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Development Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$85 - $95/hr

Audience Development Editor Starting salary: $85,000-$95,000/year Location: Minneapolis, MN MinnPost is hiring an Audience Development Editor, a senior newsroom leadership role that will own and ...

Developmental Editor

Dallas, TX · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Developmental Editor Yaqeen Institute Dallas, Texas, United States About this position About Yaqeen Institute Yaqeen is a nonprofit on a mission to pioneer Islamic research in creative, cutting-edge ...

Senior Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Move fluidly from high-level editorial vision to developmental editing to line-level copy editing. Deliver feedback that makes the writing and the writer better. * Mentor, elevate, and attract ...

Senior Editor

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$85 - $120/hr

Move fluidly from high-level editorial vision to developmental editing to line-level copy editing. Deliver feedback that makes the writing and the writer better. * Mentor, elevate, and attract ...

Senior Editor

New York, NY · On-site

$210K - $290K/yr

Move fluidly from high-level editorial vision to developmental editing to line-level copy editing. Deliver feedback that makes the writing and the writer better. * Mentor, elevate, and attract ...

Editor - III

Chicago, IL · On-site

$46 - $50/hr

... development, editing, and publication of high-quality research content. This individual will edit scholarly articles, research periodicals, e-newsletters, website content, and speeches, helping ...

Editor - III

Chicago, IL · On-site

$63 - $69/hr

... development, editing, and publication of high-quality research content. This individual will edit scholarly articles, research periodicals, e-newsletters, website content, and speeches, helping ...

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

The Senior Editor will oversee Quirk's fiction list, including approximately 4-6 original titles ... Key Responsibilities Acquisitions & List Development * Acquire approximately 8-10 titles annually ...

Senior Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$85K - $113K/yr

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

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Development Editor information

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$49.5K

$82.4K

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How much do development editor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for development editor in the United States is $82,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $97,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a development editor?

A development editor works with an author to define and improve the structure and content of a manuscript. Development editors may start early on, from the point when the manuscript is accepted for publication, noting a lack of focus and helping the author refine a more definite direction for the book. They may also discover inconsistent tone, an unclear audience, or a stilted writing style, and provide suggestions to resolve these issues. Some development editors review the book chapter by chapter, until the book is ready for publication. Most developmental editors have a degree in English or a related subject. Many have experience in publishing as copy editors or proofreaders, or have been writers themselves before moving to become developmental editors.

What is a development editor?

A Development Editor is a publishing professional who works closely with authors to shape and refine the content, structure, and overall direction of a manuscript before it moves to copyediting or production. Their primary focus is on the big-picture elements such as organization, clarity, pacing, and coherence of the work. Development Editors provide constructive feedback and suggestions to help authors strengthen their ideas and ensure the manuscript meets its intended purpose and audience. They are commonly employed in book publishing, academic, and educational settings.

How does a development editor typically collaborate with authors and other editorial team members throughout the publishing process?

As a Development Editor, you work closely with authors to shape manuscripts, providing detailed feedback on structure, content, and clarity. Collaboration is key—regular meetings and written communications help guide authors through revisions and ensure the manuscript aligns with the publisher's vision. You’ll also coordinate with copy editors, proofreaders, and sometimes designers to maintain consistency and quality throughout the publication process. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to balance constructive criticism with encouragement, ensuring a smooth and productive workflow for all parties involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a development editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Editor, you need a strong grasp of editorial processes, manuscript evaluation, and subject-matter expertise, typically supported by a degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with publishing software like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and content management systems is crucial, as is experience with style guides such as Chicago or APA. Exceptional communication, project management, and collaboration skills help build productive relationships with authors and cross-functional teams. These abilities ensure high-quality content development, adherence to publishing standards, and successful project delivery.

What is the difference between Development Editor vs Content Editor?

AspectDevelopment EditorContent Editor
Primary RoleOversees the development process of a publication, including editing, coordinating with authors, and managing timelines.Focuses on editing and refining the content for clarity, style, and accuracy.
Required SkillsStrong editing, project management, and communication skills; knowledge of publishing processes.Excellent editing, grammar, and style skills; attention to detail.
Work EnvironmentTypically works in publishing houses, educational institutions, or corporate publishing teams.Works in similar environments, often within editorial teams or media companies.

While both roles involve editing, a Development Editor manages the overall development and production process of a publication, whereas a Content Editor concentrates on refining the content itself. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in publishing and editing industries.

What cities are hiring for Development Editor jobs?

Cities with the most Development Editor job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Development Editor jobs?

The most popular types of Development Editor jobs are:

What states have the most Development Editor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Development Editor jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Development Editor jobs?

For Development Editor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Development Editor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,351 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

$85 - $95/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Own and execute MinnPost's audience development strategy across web, newsletters, and social media.

  • Supervise the newsroom audience team and audience-related contractors.

  • Devise and execute strategies to grow MinnPost's newsletter subscriber base and web audience.


Job description

Audience Development Editor

Starting salary: $85,000-$95,000/year

Location: Minneapolis, MN

MinnPost is hiring an Audience Development Editor, a senior newsroom leadership role that will own and drive audience growth strategy across the organization. Reporting to the Executive Editor and serving as a peer to other senior editors and business leaders, this person will set ambitious goals, build on MinnPost’s strong newsletter foundation, and put the organization on a trajectory of significant, measurable growth across web, newsletters, and social media.

MinnPost has quality journalism, a committed editorial team, an established audience, and the organizational commitment and resources to grow. The work of this role is to take those assets further: to significantly expand MinnPost’s reach, grow the newsletter subscriber base, deepen engagement across platforms, and connect more Minnesotans to public‑interest journalism. You will lead a dedicated audience team, including one open position you will help shape, with real standing in newsroom leadership and the support to drive change.

This is a newsroom role that requires both strategic vision and a willingness to execute. The Audience Development Editor will bring an audience‑first perspective into editorial planning, supervise a team responsible for key audience‑facing products, and work in close partnership with the membership team to align audience growth with paid member conversion. Day to day, that means working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with them, sharing goals, and taking joint ownership of donor growth targets. At an organization of 20 people, senior leaders make things happen, not just plan them.

We’re looking for someone who is entrepreneurial, driven by data, and committed to MinnPost’s mission. Strong candidates will have a track record of growing audiences in a digital news environment and the editorial instincts to know what readers want and how to serve them.

In this role, you will: Strategy and leadership
  • Own and execute MinnPost’s audience development strategy across web, newsletters, and social media
  • Supervise the newsroom audience team and audience‑related contractors
  • Contribute to editorial leadership discussions and provide regular updates on audience growth to staff and the board
  • Establish and track KPIs that define progress toward ambitious audience goals
  • Develop new digital products and manage existing ones with an eye toward meeting readers’ needs
Audience growth and engagement
  • Devise and execute strategies to grow MinnPost’s newsletter subscriber base and web audience
  • Manage MinnPost’s social media presence with an eye toward both reach and meaningful engagement
  • Supervise newsletter and web production, filling in occasionally on daily needs
  • Collaborate with editor‑reporter teams on audience distribution and engagement strategies for specific stories and beats
  • Ensure best practices for SEO across the organization and manage MinnPost’s Google Ads profile
  • Manage content partnerships and pursue republication opportunities with other media organizations
  • Deploy community engagement strategies to build meaningful connections with underserved audiences, including through MinnPost events
Collaboration and alignment
  • Work closely with the membership team to ensure audience growth strategies connect to paid member conversion goals
  • Collaborate with business team leadership to align audience and revenue strategies
  • Work with other editors to cultivate an inclusive, collaborative editorial culture that reflects the diversity of Minnesota
Ideal candidates will have:
  • 4+ years of experience in audience development, digital journalism, or a related field
  • Experience leading a team or managing projects in a newsroom environment
  • A proven track record of growing audiences through newsletters, social media, and/or web
  • A habit of using audience data to inform decisions and make arguments: someone who reaches for the numbers first and can translate analytics into clear, compelling cases for action
  • Experience with analytics tools such as Google Analytics and Parse.ly
  • SEO experience, including keyword research, headline optimization, and link‑building
  • Experience with WordPress or a similar CMS
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • A test‑and‑learn approach to strategy and genuine drive to innovate
  • Ability to make data‑informed decisions both independently and collaboratively
  • Strong organizational and communication skills

To better reflect the communities we serve, we seek to recruit staff members from many backgrounds and with diverse identities. MinnPost is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.

This is a management position with a starting salary of $85,000-$95,000/year

MinnPost is based in Northeast Minneapolis with a flexible hybrid schedule. This position works in the office at least two days a week and regularly in person for special projects, meetings, and events.

  • Health insurance (80% for employees / 50% for partners or dependents)
  • 401(k) plan (employer matching up to 3% of salary, which can be applied to 401(k) contributions or eligible student loan payments)
  • Monthly phone stipend
  • Vacation time off (15 days per year to start)
  • Paid holidays (8 days per year) and floating holidays (4 days per year)
  • Sick and safe time (12 days per year)
  • Paid birthing person health leave (100% up to 6 weeks)
  • Paid family leave (100% up to 8 weeks) through MN PFML program
  • Short-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Options for employee‑paid dental, vision, long‑term disability, and supplemental life insurance

MinnPost is a newsroom of smart, collaborative people who care about the journalism and look out for each other. The audience they serve is unusually engaged: thousands of loyal readers, many of them paying members, who come back because they trust what MinnPost produces. Journalists who work here know their work is reaching people who care.

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