Careers

Editor

Department Summary

Founded in 1910, Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM) is the award-winning monthly magazine of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). It is the magazine of record for the landscape architecture profession in North America, reaching more than 60,000 readers who plan and design projects valued at more than $140 billion each year. LAM is a benefit of ASLA membership, is available in both print and digital formats by subscription, and can be found in more than 250 bookstores around the world.

Position Description

Landscape Architecture Magazine’s Editor leads the publication team and is the champion of finding and telling stories of excellence in landscape architecture. In close consultation with the ASLA CEO and the Publisher, the Editor sets the strategic vision for the magazine. The Editor will be skilled in using journalism, storytelling, and imagery to highlight the impact of design on communities and sustainability. The Editor plays a key leadership role in creating, directing, interpreting, upholding, and executing the editorial standards of LAM as set by the ASLA Board of Trustees and in promoting an editorial vision that adheres to the highest standards of quality and journalistic excellence. The editorial vision will contribute to brand growth by shaping editorial strategies to ensure relevance to the reader, creating a compelling investment opportunity for advertisers, and attracting next-generation readers. The Editor is responsible for generating and assigning distinctive story ideas and managing a team that assigns and edits ambitious, thought-provoking stories that encompass the range of issues, projects, and ideas in the landscape architecture profession.

Key Responsibilities

The Editor has overall responsibility for each issue of LAM from assignment through publication, setting its tone and editorial direction while also maintaining internal policies for all LAM content distribution. The Editor manages an internal editorial and production team as well as a portfolio of freelance journalists and photographers, and oversees the publication's operations and policies in a variety of digital and physical formats.

Other duties:

• Determining, with the Art Director, the look and feel of the publication; setting the editorial calendar and assuring that editorial integrity is maintained while collaborating with the sales and marketing departments; assuring that every issue consistently follows established standards and measures; and promoting content quality and consistency through layout, design, style, and tone.
• Connecting weekly with members of the profession and maintaining a high level of education on current issues through a variety of channels, including in-person meetings, correspondence, social media, focus groups, and readership data; identifying critical issues and setting the editorial agendas accordingly, which includes monitoring trends and consulting, reviewing mobile and web-based metrics, and other feedback.
• Managing the monthly meeting of the Editorial Advisory Committee and attending such other special study groups or task force meetings as appropriate; analyzing and responding to reader feedback.
• Collaborating with the Publisher to identify strategic content partnerships, platforms, and distribution opportunities for the magazine (print, digital, other); providing regular communications to the CEO regarding the status of production of the magazine; advising the CEO on the evolving role of LAM in the development of the profession.
• Directing the activities of LAM staff and overseeing development of their skills and experience; collaborating with other ASLA programs and departments where needed; participating and contributing substantively to regular meetings with other ASLA directors, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Trustees (some travel required).
• Serving as a resource to the media as appropriate.

Proven Professional Experience/Qualifications

• Demonstrated publishing and editorial leadership (10+ years’ experience).
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in management and working with membership associations is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills, good judgment, business acumen and attention to detail.
• Experience balancing a heavy workload with short and long-term project deadlines, address changing priorities and works well under pressure.
• A quick learner who is familiar with issues and trends in the landscape architecture profession and in the overall design industry.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in hiring, management, promotion, collaboration and materials is a must.
• Strong critical and innovative thinking skills is essential.
• The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader with excellent written and interpersonal communication skills who is approachable and adaptable with a depth of knowledge of the publishing process – from first edit to proofread.

Interested applicants are requested to submit a cover letter and resume to HR@asla.org. Please include “Editor” in the subject line of your e-mail.

ASLA is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and maintaining an inclusive culture. We value the talents our diverse associates bring to the organization and are wholly committed to provide a culture free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions at ASLA are based on business needs and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, past or present military service, or any other status protected by laws or regulations.