Supervise four direct reports, establish expectations, offer feedback, and support professional development.

• Conduct midyear and annual performance evaluations.

• Delegate decision-making and resolve complex or sensitive editorial challenges.

• Ensure the consistency and quality of editorial output while mentoring team members.

• Guide the responsible application of AI in the editing process.

• Participate in the hiring and onboarding process, and engage contractors as necessary.

• Communicate quality assurance expectations and clarify communication processes across the agency.

• Provide training and guidance on the responsible use of AI in writing.

• Enhance agency-wide writing through training, tools, and support.

• Address issues related to accuracy, objectivity, nonpartisanship, and evidentiary support.

• Make decisions regarding WestEd’s house style.

• Participate in the Communications leadership team.

• Edit or contribute to funding proposals, RFP responses, capacity statements, annual reports, and web content.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.

• At least 10 years of experience in positions where developmental editing of nonfiction publications was the primary responsibility.

• Experience in supervising or leading a team.

• Strong project management and prioritization abilities.

• Proficiency with project management software, preferably Asana.

• Exceptional skills in developmental editing.

• Ability to analyze complex research content and evaluate whether claims are substantiated by evidence.

• Sound judgment regarding the appropriate use of AI in editorial tasks.

• Advanced degree in education, English, public policy, or a related field, or equivalent experience (preferred).

• Knowledge of education and human development sectors, research methodologies, and federal publishing contexts (preferred).

• Experience in editing research-based publications and ensuring claims are backed by evidence (preferred).

• Proficiency in APA, CMOS, and house-style conventions (preferred).

• Familiarity with Section 508 accessibility standards in publishing (preferred).

• Must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

• Must pass a criminal background check, fingerprint validation, and education verification.

🏝️ Benefits

• 15% contribution to retirement effective from day one of employment, with immediate 100% vesting.

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account options available.

• Health and welfare benefits begin the first of the month following the hire date.

• PTO: 19 days, increasing to 21 days starting in the third year of employment.

• 12 paid holidays each year.

• Life insurance valued at 3x gross salary, with a maximum coverage of $500,000.

• Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases.

• Annual incentive programs.

• Professional development opportunities available.

• Mentorship program offered.

• Option for remote work based on employee convenience, subject to position or project requirements.