Copy Editor at John Brown Media

Job description

John Brown South Africa is part of a leading global content marketing agency and is seeking to appoint a Copy Editor to support their growing client base. This position is based in Cape Town and will report directly to the Content Director.

Main Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to copy edit both a custom magazine and an in-house publication, focusing on page layout and copy flow to meet the production deadlines and production standards of said publications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Copy editing
• Styling text to fit publication tone
• Checking copy for grammatical and stylistic errors, and factual accuracy
• Ensuring client changes are implemented
• Planning ahead to meet deadlines
• Ensuring corrections are made after flatplan changes
• Checking and signing off final proofs and book proof
• Magazine produced to client expectations
• Liaising with the Afrikaans translator and ensuring all changes are relayed to them
• Updating the black book
• Editing ad-hoc publications and documents as needed
• Copy writing
• Brainstorming clever, original titles and cliché-free blurbs
• Writing copy to fill gaps in supplied text
• Compiling the Letters page
• Creative input/teamwork
• Attending and contributing to editorial meetings (planning ahead for new feature ideas)
• Alerting fellow staff members about deadline issues and planning ahead to avoid missing deadlines
• Working closely with the relevant design teams to ensure an error-free magazine goes to print

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant degree/diploma in languages, arts or journalism
• Fluency in English. Afrikaans an advantage
• At least five years’ experience in a sub-editing role in relevant environment (newspapers, magazines etc)
• Proven competence in the fluent use of relevant languages
• Knowledge of and interest in food writing
• Excellent general knowledge
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Adobe InDesign
• Sound knowledge of editorial principles and journalism ethics

Competencies:

• Excellent spelling and grammar
• The ability to meet tight deadlines
• Versatile
• Willingness to assist where needed
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Tenacity

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN IN LINE WITH JOHN BROWN’S EMPLOYMENT EQUITY POLICY

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. John Brown South Africa reserves the right not to fill the position.