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Developmental Editing Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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.

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.

WFMT Digital Writer/Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED: • Strong writing, editing, and communication skills • Proven ... basic web development concepts • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition;

Video Producer & Editor

Itasca, IL · On-site

$82K - $86K/yr

... editing video, editing and mixing audio, chroma-keying and visual effects, voice-over, motion ... Research and remain current on the developments and applications of state-of-the-art video ...

New

WFMT Digital Writer/Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED: • Strong writing, editing, and communication skills • Proven ... basic web development concepts • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition;

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Developmental Editing information

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How much do developmental editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editing in Chicago, IL is $32.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.02 and $40.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical challenges faced in developmental editing, and how do editors overcome them?

Developmental Editors often encounter challenges such as helping authors address major structural issues, balancing the author's voice with editorial recommendations, and managing tight deadlines. Overcoming these challenges requires clear and constructive feedback, patience, and strong project management skills to keep revisions on track. Editors also rely on regular communication with authors and other team members to ensure everyone is aligned throughout the editing process. Successfully navigating these challenges leads to a more polished and marketable manuscript while maintaining a positive author-editor relationship.

How do you become a developmental editor?

To become a developmental editor, individuals typically develop strong writing, editing, and communication skills, often through a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or related fields. Gaining experience by editing manuscripts, building a portfolio, and understanding the editing process is essential; many also pursue certifications from professional organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association or the Chicago Manual of Style. Familiarity with editing software and industry standards helps improve job prospects in this field.

How much do developmental editors make?

Developmental editors typically earn between $30,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Freelance developmental editors may charge hourly rates ranging from $25 to $100 or more, with rates influenced by their expertise and the scope of editing required.

What is developmental editing?

A Developmental Editing job involves evaluating the structure, content, and overall coherence of a manuscript to improve its clarity, organization, and impact. Developmental editors work closely with authors to refine story arcs, character development, pacing, and thematic consistency. Unlike copy editors, they focus on big-picture elements rather than grammar or syntax. This process is common in book publishing, particularly for fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. The goal is to help authors strengthen their work before it moves to the next stage of editing and publication.

What to do in developmental editing?

Developmental editing involves reviewing and improving the overall structure, content, and flow of a manuscript or document. It includes providing feedback on organization, clarity, tone, and coherence, often working closely with authors to shape the work before copyediting and proofreading. Strong editing skills, familiarity with style guides, and effective communication are essential for this role.

What do developmental editors do?

Developmental editors work with authors to improve the structure, content, and overall flow of a manuscript during the early stages of editing. They provide feedback on organization, character development, pacing, and clarity, often collaborating closely with writers to shape the manuscript before copyediting and proofreading. Strong communication skills and a deep understanding of storytelling or subject matter are essential in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in developmental editing, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Developmental Editor, you need advanced skills in manuscript evaluation, story structure, and content organization, usually supported by a background in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with editorial software such as Microsoft Word with Track Changes, Adobe Acrobat, and project management tools is important, and professional certifications from organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association are a plus. Excellent communication, collaboration, and diplomacy are essential soft skills when guiding authors through major revisions. These abilities ensure effective manuscript improvement and foster positive relationships with writers and publishing teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Developmental Editing jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Developmental Editing jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Developmental Editing jobs in Chicago, IL? For Developmental Editing jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Developmental Editing job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, and 80% Part Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $67,709 per year, or $32.6 per hour.

Non Ferrous Editor Americas

Fastmarkets

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Fastmarkets is an industry-leading price-reporting agency (PRA) and information provider for global commodities, providing price data, news, analytics and events for the agriculture, forest products, metals and mining and new-generation energy markets.

Fastmarkets' data is critical for customers seeking to understand and predict dynamic, sometimes opaque markets, enabling trading and risk management. Fastmarkets is a global business with a history dating back to 1865 and is built on trust and deep market knowledge. It has more than 700 employees spread across global locations in the UK, US, China, India, Singapore, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland and beyond. 

Job Description

The Role

The Regional Non-Ferrous Editor, Americas, is a key role helping to deliver our PRA strategy by leading and managing a team of price reporters across non-ferrous metals in the Americas. The role is accountable for developing and executing the regional strategy for the markets under its remit, and for contributing to and helping drive the global strategy.

The regional editor implements the broader Fastmarkets growth strategies, working with the editorial director, and the rest of the leadership team to shape and communicate the Fastmarkets vision in key growth areas including US critical minerals and battery raw materials. The role will balance occasional market coverage with expectations around maintaining unique content and commentaries that support pricing services; engaging with market participants to drive adoption; and doing so in a way that effectively balances managerial responsibilities against their role as a team member.

The goal is to drive excellence across the regional team, establishing the group collectively as industry experts, ensuring a constant stream of leading content and robust, correction-free pricing, and overseeing, nurturing and developing a high-performing team of market experts.

The role oversees day-to-day operations, while being accountable for the regional strategy and supporting the editorial director to design and drive the global strategy.

Principal accountabilities

  • Uphold the integrity of our prices by serving as a role model for the Fastmarkets' price development process; ensure price reporters adhere to it when launching, amending or discontinuing prices.
  • Build trust in and drive usage of our prices by championing our IOSCO-compliant approach to price reporting, ensure team knows and abides by all processes around pricing, methodologies and audits.
  • Adopt and drive the LEAP (Launch, Elevate, Attack, Protect) approach to price development and engagement campaigns.
  • Coach team and collaborate with the editorial operations team to make continual improvements to our content and how it is delivered to improve quality, promote value-added reporting and find compelling ways to highlight our expertise.
  • Lead and conduct market engagement via meetings and events with a focus on driving price adoption. Ensure a consistent flow of meeting insights are shared with relevant stakeholders to improve interactions and uncover opportunities.
  • Manage the regional team's responsibilities and diary to ensure that a solid back-up system is in place to maintain coverage through leaves or business travels, cooperating with other teams if needed.
  • Balance being the last resort for market coverage, while overseeing others' pricing and editorial work strategically to ensure that each supports the other.
  • Coordinate cross-functional, cross-department and cross-regional collaboration, helping to break down silos and enrich content or pricing coverage.
  • Work with other editors to facilitate successful staff development and retention, maintaining a positive working environment and culture. Champion Fastmarkets' MAGICC values.
  • Support recruitment of high-calibre candidates, develop and retain talent within the pricing team and across the broader Fastmarkets group, promoting cross-commodity and cross-discipline moves where desirable.

Key interfaces

  • Reports to the editorial director, providing strategic input and contributing to cross-functional initiatives.
  • Manages price reporters to implement Fastmarkets' PRA approach.
  • Work closely with other editors and price development team on developing and prioritizing price benchmarks, products and market coverage.
  • Actively engages with industry participants to gather insight, gain feedback and promote the quality of our prices, providing a consistent flow of feedback to all stakeholders.
  • Collaborates with Editorial Operations team to ensure content is produced in line with PRA strategy and to the appropriate style.
  • Engages with other leaders to develop and promote prices and content where there are crossovers, coordinates with the market development team to highlight new or emerging opportunities.
  • Fosters positive relationships with Strategy, Marketing, Product and Events teams to assist with the promotion of products and services.
Qualifications

We recruit talented, dynamic people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, all united by a belief in our mission to provide the world's leading and most trusted price reporting, events, and intelligence service for the markets we serve. We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a fully inclusive workplace, where everyone feels able to participate and contribute meaningfully.

If you are open-minded, curious, resilient, solutions-oriented and committed to promoting equality, then read on.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated, driven, and have a passion to be part of a fast-paced, successful team. Being a strong team player is also important as well as someone who is happy to work flexibly.

  • Strong background in pricing markets and journalism, ideally with knowledge of the metals markets.
  • Experience with high-pressure benchmark markets welcome.
  • Track record of strong leadership skills: demonstrable ability to plan, motivate, delegate work and achieve results through others, not themselves, and with diplomacy.
  • Experience in recruiting, training and mentoring a team to meet and exceed standards for pricing, content and market coverage would be ideal. This includes setting objectives, conducting appraisals, providing feedback and promoting Fastmarkets' values.
  • Experience in market engagement including organising or overseeing roadshows, webinars, external meetings and speaking at events.
  • Ability to manage a budget and prioritise use of resources to achieve efficiencies and bring results, which include making tough decisions, building business cases, and defending a spending plan.
  • Able to operate at the highest levels internally within a matrix management structure and with external stakeholders.
  • Able to lead multiple projects simultaneously with a strong vision that is communicated clearly and coherently.
  • Support risk and compliance in audit activities, ensure that team is comfortable and familiar with all processes under review.
  • Innovation and Creativity: Ability to foster a culture of innovation within the organization. Creativity to generate new product ideas and solutions to meet customer demands.
  • Business Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of the business, industry, and economic factors that impact growth. Financial literacy to assess the viability and profitability of new initiatives.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration skills to work across different departments. Ability to build and lead cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and adjust strategies accordingly. Flexibility to pivot when needed and embrace continuous improvement.
  • Customer-Centric Focus: Understanding of customer needs and preferences. Ability to align product development with customer expectations.

If you're excited about the role but your experience, skills or qualifications don't perfectly align, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Additional Information

Our Values

Fastmarkets people come from all different walks of life. It's this mix of brilliant personalities, experiences and insights that gives us that warm, open, and friendly culture you can feel as soon as you meet us. But however wonderfully different we all are, there are six things we all have in common - and they form our Fastmarkets values.

Created by our own employees to reflect some of the personal traits that Fastmarkets people have, our values are key to what makes our culture unique. They reflect who each of us are and they're embedded in everything we do. Our values are:

  • METRICS DRIVEN. We use insights to improve our customers' experience and our business performance
     
  • ACCOUNTABLE. We are accountable to ourselves and those we work with: we keep our promises and get things done
     
  • GROWTH MINDSET. This value enables us to be nimble to the changing realities and operate with a sense of urgency
     
  • INCLUSIVE. We are inclusive and respectful, celebrating each of us and giving everyone a deep sense of belonging with the desire to bring their best self to work every day.
     
  • CUSTOMER CENTRIC. We are customer-centric in all that we do
     
  • COLLABORATIVE. We are collaborative, able to work across teams and capitalise on the diversity of intellect, perspectives, and experiences.

We are committed to ensuring all candidates feel welcomed and supported. Should your application advance and you require accommodations for the interview process, please inform us so we can make the necessary arrangements.

If the position is listed as remote this opportunity is available to applicants based in the following states:


    Illinois
    Oregon
    New York
    Pennsylvania
    Texas*


* Denotes states with office locations to support hybrid working.

Otherwise the position will be located as shown in the advert.

You've read a little about us - now it's over to you!

If you like what you've read so far and think you can see yourself as a Fastmarkets person, it's time to fill in your application form. This form is an important part of the selection process: it's used to determine whether or not you'll be chosen to have an interview and acts as a basis for the questions we'll ask you on the day.

It's vital that you try to capture all the relevant information we have asked for on the form so we can get a good feel for who you are and why you're great.