At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the editorial vision and strategy for a respected online culture magazine.
- Company: Established online culture magazine with a strong reputation and engaged audience.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, senior influence, and a chance to shape editorial direction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a publication's growth and evolution in the cultural landscape.
- Qualifications: Senior editorial leadership experience and strong strategic thinking skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team during an exciting period of organisational growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re seeking a director-level editorial leader to define, elevate, and embed editorial vision during a period of growth and organisational reset. This is not a hands-on editor role. It’s a senior, outcome-led engagement focused on editorial direction, standards, positioning, and long-term strength, with day-to-day delivery handled by the wider team.
The organisation is a well-established online culture and ideas magazine, known for intelligent, thoughtful editorial across arts, culture, society, and contemporary life. It has a loyal, engaged audience and a strong editorial reputation, with ambitions to sharpen its positioning and evolve its editorial model as it enters its next phase. Editorial credibility, voice, and integrity sit at the heart of the brand. This role exists to ensure that as the organisation grows, its editorial output remains coherent, confident, and strategically aligned, rather than diluted or reactive.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Defining and stewarding the editorial vision, tone, standards, and long-term direction of the publication
- Leading a strategic reset of editorial structure, workflows, and accountability
- Providing senior oversight, review, and sign-off to ensure quality, consistency, and editorial rigour
- Acting as trusted editorial counsel to the Directors and senior leadership
- Protecting and strengthening editorial voice, reputation, and audience positioning
- Contributing senior editorial thinking to commercial and partnership conversations at concept stage
How this role operates:
- Outcome-led, not hours-led
- Focused on strategy, briefing, delegation, guidance, and review
- Editorial execution is delivered by staff writers, editors, and freelancers
- Limited hands-on delivery only where required to unblock, model best practice, or address critical gaps
Ideal background:
- Senior editorial leadership experience within culture, media, or publishing
- Proven ability to define and embed editorial strategy at brand or publication level
- Strong editorial judgement across quality, tone, reputation, and audience impact
- Comfortable operating at director level and influencing senior stakeholders
Contract for services: Flexible time commitment (estimated up to four days per week). Senior, high-trust role with real influence over editorial direction.
If you’re an experienced editorial leader who enjoys shaping vision, raising standards, and helping a respected cultural publication move confidently into its next chapter, I’d love to speak!
Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in London employer: Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and engage with people on social media. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their editorial vision and be ready to discuss how you can elevate it. We want to see your passion for their mission and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led editorial teams or projects in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide others while maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Strategic Side: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in defining and embedding editorial strategies. We want to see how you've shaped the vision and direction of previous publications, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Keep It Coherent and Confident: Your application should reflect the coherent and confident editorial voice we value. Use clear language and a strong tone that aligns with our brand. Remember, this is about showcasing your editorial judgement and understanding of audience impact.
Tailor Your Approach: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your written submission to reflect our magazine's focus on culture and contemporary life. Show us you understand our audience and how you can elevate our editorial standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd
✨Know the Publication Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the magazine's past issues and current editorial direction. Familiarise yourself with their tone, style, and key themes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your vision aligns with theirs.
✨Prepare Your Strategic Vision
Think about how you would define and elevate the editorial vision for the publication. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you would implement to enhance their editorial standards and audience engagement. This shows you’re not just a fit for the role, but that you’re already thinking ahead.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this role is about guiding a team rather than hands-on editing, be prepared to discuss your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've successfully led editorial teams, managed workflows, and maintained high standards in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to influence and inspire.
✨Engage with Their Audience
Understand who their audience is and what they value. Be ready to discuss how you would protect and strengthen the magazine's voice and reputation while appealing to its loyal readership. This insight will highlight your strategic thinking and audience-centric approach.