Managing Editor - Asterisk Journal

Deadline

Applications for this position have closed.


Position description

Asterisk is looking for a Managing Editor who will work closely with the Editor in Chief to shape the identity of Asterisk.

Asterisk is a new quarterly journal for people who want our species to see the 22nd century. Our goal is to provide clear writing and clear thinking about the world's most pressing problems and their solutions – from emerging technologies and new forms of governance to global poverty and the next pandemic. We're for Bayes' theorem, acknowledging our uncertainty, weird hypotheticals, and well constructed sentences. We're against easy answers, comfortable certainties, lazy metaphors, and the end of life as we know it.

Asterisk is fiscally sponsored by the Centre for Effective Altruism, and salary and benefits are managed by the Centre for Effective Altruism, but we are an independent organisation and retain full editorial oversight.

About the role

We're looking for someone who combines strong organisational skills and attention to detail with editorial taste and an eye for writing that works through complicated questions and conflicting data to paint a clearer picture of the world.

Key responsibilities:

  • Oversee production of the quarterly magazine, coordinating with writers, artists, and printer and managing contracts and invoicing for freelancers
  • Maintain a production calendar and ensure that all deadlines are met
  • With EIC, conduct substantive edits on articles, interviews, and other content
  • With EIC, develop copy and design standards
  • Supervise copy editors and fact checkers

Who is suited for this role?

If you're excited to help build and launch a little magazine of big ideas, you are encouraged to apply. Our ideal candidate has experience in project management or operations, familiarity with magazine production, and a sincere interest in humanity's long-term future. That said, we don't require any particular background for this position.

Desired skills and qualifications:

  • Excellent organisational skills and the proven ability to coordinate and manage scheduling for large projects.
  • Flexibility. We're still a (very) small organisation, and this role may require taking on various ad hoc tasks as we expand.
  • A probabilistic mindset. Reasoning better under uncertainty is one of our core values, and we're looking for people who feel comfortable thinking in terms of reducing error rather than deterministic certainties.
  • The capacity to take on a range of editing projects, from copy-editing and maintaining house style to substantively shaping pieces.
  • Curiosity. You don't need to know the ins and outs of the latest arguments about gene drives or artificial intelligence, but you should have the interest and desire to get up to speed quickly in a wide variety of topic areas.
  • Familiarity and engagement with the effective altruism movement

Salary, benefits and location

This position is a full-time role, based in the San Francisco Bay area. We prefer applicants who will be able to work in person from our office in Berkeley at least some of the time, but the role can be fully remote.

The starting salary range is $70,000-$130,000, depending on location and previous experience. There may be flexibility in salary for exceptional candidates with significant experience.

Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible work hours, a $6,270 annual professional development allowance, a $6,270 mental health support allowance, extended parental leave, ergonomic equipment, 25 days of paid vacation, and more.

Application

We’ll consider applications as we receive them. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.

To apply (click below), you will need to submit your resumé, a cover letter, and a writing sample. After considering your written application, we may ask you to complete a brief, paid work trial.

We are happy to consider applicants from overseas and may consider sponsorship if needed. CEA and the independent organisations that we fiscally sponsor such as Asterisk serve a global community, and our team works with people and organisations all over the world. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, and we encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially encourage applications from women, gender minorities, and people of colour who are enthusiastic about contributing to our mission. We are an equal opportunity employer.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, or have any other questions about applying, please contact callum@centreforeffectivealtruism.org.