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Development Editor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

National Safety Council

Learning Content Editor

Itasca, IL · On-site +1

$70K - $75K/yr

Maintain, update, and implement the Training Product Development style guide. * Establish editorial ... Experience editing across multiple formats, including digital, print, and multimedia scripts.

Sourcebooks

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

Sourcebooks LLC

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

Fastmarkets

Non Ferrous Editor Americas

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

The regional editor implements the broader Fastmarkets growth strategies, working with the ... Adopt and drive the LEAP (Launch, Elevate, Attack, Protect) approach to price development and ...

Fastmarkets

Non Ferrous Editor Americas

Chicago, IL · On-site

The regional editor implements the broader Fastmarkets growth strategies, working with the ... Adopt and drive the LEAP (Launch, Elevate, Attack, Protect) approach to price development and ...

American

Data Journalism Editor, IRW

Campus, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

The Data Editor works withother editorsand internsand graduate fellowson data collection, data ... Web development, especially news applications and data visualization tools. Other Duties:

WFMT

WFMT Digital Writer/Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

... Writer/Editor to lead the creation and distribution of digital content across WFMT.com and ... basic web development concepts • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition;

WTTW

WFMT Digital Writer/Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

... Writer/Editor to lead the creation and distribution of digital content across WFMT.com and ... basic web development concepts • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition;

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDevelopment Editor JobsDevelopment Editor Jobs in Illinois

Development Editor information

See Illinois salary details

$48K

$79.8K

$95K

How much do development editor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for development editor in Illinois is $79,800.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,700.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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 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.
More about Development Editor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Development Editor jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Development Editor jobs in Illinois are:
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What job categories do people searching Development Editor jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Development Editor jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Development Editor jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Development Editor job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Development Editor jobs in IL? For Development Editor jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Development Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Editor job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. Highlights an 79% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,800 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Learning Content Editor

National Safety Council

Itasca, IL • On-site, Remote

$70K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Save lives, from the workplace to anyplace.
The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate. We focus on eliminating the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Through leadership, research, education, and advocacy, NSC focuses on areas where most unintentional injuries and deaths occur.
We are currently looking for a Learning Content Editorto join us in our mission to save lives and prevent injuries.
Position Highlights:
The Learning Content Editor is responsible for ensuring the clarity, accuracy, consistency, and overall quality of all written content produced by the Training Product Development team. This role oversees the final editorial review of all learning materials, digital and print, and ensures they adhere to organizational tone, brand standards, and training-specific style conventions.
The Learning Content Editor will maintain and evolve the department's style guide, establish editorial processes, and work collaboratively with instructional designers and subject matter experts to produce polished, publication-ready materials. This person will work cross-functionally with communications to ensure the department's style guide is aligned with the larger organization's style guide.
The role also plays a key part in the print production lifecycle by preparing manuscripts, managing edits, and ensuring the quality of final print books and supporting materials.
What You'll Own:
Editorial Review & Quality Assurance
  • Serve as the final editorial reviewer for all training content, including eLearning content, instructor-led training materials, assessments, workbooks, and print publications.
  • Edit for grammar, clarity, accuracy, tone, and learner-appropriate language.
  • Ensure content meets organizational standards for readability, structure, and accessibility.

Style Guide Ownership & Consistency
  • Maintain, update, and implement the Training Product Development style guide.
  • Establish editorial standards that support consistency across all learning modalities.
  • Guide team members on the use of style guidelines and editorial best practices.

Print Production & Manuscript Preparation
  • Prepare final manuscripts for print production, ensuring formatting accuracy and alignment with design templates.
  • Collaborate with designers on layout reviews, pagination, captions, tables, callouts, and other print-specific elements.
  • Review and approve print proofs, working with internal teams and external vendors as needed.

Collaboration & Workflow Management
  • Work closely with instructional designers, graphic designers, project managers, and subject matter experts to ensure content accuracy and consistency.
  • Manage editorial timelines and coordinate reviews to meet production deadlines.
  • Maintain organized version control, track revisions, and ensure content integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
We're Looking for Someone with:
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Technical Writing, or related field, and at least four years of related experience or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated experience editing instructional, educational, technical, or professional learning content.
  • Strong command of grammar, syntax, and editorial style conventions (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style or similar).
  • Exceptional attention to detail and ability to maintain consistency across large volumes of content.
  • Experience editing across multiple formats, including digital, print, and multimedia scripts.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Experience in association, nonprofit, or training product environments.
  • Familiarity with learning design terminology and adult learning concepts.
  • Experience preparing manuscripts for print production (e.g., working with InDesign, reviewing proofs).
  • Knowledge of accessibility standards for written content (WCAG 2.3 AA).
  • This is a remote position.
  • Salary range: $70,000 to $75,000.
Reasons You'll Love it here:
NSC cares about the safety, health, and overall well-being of our employees. We offer competitive benefits, resources, and tools to promote a work-life balance that supports employees during all phases of life. We offer the following:
  • At least 20 PTO days accrued 1st year and 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
  • Flex spending accounts for medical and dependent care
  • 403(b) & Roth 403(b) with employer match up to 6%
  • Reimbursable training
  • Dress for your day

Our hiring process is designed to give you the opportunity to shine at each step. It starts with an assessment where you really showcase your drive for the role. From there, candidates selected for the first interview will discuss their skills and how they fit with our team. If you're a match, the second interview takes a deeper dive into your background and how you can contribute to our goals. After that, we'll make our final decision and let you know the outcome. This is our usual process, and we're excited to get to know you along the way!
NSC is a Recovery-Friendly Workplace.
We support individuals in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder by fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and support. We provide access to confidential resources, reasonable accommodations, and a work environment that values your journey and contributions.
NSC is an equal opportunity employer.

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