Senior Editor

The Art Institute Of Chicago - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

About the position

The Senior Editor at the Art Institute of Chicago plays a crucial role in developing, editing, and managing a variety of publications that connect audiences with the museum's collections and exhibitions. This position involves overseeing projects from conception to completion, collaborating with various departments, and ensuring high-quality editorial standards across print and digital formats.

Responsibilities

• Develops, edits, and manages a range of print and digital publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, books for general readers, brochures, and in-gallery interpretive materials.
• Leads ongoing conceptualization, development, and management of the Art Institute Review (AIR), coordinating an interdepartmental team in devising and administering the journal's mission, vision, values, and goals.
• Communicates with freelance editors, indexers, proofreaders, and translators; administers contracts with authors and peer reviewers.
• Collaborates with Executive Director of Publishing, Editorial Director, and Director of Production to establish and maintain project schedules.
• Works with curators and colleagues in Interpretation, Design, and Experience Design to edit and produce didactic texts, including labels, wall texts, digital labels, and other interpretive materials.
• Participates in the exhibition planning process and edits précis, loan letters, and grant applications as necessary.

Requirements

• Master's degree in art history, literature, or a related humanities discipline required.
• Minimum 6-8 years of editorial experience in a museum publications department, university press, or trade publishing house required.
• Proven ability to perform all aspects of the editorial process and manage complex projects, particularly while working independently.
• Demonstrate excellent editing skills, as well as grammar and writing skills, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style preferred.
• Familiarity with book design and editing software (such as InDesign) will be highly valued.

Nice-to-haves

• Exposure to graduate study in the fine arts strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in foreign language(s) is highly valued.
• Experience in editing for digital publications preferred.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions