What is a Magazine Features Editor?
As a magazine features editor, you will be responsible for ensuring pieces that are submitted are topical, engaging, informative and accurate.
These openings are usually within large publishing companies that produce a whole portfolio of titles. These will include weekly and monthly consumer or lifestyle titles, otherwise known as the ‘glossies’, as well as trade titles.
Responsibilities
The role depends on the size of the publication and the nature of its content. As a magazine features editor, your main responsibilities will include:
- Choosing articles for publication and devising editorial plans.
- Brainstorming concepts for articles and editorial features.
- Coordinating meetings with writers and designers to develop and organise the magazine’s feature section.
- Hiring writers and freelancers to produce articles and stories.
- Managing the work of staff, including freelance writers, and establishing deadlines.
- Reviewing, writing, and researching feature articles.
- Revising, editing, proofreading, and refining text to ensure it meets publication standards.
- Attending pertinent events, trade shows, and conferences.
- Guaranteeing that all feature articles adhere to ethical standards and legal requirements.
Salary
Starting salaries for feature editors will vary depending on the magazine and location. For smaller magazines, you can expect to earn around £15,000, but for larger publications, this will be considerably higher between £20,000 to £40,000.
For more senior members of staff, you can expect to earn between £35,000 to £65,000. Salaries will vary depending on the size and type of the publication. You will most likely start off in a more junior position within a magazine. After this, you’ll then progress to a features editor role and earn a higher wage. According to Glassdoor the national average salary for a magazine features editor is between £33,000 to £37,000.
Working hours
You can expect to work the typical 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. However, occasional late nights or weekend work may be required if you are meeting deadlines. Hours can be flexible and usually less demanding. Part-time opportunities are available, although it is more common within smaller publications. Self-employment is rare unless you opt to do freelance work.
What to expect
As a magazine editor, you can expect to oversee the publication of a magazine to ensure the highest quality. The editor is ultimately responsible for a magazine’s content. You’ll also have to generate ideas for content and create briefs to help direct writers. The role will also involve deciding whether to commission the stories and lots of proofreading and editing.
Qualifications
You don’t require any specific qualifications to be a magazine features editor, and they are open to non-graduates. However, related degrees or qualifications will help your application stand out and demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion. You will not be able to go straight into a magazine feature editor position without previous experience, you will need to work your way up into this position.
Skills
must have skills:
- A curiosity about various subjects.
- The capacity to juggle multiple tasks at once.
- A keen eye for detail, balanced with a grasp of the broader context.
- The aptitude to adapt quickly and react to unexpected developments.
- Exceptional writing abilities.
- The ability to grasp intricate concepts and convey them simply to readers.
- The ability to accept constructive feedback.
Work experience
This area of work is a highly competitive market. Therefore, you should try and get as much experience as possible to make your application stand out.
Work experience is usually more valued than qualifications, therefore creating a portfolio of your work will help demonstrate your capabilities for the role. If you are considering magazine journalism during your time at university, there are plenty of opportunities to gain work experience while studying – such as writing for the student newspaper or local newspaper. You may also want to consider writing a personal blog to highlight your writing skills in different styles. It’s also a good idea to send speculative applications or articles to newspapers to get in front of editors. However, it’s important you do your research on the magazine to make sure the article you are putting forward is in line with their tone, the types of stories they cover and messaging.
There will be various opportunities for additional training once employed. Some of the bigger companies will offer free training courses to staff. However, it’s unlikely that smaller publishing houses will be able to offer such a package, and most of your expertise will be learnt on the job through more senior members of the team.
The largest employers in this field are major publishing companies that produce multiple titles, although job openings exist at small, independent publishers and in-house publications as well. Online magazines are also becoming an increasingly significant source of job opportunities.
Career prospects
Your initial foray into journalism is typically through a student or local newspaper or by publishing your work online. Once you have gained experience writing or working for a publication, the next step is to seek an entry-level job. Smaller publications may offer other options, such as press sub-editor, for recent graduates with writing experience. It may take several years of writing and working for a magazine before you are considered for a features editor position, though this can differ depending on the publisher.
Related Courses
BA (Hons) Journalism – 3rd-year entry
UWS’s BA Journalism will teach you everything you need to know to become a savvy, multimedia-skilled journalist and reporter. Learn the skills to drop the latest breaking news story.
Underpinned by theoretical insight into ethical and effective journalism, you’ll study news reporting, develop interview techniques, and hone your writing skills to meet the practical demands of today’s fast-paced news environment.
You’ll also have the option to specialise in either Sports or Magazine Journalism as you progress through the programme.
Other related courses
- BA (Hons) Communications and Public Relations
- BA (Hons) English literature
FAQ Summary
As a magazine features editor, you will be responsible for ensuring pieces that are submitted are topical, engaging, informative and accurate.
Starting salaries for feature editors will vary depending on the magazine and location. For smaller magazines, you can expect to earn around £15,000, but for larger publications, this will be considerably higher between £20,000 to £40,000. For more senior members of staff, you can expect to earn between £35,000 to £65,000.
You do not need any specific qualifications to be a magazine features editor and they are open to non-graduates. However, related degrees or qualifications will help your application stand out and demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion.
