What does an Editorial Assistant do?
Editorial assistants report to an editor and help plan, manage, and implement publication schedules. They work at magazine and book publication businesses, and their responsibilities combine editorial and administrative tasks including scheduling meetings, reviewing manuscripts for error, and planning publication deadlines. Editorial assistants work alongside editors to plan, implement, and manage the publication schedules. They meet with writers and agents to discuss the editorial and publication process and proofread manuscripts to identify grammatical or spelling errors.
Editorial assistants research facts and new features and maintain accuracy while collaborating with various departments to ensure smooth publication schedules. They perform administrative duties, including answering telephones, replying to correspondence, and setting up meetings. They review layouts and designs for publication covers, plan and manage monthly publication schedules, and perform fact-checking duties. Editorial assistants need a bachelor's degree in English, communications, or related fields.
- Responsible for editorial and story writing while designing and inputting content into software or systems.
- Ensure timely and appropriate development and delivery of digital and print content that conforms to editorial style.
- Execute against a vision via small, medium, and long-term projects.
- Move finished material to proper locations as directed.
- Contribute to the editorial vision and strategy that pushes forward growth, retention, discovery, and revenue generation.
- Assist maintenance personnel in troubleshooting and making repairs to press.
- Assist in producing a high-quality product according to customer specifications.
- Follow established log/training manual to ensure consistent processes.
- Create schedules, monitor deadlines, track assignments and workflows, prepare and communicate deliveries, resolve open queries, and lead status meetings.
- Create, further develop, and maintain the accuracy of project guidelines, templates, checklists, metadata, and rights clearance, working closely with and manage vendors.
- Oversee daily and weekly project workflows and meet critical adoption and partnership deadlines as directed by supervisors.
- Effectively communicate with team members to accomplish content development goals and to ensure consistency of content implementation across product type.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in English, journalism, or communications.
- Fluent in editing and loading process for materials.
- Experience with content management software.
- A natural collaborator with demonstrated sound work ethic.
- Demonstrated fluency with product knowledge.
- Can collaborate with many teams while paying attention to detail.
- Has confidence during interactions with a variety of personalities.
Editorial Assistant Salaries
Average Base Pay
Editorial Assistant Career Path
Learn how to become an Editorial Assistant, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Editorial Assistant Insights
Springer Nature“Everyone is passionate and interesting and I have made quite a few real friends here.”
Penguin Random House “I was able to read many cool manuscripts and book proposals from some influential people and amazing established authors”
Mango Publishing“It was so sad to see valuable and talented people let go in as little as a week.”
Arizent“Some exciting new projects depending on what team you're on and how well said team is performing.”
Caxton and CTP Group“No career path development or performance review and acknowledgement for those working hard and performing duties adequately.”
“Too much manipulation in salary right from starting of the employment till end of the employment.”
Berkeley Pharma Tech“Everyone I worked with was helpful and respectful.”
Rupa Publications“I am glad to have been given the opportunity to work and get trained at Rupa Publications.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of an Editorial Assistant
- Editor
- Copywriter
- Writer
- Managing Editor