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Development Editor Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Corps Solutions

Editor

Quantico, VA

Provide feedback to manuscript editors and suggest development/training opportunities EDUCATION * Associate degree or equivalent in Business Management; Computer Science, Information Systems ...

Sage

Acquisitions Editor

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$90K - $105K/yr

Content development -work closely with content development editors to resolve schedules, establish ... development achievements, hone unique value propositions, and agree upon digital resources and ...

Corps Solutions

Editor

Quantico, VA · On-site

Provide feedback to manuscript editors and suggest development/training opportunities EDUCATION * Associate degree or equivalent in Business Management; Computer Science, Information Systems ...

Corps Solutions

Senior Editor

Quantico, VA

Provide feedback to manuscript editors and suggest development/training opportunities EDUCATION * Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in one of the ...

Corps Solutions

Senior Editor

Quantico, VA · On-site

Provide feedback to manuscript editors and suggest development/training opportunities EDUCATION * Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in one of the ...

Bloomberg Industry Group

Editor at Large

Arlington, VA · On-site

As an Editor-at-Large I, you will coordinate with reporters, editors, and outside authors to direct work and boost the quality of our writing, contributed content, and idea development. You will ...

Bloomberg Industry Group

Editor at Large

Arlington, VA · On-site

As an Editor-at-Large I, you will coordinate with reporters, editors, and outside authors to direct work and boost the quality of our writing, contributed content, and idea development. You will ...

Distant Moon

Film Editor

Leesburg, VA · On-site

... and creative development across all stages of filmmaking. This is an in-person role working ... directors, editors, producers, and creatives in a highly collaborative studio environment. The ...

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All JobsDevelopment Editor JobsDevelopment Editor Jobs in Washington, DC

Development Editor information

See Washington, DC salary details

$56K

$93.2K

$111K

How much do development editor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for development editor in Washington, DC is $93,237.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,100.00 and $109,800.00 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
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Development Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Editor job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, and 83% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,237 per year, or $44.8 per hour.
Editor, Editorial - Development

Editor, Editorial - Development

Stand Together

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America's boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country's biggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and toxic division, among dozens of other pressing issues. We provide our partners with access to resources including funding, thought leadership, a network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society.
As an Editor, Editorial - Development, you will serve as a senior editorial and strategic partner to Development and Fundraising teams. This role is less focused on writing volume and more focused on expertise, judgment, and elevation - shaping donor-facing work to ensure it is clear, compelling, and strategically sound.
Editors develop deep subject-matter fluency in priority issue areas, embed with key stakeholder groups, and coach writers to strengthen both individual products and overall editorial quality.
How You Will Contribute
  • Develop and apply subject-matter expertise across assigned issue areas and funding priorities.

  • Serve as an embedded editorial partner to Development and Fundraising teams.

  • Edit and elevate drafts produced by writers-strengthening structure, clarity, argumentation, and narrative flow.

  • Coach writers through thoughtful feedback that improves both the work and the underlying thinking.

  • Ensure donor-facing materials are accurate, aligned, and audience-appropriate before reaching senior leaders or external partners.

What You Will Bring
  • Significant experience editing high-stakes communications for senior leaders, donors, or partners, ideally in philanthropy, nonprofit, mission-driven, or complex stakeholder environments.

  • Strong editorial judgment and narrative instincts, paired with comfort working through dense feedback, multiple reviewers, and evolving direction.

  • Experience developing subject-matter expertise and applying it to persuasive communications.

  • Comfort influencing across teams and working closely with senior leaders.

  • Proven ability to coach writers and elevate others' work product.
  • Enthusiasm to contribute to Stand Together's vision and principled approach to solving problems, and a commitment to stewarding our culture, which champions values including transformation and innovation, entrepreneurialism, humility, and respect.

What We Offer
  • Competitive benefits: Enjoy a 6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting, flexible time off, comprehensive health and dental plans, plus wellness and mental health support through Peloton and Talkspace.
  • A meaningful career: Join a passionate community of over 1,300 employees dedicated to improving lives and driving innovative solutions to complex social challenges.
  • Commitment to growth: Thrive in a non-hierarchical environment that empowers employees to discover, develop and apply their unique talents.
  • Competitive compensation: Our approach rewards the value you create through competitive salaries and bonus opportunities, allowing you to share in the success you help drive.

Our Values: Working for an organization within the Stand Together philanthropic community is different from many other places. The culture is deeply rooted in Principle Based Management® (PBM®), a framework guided by the principles that drive human progress, such as dignity, openness, and bottom-up empowerment. PBM® empowers employees to be entrepreneurial, to innovate, and to continually drive transformation.
We believe diversity fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. That is why we're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strive to treat all employees and applicants with honesty, dignity, and respect.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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