Title: Editor-in-Chief/Business Manager

Department: Publications

Reports to: President of SFWA

Compensation: Salary Commensurate with Experience – no benefits

Location: Telecommuting position within the United States

Job Summary

The SFWA Bulletin Editor is the official publisher of one of SFWA’s key communications vehicles. The editor’s responsibilities include informing members and the external subscribers of relevant organization and public news, activities and accomplishments on the set distribution schedule, as well as shaping and maintaining the organization’s reputation. This critical position is responsible to help facilitate SFWA’s goals and mission statement of informing, supporting, promoting, defending and advocating for its members. This will be a part-time contracted position,with a review period and annual renewal. This position will directly report to the President of SFWA, Inc.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

• Manage paid staff/volunteers of publication
• Establish and maintain deadline schedules
• Collect relevant organization news, events, and activities that can be shared publicly
• Solicit topics and columnists that fit within vision of the Bulletin
  • Review queries and articles submissions
  • Prepare, distribute and collect contracts for contributors and artists
  • Edit features and regular columns
  • Provide columnists and feature authors with edited proofs
  • Apply corrections/additions in line with editorial vision
  • Appropriately publicize our publishing opportunities, both within the membership and among other likely sources of qualified writers
• Ensure maintenance and adherence to the Bulletin style guide
• Choose cover art for each issue that is line with SFWA standards
• Participate in proofing and review process with select volunteer and board members
• Work with SFWA Chief Financial Officer to:
  • Set subscription costs for non-members
  • Contract fulfillment with authors, artists, printers, staff (if applicable), etc.
  •  Submit The Bulletin’s annual budget for Board approval
• Retain both electronic and paper versions of finished magazine for archival purposes and submit copies of both production and final files for each issue to the Operations Manager
• Work with SFWA web-content manager to facilitate updated content for the SFWA website
• For Electronic versions:
  • Oversee that layout is produced in popular formats for e-readers and ready for print-on-own functionality
  • Work with Operations Manager or Subscription fulfillment company to maintain subscriber lists
• For Paper Editions:
  • Work with printer to ensure cost effective methods of printing and distribution
  • Solicit printing bids from no less than three printers each year to reduce printing costs
  • Work with Operations Manager or Subscription fulfillment company to maintain “opt-in” subscriber lists

Minimum Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience editing a nonfiction magazine or equivalent experience
• Experience in electronic and paper formatting and distribution
• Experience in writing RFPs to maintain cost-effective operations

Abilities Required

• Excellent communication skills
• Strong command of the written word
• Design and presentation skills
• The ability to work individually and within a team environment
• Must be able to work with and represent the organization

Interested applicants should send their resumes to office@sfwa.org. 

Resume deadline: January 15th, 2014.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SFWA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.