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Publications Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Publications Specialist II Location: McLean, VA (Hybrid/On-Site) Company: BLN24 About Us ... We find strength in teamwork-a better youisa better us BLN24 is an award-winning Management ...

Publications Specialist II Location: McLean, VA (Hybrid/On-Site) Company: BLN24 About Us ... We find strength in teamwork-a better you is a better us BLN24 is an award-winning Management ...

Lifecycle & Production Management: oversee the complete magazine lifecycle, including establishing production schedules, managing the publication cycle, and systematically tracking article versions ...

The Publications Specialist II - Magazine Editor is responsible for the comprehensive lifecycle management and editorial excellence of the agency's magazine. This senior-level role requires expertise ...

Manage scheduling and publication-cycle timelines for a high volume of documents * Track document versions through the full approval chain across editors, designers, and reviewers * Ensure all ...

Manage scheduling and publication-cycle timelines for a high volume of documents * Track document versions through the full approval chain across editors, designers, and reviewers * Ensure all ...

Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

Support document tracking, routing, version control, and publication activities. * Conduct research to verify information and support development of written products. * Assist with records management ...

$80 - $85/hr

Senior Tactical System Analyst (Airworthiness Publications) Virginia Beach, VA Salary Range: $80.00 ... Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize workload to ...

Review complex technical, operational, and policy-related documents for readability and accuracy. * Assist with document organization, indexing, records management, and publication preparation ...

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Publications Manager information

See Virginia salary details

$26

$42

$80

How much do publications manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for publications manager in Virginia is $42.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.88 and $53.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a publications manager do?

A Publications Manager oversees the planning, production, and distribution of print and digital materials such as magazines, journals, newsletters, and reports. They coordinate with writers, editors, designers, and printers to ensure content quality and timely delivery. Publications Managers are also responsible for maintaining brand consistency, managing budgets, and ensuring that all materials meet organizational and industry standards.

What are the main challenges publications managers face when coordinating content across multiple departments?

Publications Managers often encounter challenges in ensuring consistency and accuracy when collaborating with various departments, such as marketing, legal, and design. Balancing input from multiple stakeholders while maintaining tight publication deadlines requires strong organizational and communication skills. Additionally, adapting content to fit different formats and audiences, and managing approval processes, are common hurdles. Successful Publications Managers proactively facilitate cross-team communication and establish clear workflows to streamline production.

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

To thrive as a Publications Manager, you need expertise in editorial processes, project management, and content strategy, often supported by a degree in communications, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with publishing software such as Adobe InDesign, content management systems (CMS), and experience with digital publishing platforms is typically required. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams set top candidates apart. These skills ensure high-quality, timely publication output and effective coordination of complex editorial projects.

What is the difference between Publications Manager vs Content Coordinator?

AspectPublications ManagerContent Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees publication processes, manages editorial teams, and ensures publication qualityAssists in content creation, manages content calendars, and supports publishing tasks
Required SkillsProject management, editing, leadership, knowledge of publishing toolsContent writing, organization, basic editing, social media skills
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, media companies, academic institutionsMarketing teams, media agencies, corporate communications
Common UsageHigher-level publication planning and managementSupporting content production and distribution

The Publications Manager typically handles the overall publication process, managing teams and ensuring quality, while the Content Coordinator focuses on supporting content creation and scheduling. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but the Publications Manager has a broader oversight and leadership responsibility.

What are the most commonly searched types of Publications jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Publications jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Publications Manager jobs in Virginia?

For Publications Manager jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Publications Manager jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Publications Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Publications Manager job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 9% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,494 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Publications Specialist Level 2 - Magazine Editor

Mclean, VA • On-site

Venesco LLC
51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Publications Specialist Level 2 - Magazine Editor
SSI-Venesco JV LLC • Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, McLean, VA / FHWA Headquarters, Washington, DC • Full-time • Contingent upon contract award
About the Role
You will run a Federal agency's flagship full-color quarterly magazine - a publication read by transportation professionals worldwide, including State and local transportation officials, researchers, industry leaders, academia, and members of Congress.
This is a senior role that combines the logistics of a quarterly publication cycle with high-level editorial judgment. Multiple issues run concurrently, so you will be closing one issue, producing another, and planning a third at the same time. You own the production schedule, the approval chain, and the final quality of what goes out the door.
You are also the connective tissue of the program: between authors and designers, between technical reviewers and legal counsel, between the editorial calendar and the marketing calendar.
Responsibilities:
Lifecycle and production management
  • Oversee the complete magazine lifecycle for four issues per year - feature articles, regular departments, and special thematic issues.
  • Establish and hold production schedules, manage the publication cycle, and systematically track article versions through the full approval chain.
  • Coordinate and manage resources so each issue delivers by its due date while multiple issues run concurrently.

Editorial and writing
  • Provide high-level editorial support at all stages of production, assisting with content development and promotional materials.
  • Develop and write or edit feature articles, department content, announcements, summaries, and associated communications products.
  • Apply strict version control and quality assurance throughout editing and document production.

Story development and coordination
  • Gather and track story ideas, conduct interviews to verify or gather information, and organize stories across issues.
  • Compile a summary of proposed featured stories for Editorial Board review. Work with authors to ensure all necessary materials are received, arrange technical reviews, and validate that review feedback was incorporated.
  • Coordinate with printing specialists, copyright liaisons, Section 508 compliance officers, public affairs specialists, writers, editors, visual designers, and web developers.

Compliance and quality control
  • Ensure every article and the complete magazine adhere to the GPO Style Manual, the Chicago Manual of Style, the TFHRC RD&T Communication Reference Guide, and Section 508 accessibility requirements.
  • Confirm all necessary sign-offs and approvals are secured before public release, including management, legal counsel, and public affairs.
  • Manage complex review processes involving multiple stakeholders with competing timelines.

Distribution and archive
  • Manage the administrative aspects of distribution and formatting specifications.
  • Support posting the magazine to the web and distributing it through the agency's subscription platform.
  • Deliver an archive package of digital files for each issue - a web file, a file copy, and any additional archive copies including layout files, fonts, and images.
  • Monitor mailboxes and customer feedback mechanisms, respond to inquiries, and maintain project spreadsheets and reviewer contact lists.

Requirements
Required Qualifications
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism, or a closely related field. A Master's degree or an equivalent advanced professional certification is highly desirable.

Experience:
  • A minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in editorial and publication management.
  • A proven track record of overseeing the production of a periodical, preferably a technical or specialty publication such as a transportation or research journal.
  • Demonstrated experience managing a recurring publication cycle end to end, including production scheduling and version tracking through a multi-stakeholder approval chain.
  • Demonstrated Section 508 compliance experience in published content.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with a Federal or Government-sponsored publication.
  • Experience in transportation, especially highway and surface transportation research.
  • Experience coordinating with a design and layout team working in Adobe InDesign.
  • Experience conducting author and subject matter expert interviews to develop feature content.

Technical Skills and Competencies
  • Expertise in project management for recurring publication cycles.
  • Advanced proficiency in substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
  • Deep understanding of Section 508 compliance and Federal publishing standards.
  • Ability to manage complex approval workflows and coordinate between technical and creative teams.
  • Comfort with editorial tracking systems, spreadsheets, and database reporting.

Location, Schedule, and Credentialing
  • Onsite at TFHRC in McLean, VA and/or FHWA Headquarters in Washington, DC, with offsite work permitted subject to client approval.
  • Business hours fall between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, with a one-half hour unpaid lunch. Full-time baseline is 1,880 productive hours per year.
  • Unclassified position. A USDOT badge is required, which means a favorable HSPD-12 / PIV background check at the low risk / non-sensitive level - a National Agency Check with Inquiries including fingerprinting, covering the past five years. Work cannot begin until FHWA Personnel Security authorizes the candidate to report.

How to Apply
  • Submit a résumé of no more than two pages that clearly states your education, your years of relevant experience, and the specific programs and products you worked on.
  • Include a portfolio or work samples - publications, layouts, articles, campaigns, videos, or live web pages you personally produced. Redact anything not cleared for public release.
  • Be prepared to sign a letter of intent to accept employment contingent upon contract award, and to undergo a Federal background investigation.