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Developmental Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Concordia Publishing House

Associate Copy Editor - St. Louis, MO Concordia Publishing House (CPH) - A Lutheran Church-Missouri ... Edit and proofread developed manuscripts for grammar, clarity, consistency, and accuracy * Ensure ...

Vanguard Group, Inc.

Editor

Malvern, PA · On-site

Provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for marketing materials and client communications. * Evaluate content for clarity, accuracy, tone, flow, and Vanguard style. Organize and ...

Vangard, Inc.

Editor

Malvern, PA

Provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for marketing materials and client communications. * Evaluate content for clarity, accuracy, tone, flow, and Vanguard style. Organize and ...

Vanguard Group

Editor

Malvern, PA · On-site

Provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for marketing materials and client communications. * Evaluate content for clarity, accuracy, tone, flow, and Vanguard style. Organize and ...

Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Editor K-12

$61K - $73K/yr

We are seeking an Editor who will work closely with authors to develop high‑quality ... Developmentally edit or restructure content to improve flow and clarity. * Edit with exceptional ...

New

Marylandconnect

This position is essential for the development, editing, and publication of research documents. Responsibilities: * Duties and responsibilities are, but not limited to - * Develop relationships with ...

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How much do developmental editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editor in the United States is $31.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Developmental Editor, you need a strong command of language, deep understanding of narrative structure, and experience in editing or writing, often supported by a degree in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with editing software such as Microsoft Word (with track changes), Adobe Acrobat, and project management tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and the ability to give constructive feedback help a Developmental Editor guide authors effectively. These skills ensure manuscripts are well-organized, coherent, and compelling, ultimately leading to successful publications.

How does a developmental editor typically collaborate with authors and other editorial team members during the manuscript development process?

Developmental editors work closely with authors, providing constructive feedback on overall structure, content flow, and character development. They often hold regular meetings or exchanges to discuss revisions and clarify the author’s vision, ensuring the manuscript meets both creative and market goals. Collaboration with copy editors, proofreaders, and sometimes project managers is also common, as developmental editors help coordinate the workflow and maintain consistency throughout the editorial process. This teamwork fosters a supportive environment focused on producing the strongest possible manuscript.

What is a developmental editor?

A developmental editor is a professional who works with authors to shape the overall structure, content, and flow of a manuscript. They focus on big-picture elements such as plot, character development, pacing, organization, and clarity, rather than correcting grammar or punctuation. Developmental editors provide feedback and suggestions to help authors strengthen their work, often collaborating through multiple drafts. Their goal is to help the author produce a compelling and coherent final manuscript.

What is the difference between Developmental Editor vs Copy Editor?

AspectDevelopmental EditorCopy Editor
Primary FocusBig-picture content development, structure, and overall flowLine-by-line editing, grammar, and style consistency
Skills & CredentialsStrong editing, developmental, and storytelling skills; often a background in writing or editingExcellent grammar, punctuation, and style knowledge; often a background in editing or journalism
Work EnvironmentCollaborates closely with authors and writers during manuscript developmentReviews and refines existing text for clarity and correctness

Developmental Editors focus on shaping the content's structure and overall narrative, while Copy Editors refine the language, grammar, and style. Both roles require strong editing skills but serve different stages of the editing process, making them complementary in publishing workflows.

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Developmental Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Developmental Editor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, and 24% Part Time. Highlights an 70% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,728 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Editor, Editorial - Development

Editor, Editorial - Development

Stand Together

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Posted 8 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.