Managing Editor - VMDAEC Communications Team and Cooperative Magazine

Do you have experience creating compelling content for use in print, digital and social media tools? Are you passionate about celebrating small-town and rural values? Do you have excellent leadership skills and business acumen? Are you looking for the chance to be creative and make a difference? Then the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives has a fantastic opportunity for you.

We seek a Managing Editor who can write compelling stories, fuel creativity, embrace technology, provide leadership and manage day-to-day operations of Cooperative Living magazine, one of the largest publications of its kind with a circulation of more than 600,000 in print and online.

The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives provides communications, legislative, regulatory, safety and training support to 16 electric cooperatives across three states. Our communications team tells the stories of the frontline heroes who keep the lights on, educates consumers about the issues facing the power industry, and communicates about how electric cooperatives are adapting to the future while holding on to the traditions that make cooperatives thrive.

The person chosen for this role will collaborate closely with our strategic communications team to create compelling content and creatively recast these stories for print, web and social media channels. They will lead a team of multi-faceted staff and freelance contributors while also producing content themselves. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications, this position will develop compelling content celebrating life in rural parts of our three-state region, educating our 2 million member-customers served by 16 electric cooperatives, and innovating to make our 80-year-old magazine Cooperative Living relevant for decades to come.

• This leadership position is in-office in Glen Allen, VA with flexibility for remote work as appropriate.
• This position requires flexibility to travel and to attend meetings and events including some during non-traditional hours, evenings and weekends.
• This employee must maintain a valid driver’s license.

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or marketing.
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in communications, marketing, or journalism, preferably with experience working on large print publications.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading and digital photography skills.
• Familiarity with writing, editing, designing, and producing communications for print, video, websites and social media.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office, Power Point, Excel and Adobe Creative Cloud software platforms.
• A mastery of Associated Press (AP) Style.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate others and engender teamwork.
• Cooperative, government or non-profit experience is a plus.

• Manage magazine production operations:
  Own the editorial and production calendar; manage schedules, staff assignments and workflows to ensure consistent, on-time publication.
• Write and edit content:
  Produce feature and section articles for Cooperative Living and contribute content adaptable for digital, social, and other Communications products.
• Oversee freelancers with accountability:
  Assign work, track drafts and manage invoicing so payment is tied to completed, approved deliverables; reduce confusion and rework.
• Align local and statewide content:
  Coordinate with member co-op communicators to improve consistency, clarify expectations and align local pages with Cooperative Living standards and priorities.
• Coordinate advertising and financial performance:
  Work with advertising and administrative staff to align editorial production with ad placement, revenue goals and overall magazine financial health.
• Support editorial direction and communications strategy:
  Work with the VP of Communications to establish and maintain the magazine’s direction and ensure it fits within the VMDAEC Strategic Communications Plan.
• Enable integrated communications projects:
  Coordinate with the Director of Strategic Communications and Digital Producer on cross-platform projects that highlight the Association and its member cooperatives.

We offer an excellent compensation package with outstanding benefits. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives in an EOE.

To apply, send resume, cover letter and writing samples or a portfolio link to Mary Soulios at