Managing Editor - School Administrator

Description

AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented and digitally fluent Managing Editor to help lead the production and operations of School Administrator, AASA’s award-winning monthly magazine and one of the most respected publications serving K-12 education leaders. 

This role is ideal for a publication professional who thrives at the intersection of editorial excellence, project management, advertising operations, digital content, and relationship building. The Managing Editor will oversee the production of both print and digital editions, coordinate print and digital advertising operations, manage vendor relationships, support the development and delivery of high-quality content across platforms, and help ensure the magazine operates with strong fiscal discipline and strategic alignment. 

Working closely with the Editor and the department head for Marketing and Communications, the Managing Editor will play a key role in ensuring School Administrator continues to serve as one of AASA’s most valued member benefits while evolving to meet the needs of today’s readers, advertisers and digital audiences. 

The successful candidate will bring strong editorial and production expertise, deep familiarity with digital advertising and digital publishing, exceptional organizational skills, budget management experience, creativity and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 

What You’ll Do 

Lead Publication Production 

• Oversee the end-to-end production of School Administrator, ensuring every issue is delivered accurately, on schedule and in alignment with AASA’s editorial, brand and quality standards. 
• Manage production timelines for print and digital editions, coordinating closely with internal staff, external vendors and contributors to ensure deadlines, specifications and deliverables are met. 

Support Editorial Excellence 

• Partner with the Editor to support editorial planning, content development, manuscript review, copyediting, proofreading and quality assurance across all publication content. 
• Help ensure the magazine’s content reflects AASA’s voice, priorities and commitment to serving school system leaders, while maintaining strong editorial standards and reader value. 

Manage Digital Content and Publishing 

• Support the production and presentation of magazine content across digital platforms, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, timely, and optimized for the reader experience. 
• Bring strong familiarity with digital publishing workflows, web content production, digital edition platforms, analytics and audience engagement practices. 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the magazine’s digital presence, improve usability, and extend the reach and impact of magazine content across AASA’s broader communications ecosystem. 

Manage Advertising Operations 

• Coordinate print and digital advertising production and placement, serving as a primary point of contact for advertisers, sales partners and internal stakeholders. 
• Ensure advertising commitments are fulfilled effectively, professionally and accurately across print and digital platforms. 
• Bring a strong working knowledge of digital advertising production, specifications, trafficking, deadlines, deliverables and performance considerations. 
• Work with the Editor, Communications and Marketing leadership, and advertising partners to support a high-quality advertiser experience while protecting the integrity and editorial standards of the publication. 

Manage Budget and Vendor Relationships 

• Manage the magazine’s operating budget in partnership with the department head for Communications and Marketing, including tracking expenses, monitoring vendor costs, supporting revenue-related processes and helping ensure the publication operates within approved budget parameters. 
• Bring experience managing a sizeable publication, communications, marketing or operational budget, with the ability to make informed recommendations related to cost, quality, efficiency and return on investment. 
• Manage relationships with printers, designers, photographers, illustrators, freelance writers, digital vendors and other external partners who contribute to the publication’s success. 
• Support vendor selection, contracting, invoicing, performance tracking and process improvement to ensure AASA receives strong value and high-quality service. 

Improve Systems and Processes 

• Maintain efficient workflows, production schedules, documentation, and quality control processes that support the consistent delivery of a high-quality publication. 
• Identify opportunities to improve coordination, reduce risk, strengthen accountability, and better integrate the magazine into the broader work of the Communications and Marketing department. 
• Help ensure the magazine functions as part of a cohesive organizational communications strategy across editorial, brand, digital, advertising and member engagement priorities. 

Requirements

What You Bring 

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, publishing, marketing, or related field. 
• Seven or more years of experience in publication production, editorial operations, magazine management, digital publishing, advertising operations, or a related field. 
• Experience managing complex print and digital publication schedules. 
• Deep familiarity with digital publishing workflows, digital content production, and cross-platform content delivery. 
• A collaborative service-oriented approach, sound judgment and commitment to excellent customer service. 
• Experience managing a sizeable budget, ideally within a publication, association, nonprofit, media, communications or marketing environment. 
• Strong copyediting, proofreading, and editorial judgment. 
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills. 
• Experience coordinating print and digital advertising operations, including production deadlines, specs, placement and fulfillment. 
• Experience working with external vendors, printers, designers, freelancers, advertisers, and digital production partners. 
• The ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail. 
• Comfort working closely with both editorial and communications/marketing leadership to ensure publication operations align with broader organizational goals. 
• A collaborative approach, sound judgment and commitment to excellent customer service. 
• A strong interest in public education, school system leadership, and mission-driven communications.