Editor, The American Gardener

Position Summary

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) seeks a passionate, creative Editor as a key member of the AHS Leadership Team responsible for publishing a bi-monthly magazine for home gardeners and horticultural professionals. The Editor works closely with the AHS leadership team and a national Editorial Advisory Board (EAB).

The Editor manages the content and oversees design and production of AHS’ award-winning, flagship publication The American Gardener (TAG). The Editor plans, develops, and produces a magazine that educates and informs readers on a range of national horticultural topics and strategically reflects and promotes the Society’s mission, programs, and brand. AHS publishes The American Gardener magazine six times per year as a primary membership benefit, which is highly valued by members. The Editor reports to the President/CEO.

About The American Horticultural Society

Founded in 1922, the AHS is a national organization with 22,000 members. Our national programs include Lifelong Learning educational sessions, the Great American Gardeners Awards, the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, a Travel Study program, and a Reciprocal Garden Network. The AHS website (www.ahsgardening.org), which will be re-launched in the summer of 2024, offers resources to horticulturists, gardeners, and other constituents. AHS maintains an active presence across multiple social media platforms.

The Society is headquartered at River Farm, a 26-acre garden property overlooking the Potomac River in Alexandria, VA. By joining AHS’ outstanding team of professionals, the Editor will support AHS’ mission of inspiring a culture of gardening and horticultural practices that sustains healthy, beautiful communities and a livable planet.

Responsibilities

While there may be other job-related responsibilities and tasks, this job description is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the position. 

• Develop and implement editorial strategies to drive audience engagement, growth, and loyalty. 
• Create compelling and diverse content that can be leveraged across various social media platforms to maximize reach and impact.
• Identify and implement innovative approaches to storytelling that engage more diverse audience segments.
• Oversee planning, development, and timely production of a bi-monthly, four-color membership magazine viewed as one of the organization’s primary communication platforms with the AHS membership.
• Communicate proactively with the CEO and departmental directors to ensure strategic inclusion of AHS programs, mission, and other activities.
• Supervise two editorial staff members in development and production of magazine and other projects. Set priorities, oversee project flow, and monitor employee performance.
• In consultation with Advisory Board and editorial staff, develop article ideas, assign articles to freelance writers, negotiate pay for articles and rights purchased, and maintain contact with contributors.
• Create annual editorial calendar.
• Develop, prepare, and manage annual budgets for magazine department functions.
• Review, revise, and edit manuscripts, articles, and other materials as needed.
• Write articles or columns, as needed.
• Select and evaluate vendors.
• Coordinate search and interview process for hiring new editorial staff, including editorial interns each year.
• Ensure all journalistic content meets AHS standards of accuracy, integrity, and transparency.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and digital publishing trends to continually improve the magazine's online presence and engagement.
• Look for opportunities to innovate around the AHS mission.

Other Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate overall communications style and format and ensure consistency with organizational branding.
• Assist other departments, as needed, with planning, editing, and proofreading of brochures, mailings, and other publications.
• Participate as a Leadership Team member of the AHS staff in regular meetings, planning, budgeting, and operations.
• Regularly attend major garden industry and garden communication events for networking, article idea generation, and recruiting potential contributors.
• Act as liaison to Book Awards Committee.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in journalism, English, or related field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in magazine editing or related field.
• Understanding of digital media (including SEO), social media, and emerging digital platforms. Experience with digital content creation, a plus.
• Prior horticultural coursework or practical experience with gardening practices, environmental science, or garden-related publications a plus.
• Experience balancing short and long-term project deadlines while remaining flexible.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal skills. High attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage and supervise on-site, hybrid, and remote employees.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Acrobat. Experience with Adobe Indesign, a plus.

The Editor of The American Gardener is a full-time salaried position. AHS offers generous vacation, holidays, individual health, dental, vision, and 403b benefits. The position is typically based in Alexandria, VA, but has the possibility for a remote or hybrid option.