A site editor manages content and maintains editorial standards for a website, working closely with executives to determine content needs and tone. They hire writers, photographers, and other content producers and may delegate tasks to sub-editors. This job requires experience in publishing and an understanding of internet media.
A site editor organizes and controls the content of a site to meet the needs of its owners and users. Magazines, newspapers and other publications use site editors to maintain editorial standards and provide a constant stream of fresh content to users. This job often requires experience in the publishing field, as well as an understanding of how Internet media works and connections with industry insiders. Some colleges and universities offer training in this area, and many website editors gain their experience on the job by working their way up through the ranks.
It is up to the site editor to maintain the publication’s editorial standards and select content that meets its mission and objectives. An editor at an online veterinary journal, for example, is interested in content on topics in veterinary science, from medical ethics to discussions of the latest developments in care. The editor works closely with key executives to determine the type of content the publication needs and the tone. It can hire sub-editors tasked with handling different sections, each focused on a specific area of interest.
Editors are responsible for finding and hiring new writers to generate content, whether they are looking for regular columnists or journalists for spot coverage of a specific issue. They also need photographers, videographers and other content producers for a multimedia site. When the site is redesigned, the site editor is usually involved in this process and can discuss topics such as layout, features, and user requests.
Website editors often delegate tasks to other people rather than handling everything themselves. Sub-editors may be directly responsible for working with writers and receiving training from the site editor. If the publication also has print representation, the site editor can work with the print editor to discuss coverage topics, special issues, and other matters that may affect print and the web. For example, a food magazine that does a desserts issue will want the site to also link to the desserts cover, to present a harmonious look to both magazine and site readers.
This work can involve long hours as the website editor often works with writers in different time zones and may need to respond to breaking news. On news sites in particular, web publishers need to move quickly to get news in response to news events around the world. This requires access to a large pool of writers who can generate stories quickly, along with maintaining a team of fact-checkers, photographers, layout editors, and others who can get those stories ready for air as quickly as possible.
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