Freelance Assistant Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Michels Communications Corporation is seeking an experienced Editorial Director / Managing Editor to oversee and manage the editorial operations across our portfolio of regional publications. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the quality, accuracy, voice, and strategic direction of all editorial content while coordinating closely with writers, clients, internal teams, and graphic designers.

You must live within 50 miles of Sioux Falls, South Dakota to be considered.

This role requires someone who can operate at both a strategic and tactical level — developing editorial themes and narratives while also reviewing, editing, and refining content to meet the standards of our publications.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in journalism, editing, and content development, along with the ability to manage multiple editorial workflows simultaneously. This individual will play a key leadership role within the organization and will be expected to collaborate with internal departments, contracted writers, and clients.
Ideally we would like this person to be located in-office, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

• Oversee all editorial processes across Michels Communications publications.

• Maintain the editorial voice, tone, and quality standards for each publication.

• Develop monthly editorial themes, story concepts, and content strategies aligned with seasonal trends, community interests, and publication goals.

• Ensure all content aligns with brand standards and audience expectations.

• Review, edit, and approve articles submitted by writers, contributors, and internal teams.

• Ensure all content is accurate, engaging, and properly structured before moving to design and layout.

• Maintain consistency in grammar, tone, formatting, and journalistic integrity across all publications.

• Manage editorial revisions and coordinate corrections during production.

• Manage relationships with contracted writers and contributors.

• Assign story topics and deadlines.

• Provide editorial guidance and feedback to writers to maintain quality standards.

• Identify and recruit additional freelance writers when needed.

• Generate content ideas and story concepts for upcoming issues.

• Develop narratives and editorial direction for each publication based on:

  • Monthly themes

  • Local trends

  • Community events

  • Seasonal topics

  • Industry developments

• Collaborate with internal teams to identify feature stories and interview opportunities.

• Work closely with the graphic design team to ensure articles are properly laid out, formatted, and visually aligned with publication standards.

• Review layouts and proofs for accuracy before final production.

• Coordinate editorial corrections and revisions during the design process.

• Work with internal sales teams and clients to ensure sponsored content and advertorials meet editorial standards.

• Conduct interviews and assist with story development when necessary.

• Represent Michels Communications professionally in client and community interactions.

• Maintain editorial calendars and ensure deadlines are met across all publications.

• Coordinate the flow of content from writers to editing to design and final production.

• Ensure all editorial components are completed in time for print and digital publishing deadlines.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Writing, or a related field

• 3–7+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, or publishing

• Professional experience as an editor, managing editor, or editorial director

• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills

• Strong understanding of editorial workflows and publication production cycles

Preferred:

• Experience working with magazines, media companies, or multi-publication organizations

• Experience managing freelance writers and contributors

• Familiarity with publication layout processes and collaboration with design teams

• Strong project management and organizational skills

• Advanced editing and proofreading

• Editorial planning and storytelling

• Content strategy development

• Leadership and team coordination

• Communication and relationship management

• Deadline management

• Attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple publications and projects simultaneously

The ideal candidate will be:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• A strong communicator who can collaborate across departments

• Comfortable leading editorial processes and managing contributors

• Able to balance creative storytelling with operational discipline

• Professional and confident when interacting with clients and partners

• Passionate about journalism, storytelling, and community-driven content

Michels Communications is a regional media and publishing company producing multiple print and digital publications serving communities across South Dakota and the Midwest. Our publications focus on lifestyle, business, real estate, tourism, events, and community storytelling.

We are committed to producing high-quality content that informs, connects, and celebrates the communities we serve.