Executive Editor

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is August 13, 2026 at 11:59PM.

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.  Term: 1 year

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Executive Editor provides editorial leadership and operational direction for Imprint, WUSA's student publication, overseeing print, digital, social media, and video content. The role is responsible for setting and maintaining editorial standards, mentoring and developing editorial staff and volunteers, and ensuring the publication operates in alignment with WUSA's strategic direction and Student Publications' policies.

Reporting to the Student Publications Manager, the Executive Editor leads the day-to-day editorial operations of Imprint, including content planning, production workflows, and publication deadlines across all platforms. The role fosters a creative, inclusive, and learning-centred environment for staff and volunteers, and serves as a key resource for editorial guidance, standards, and decision-making.

Key Accountabilities

Strategy

• Leads the execution of Imprint's editorial strategy under the guidance of the Publications Manager, ensuring content direction remains relevant, engaging, and aligned with the interests of the University of Waterloo student community.

• Monitors campus, national, and industry trends to identify opportunities that strengthen the quality and reach of Student Publications' editorial and multimedia output.

• Establishes and communicates clear editorial goals, production standards, and performance expectations for staff and volunteer contributors.

• Conducts regular content audits and implements feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the quality and relevance of published content across all platforms.

Operational

• Manage and oversee print, online operations, social media, and video content, ensuring production timelines and publication deadlines are met consistently.

• Complete special projects as assigned by the Publications Manager.

• Assist other staff in ensuring the proper maintenance of the Student Publications’ office

Editorial Oversight

• Provide guidance on matters of research, style, story development, and content creation to editorial staff and volunteers

• Ensure print content is ready for printing deadlines and digital content is ready for publication deadlines.

• Reviews and flags all editorial content prior to publication, ensuring accuracy, quality, and compliance with Student Publications' standards and journalistic practices.

• Recruit, train, and mentor a team of talented writers, editors, and content creators.

*All employees of the University are expected to follow University and departmental health and safety policy, procedures and work practices at all times. Employees are also responsible for the completion of all health and safety training, as assigned. Employees with staff supervision and/or management responsibilities will ensure that assigned staff abide by the above, and actively identify, assess and correct health and safety hazards, as required.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Degree in communications, journalism, or related field, or relevant experience

• Additional experience in teaching and training, operational management, human resources management, conflict management, advertising, and organizational communication is an asset

Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in journalism.

• 1 year of supervisory experience, preferably managing newsroom personnel

• Experience working for a volunteer driven or students led organization is an asset.

• Experience in digital storytelling, including video production and editing for social media and online platforms.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Professional understanding of journalism principles, media ethics, and editorial best practices, with strong attention to detail and editorial judgment.\

• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to edit clearly and provide constructive, actionable feedback to writers and contributors at varying skill levels.

• Proficiency with social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and X (Twitter), and an understanding of content strategy across these channels.

• Experience creating and editing short- and long-form video content, including shooting, editing, captioning, and platform-specific optimization.

• Familiarity with video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or CapCut.

• Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Familiarity with WordPress or comparable content management systems.

• Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects requiring accuracy, consistency, and the ability to work effectively with contributors who have competing priorities.

• Strong diplomatic and active listening skills, combined with sound analytical and reasoning abilities.

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound editorial judgment in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.