Managing Editor

About Farm Action

Farm Action is a farmer-led watchdog organization exposing corporate power in food and agriculture.

We investigate how a handful of powerful corporations shape agriculture and food markets, from the prices farmers receive to the choices consumers have at the grocery store. Through research, public education, storytelling, and policy work, we make these problems visible, hold corporations and government accountable, and fight for fairer food and farm policies.

Position Overview

Farm Action is seeking a Managing Editor to lead the organization’s editorial workflow and ensure public-facing materials are clear, accurate, timely, and grounded in Farm Action’s farmer-led voice.

This role is ideal for a highly skilled writer, editor, and communications thinker with strong project management skills, sharp editorial judgment, and experience leading complex content from idea to publication. The Managing Editor will help translate complex policy and research materials into clear public communications by thinking through the audience, necessary background, message, format, and channel. They will oversee day-to-day production, edit materials across platforms, and make sure content moves smoothly from assignment to publication.

The Managing Editor reports to the Chief Operating Officer and supervises the Senior Communications Manager and Communications Manager. The role also works closely with the President and Research and Policy team.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership and Quality Control

• Serve as Farm Action’s lead editor across public-facing communications, including blogs, newsletters, press releases, reports, action alerts, social media copy, graphics copy, website content, talking points, FAQs, op-eds, and Substack drafts.
• Ensure materials are clear, accurate, well-structured, plainspoken, and consistent with Farm Action’s voice.
• Copy edit and proofread materials before publication, with close attention to factual accuracy, claims, links, formatting, style consistency, and publication details.
• Strengthen drafts by improving framing, structure, flow, clarity, and audience relevance while preserving Farm Action’s policy intent and farmer-led perspective.

Editorial Workflow and Publishing Management

• Own the communications editorial calendar and publishing workflow, including Trello processes, review steps, deadlines, approvals, and publication readiness.
• Ensure website posts, newsletters, press materials, social content, and other public materials are properly prepared, reviewed, tagged, linked, scheduled, and published.
• Help identify upcoming communications needs tied to reports, legislative moments, news cycles, partnerships, and campaign priorities so materials can be planned and produced on time.
• Flag unclear assignments, missing approvals, factual questions, messaging concerns, or process gaps early, before materials reach final review.

Writing and Content Development

• Apply editorial judgment to assigned issues, campaigns, and publications by considering the audience, background, message, format, and channel.
• Draft, edit, or oversee materials that translate Farm Action’s research, policy analysis, and campaign priorities into accessible public-facing content.
• Develop, edit, or oversee talking points, FAQs, issue explainers, newsletter copy, media prep materials, campaign messaging, and public-facing summaries.
• Work with the Research and Policy team to ensure materials accurately reflect Farm Action’s analysis, recommendations, and policy positions.

Team Management and Coordination

• Supervise the Senior Communications Manager and Communications Manager, including day-to-day workload, deadlines, draft quality, workflow use, and professional development.
• Manage communications assignments across the team so priorities are clear and work is moving.
• Coordinate with contractors, designers, and other vendors to keep deliverables aligned with approved direction and deadlines.
• Support a collaborative, organized, and proactive communications culture.
• Ensure communications work is coordinated with Research and Policy, campaigns, development, and organizational leadership.

Media and Message Support

• Support media outreach by ensuring press materials, media advisories, interview prep, background materials, and rapid response drafts are accurate, timely, and publication-ready.
• Draft or edit talking points, FAQs, points of view, and interview prep materials from approved research, reports, blogs, and campaign materials.
• Help prepare spokespeople with clear message guidance and likely questions.
• Coordinate with the team to ensure media opportunities are tracked, followed up on, and connected to broader communications priorities.

Systems, Standards, and Documentation

• Maintain and improve editorial systems, including Trello workflows, quality assurance checklists, approval processes, style guidance, messaging guidance, and publication protocols.
• Ensure staff and contractors understand and use established workflows.
• Maintain clear documentation for recurring communications processes.
• Identify bottlenecks, recurring errors, or process gaps and recommend practical improvements.

Qualifications

• At least seven years or relevant experience in editorial, journalism, nonprofit communications, advocacy communications, policy communications, food and agriculture, rural issues, or public-interest communications.
• At least two years of experience supervising staff, managing contributors, or leading cross-functional editorial work.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with experience editing newsletters, press releases, blogs, reports, op-eds, social media copy, and web content.
• Strong editorial judgment and ability to improve structure, clarity, accuracy, and voice.
• Ability to translate complex policy, research, or advocacy materials into clear public-facing content.
• Experience managing editorial workflows, publication calendars, or communications production processes.
• Strong project management skills and comfort keeping multiple deadlines moving.
• Experience supervising staff, managing contributors, or coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with media relations, interview prep, talking points, and rapid response communications.
• Strong attention to detail, especially around factual accuracy, links, formatting, publication steps, and final quality assurance.
• Ability to work collaboratively with policy experts, campaign staff, executives, contractors, and communications staff.
• Commitment to Farm Action’s mission and farmer-led perspective.

This is a full-time remote position. Compensation ranges from $78,280–$82,400, based on experience. A monthly $350 healthcare stipend is provided. 2026 schedule and time-off benefits include flexible Fridays, eight paid holidays, and 15 days of paid time off annually. Schedule and time-off benefits are reviewed annually by the Board and may be adjusted.