Magazine features editor job profile

Features are at the heart of any magazine and it's the job of a magazine features editor to ensure they're topical, engaging and accurate

You'll play a key role in shaping in-depth, engaging content that goes beyond news and short articles. You'll commission, edit and sometimes write pieces that provide analysis, interviews and human-interest stories tailored to the magazine's audience and style.

Many opportunities are in large publishing companies that produce a range of titles. These include weekly and monthly consumer or lifestyle titles, as well as a variety of trade publications. Features editors are also employed by specialist publishers, online media platforms and in-house magazines.

You'll collaborate with section editors, freelance writers and photographers to develop compelling story ideas, often planning content months in advance. You'll need a keen editorial eye, strong storytelling skills and the ability to balance creativity with the practical demands of publication schedules.

Due to the rise of digital media, many magazines now have a digital-first approach, so you'll have to tailor content for both print and online platforms to ensure it resonates across multiple platforms and reaches a broader audience. Online content can include videos, interactive elements and social medial engagement, as well as written content.

Responsibilities

Tasks vary depending on the size of the publication, whether it's printed, online or both, and its target audience. However, you'll typically need to:

manage the layout, structure, content and overall presentation of feature articles to ensure consistency and high levels of engagement
generate and develop ideas by collaborating with writers and editorial staff to create compelling and relevant features topics
commission content from freelance and in-house writers, ensuring a diverse and high-quality range of features
manage writing staff and freelance feature writers, providing guidance, feedback and editorial support
review, edit, refine and sometimes rewrite articles, occasionally rejecting pieces or requesting significant revisions
work closely with designers, photographers and illustrators to enhance feature layouts with engaging and relevant photos and artwork
attend photo shoots to ensure that images align with the editorial vision and storytelling objectives
organise meetings with writers, designers and photographers to discuss and refine ideas for artwork, layout and features
use your editorial judgement to decide which feature articles to include in each issue
provide clear writer briefs outlining word counts, deadlines, fees and style requirements for commissioned pieces
negotiate contracts and fees with freelance writers
proofread all content and ensure it's accurate before going to press/publishing online
ensure that media law, copyright regulations and industry ethical guidelines are adhered to
help to raise the magazine's profile and develop relationships with writers, PR professionals and industry experts, for example, at events, conferences and meetings
keep up to date with current subject matter and consumer trends to ensure the magazine's content remains topical and competitive.

Salary

Salaries for junior positions such as editorial assistant or junior writer start at £18,000 to £22,000.
Salaries for magazine features editors can range from £20,000 to £40,000 depending on the size of the company, the type and popularity of the magazine, and location. The large national publishing companies are likely to pay more than a small independent publisher.
Salaries at senior level can range from £35,000 to £65,000. Your salary will depend on the responsibilities of the role and the size and type of company you work for.

Salaries vary significantly between different magazines. Salaries are also dependent on the success of the publications, which can change over time.

You're likely to start in a more junior role within a magazine, such as editorial assistant or junior reporter, where salaries will be lower. With experience you may then progress to the features editor role and gain a higher salary.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional extra hours to meet deadlines.

There are some opportunities for part-time or hybrid working.

Self-employment is rare, although it may be possible to work as a freelance writer as long as it doesn’t conflict with your editorial role.

What to expect

Most work is office based, although networking, particularly at industry events, can be an important part of the job.
There are several training bursaries available to help underrepresented groups break into a career in the media industry, including the National Union of Journalists (NUJ)'s George Viner Memorial Fund and The Guardian Foundation's Scott Trust Bursary.
There are opportunities throughout the UK, but many are concentrated in London and the South East. Many of the larger national magazines are based in London, although there are some opportunities for home working.
Many opportunities are with consumer or lifestyle magazines, trade publications and online platforms, either as part of a larger editorial team or in a smaller team where you may take on multiple responsibilities.
Travel opportunities vary between employers, but you may be expected to attend industry events, press trips and social events. Overseas travel is not common, but you may travel abroad for research and networking events. This is more common for publications that rely on information from overseas, such as international business or travel magazines.

Qualifications

Although the role of magazine features editor is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may improve your chances:

communications
English
journalism
publishing.

These subjects provide the opportunity to develop skills specifically in writing, editing, communication and content production.

Some specialist magazines, such as those in the business or science sectors, will usually require a degree in a relevant subject.

The profession is open to non-graduates, but most entrants have a degree or professional qualification. It may be possible to get an entry-level position and work your way up through gaining experience and professional qualifications. There are also opportunities to do an apprenticeship, work placement or internship.

Postgraduate qualifications can be useful but aren't essential. A Masters degree in journalism, for example, can be helpful if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated subject. Employers will be keen to see courses that are accredited by organisations such as the:

The role of magazine features editor is not an entry-level position, so you'll need previous experience and a certain amount of training, obtained either through a degree or on the job.

Skills

You'll need to have:

excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate ideas clearly and effectively
creativity to develop compelling feature ideas that will appeal to your target audience
the ability to use your editorial judgement to ensure content is relevant, accurate and engaging
the ability to collaborate effectively with both internal staff and external stakeholders
leadership and teamworking skills to guide and motivate a team of writers, designers and freelance writers
attention to detail, combined with an appreciation of the 'bigger picture'
commercial awareness
flexibility and a forward-thinking approach to adjust to changing trends and technologies
the ability to give and take constructive criticism
organisation and time management skills to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
an enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, your magazine's subject matter
interpersonal skills to help develop connections and positive relationships with industry professionals, writers and artists/photographers
an understanding of online content strategies, SEO and multimedia storytelling
awareness of media law and ethical standards in publishing.

Work experience

Competition for jobs as a magazine features editor, as with journalism and publishing jobs in general, can be fierce. You can improve your chances by gaining work experience before applying for an entry-level position.

You can start to build up a portfolio of published work by writing for student newspapers or local magazines and papers. Doing an internship or work placement at a newspaper, magazine or online media outlet is particularly useful as you'll be building up a network of contacts in addition to developing your writing and editing skills.

Freelance writing is another effective way to build your skills and experience. Pitching articles to various publications will help diversify your portfolio and show you can use your initiative. It's vital to do your research on any publication you contact, however, as editors won't be impressed if your suggested article demonstrates ignorance about the magazine and its readers.

Writing a regular personal blog and contributing to online platforms can further showcase your writing style and commitment. If you have a hobby, you can also try submitting articles to relevant magazines.

Remember, the quality of experience often outweighs quantity, so focus on producing well-crafted pieces that showcase your writing versatility, editorial judgement and interests.

Networking plays a vital role in looking for work and can result in job leads and potential collaborations. Attend industry events, workshops and seminars to connect with both professionals and peers and used LinkedIn to engage with industry groups.

Experience of photography can also be useful, and a second language can come in handy for international publications.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Magazine features editors are primarily employed by large publishing companies that produce a range of magazine titles, available in print, online or both. These publishers typically offer the most structured career paths and cover a broad range of topics, from lifestyle and entertainment to business and technology. However, opportunities also exist with smaller, independent publishers, which often focus on niche markets or specialist topics.

The rise of digital media has led to an increase in online-only magazines and digital content platforms. There are also some opportunities with in-house magazines, produced by companies, charities and other organisations. These types of magazine often focus on corporate communications, brand storytelling or industry insights.

Typical employers include:

large publishing houses - such as Bauer Media Group, Future and Immediate
independent magazine publishers
newspaper supplements - for example, those published by The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph
online publications and digital magazines
general consumer magazines covering topics such as arts, fashion, health and lifestyle
specialist consumer magazines covering areas such as technology, gaming and cars
business-to-business (B2B) or trade magazines - industry-focused publications
customer and in-house magazines - produced for specific brands, organisations or institutions.
To access a list of the UK's magazine publications, see media.info.

Look for job vacancies at:

HoldtheFrontPage
Journalism.co.uk
Cision Jobs
Campaign Jobs
publishing and media companies' own websites.

You'll often need to use your contacts and networks in the industry to find out about job openings.

Professional development

It's vital to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career to stay ahead in the fast-evolving media landscape. The publishing industry is constantly changing due to shifts in reader preferences, new trends and technological advancements. To remain competitive, you'll need to refine your editorial skills, stay informed about industry trends and adapt your writing to new content formats and platforms.

You can do this in a number of ways, including:

attending industry events and conferences where you can gain new insights and network with other professionals
taking short courses to improve your skills and knowledge in areas such as editorial management, digital skills and the use of AI in journalism and publishing
taking a professional qualification (if you don't already have one)
reading relevant trade publications and the specialist press.

Training, events and courses are offered by organisations such as the:

Developing your digital skills is important, and online courses in areas such as content management systems (CMS), social media strategy and audience engagement techniques, for example, can be useful. Other important areas include data journalism, analytics and AI-driven content tools that can help you deliver content that appeals to your target audience.

Networking also plays a crucial role in your career. Engaging with industry peers through professional bodies, such as the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME), can provide opportunities to exchange ideas, discover job openings and stay informed about best practices.

Career prospects

Typical entry-level roles include editorial assistant, junior writer or reporter. Progression to a magazine features editor role often involves getting experience as a features writer, sub-editor or deputy features editor, building a strong portfolio and demonstrating an ability to produce compelling, in-depth content.

It can take many years of writing and working for a magazine to be considered for a features editor position, but this can vary between publishers.

The larger magazines sometimes ask for previous experience as a features editor with a smaller publication, although extensive experience as a features writer, particularly with the magazine in question, is a common route into the role.

If you have strong leadership skills, there may be opportunities to advance into senior editorial positions such as deputy editor or editor-in-chief. This may take several years or it may be a more rapid progression, depending on the size of the company. Promotion can be more difficult with specialist titles, as it's not always possible to move between different magazine sectors when looking for a senior position.

Niche titles are more vulnerable to market changes, which can also limit the opportunities for promotion. Bottlenecks can occur at the highest level due to a shortage of senior positions.

With experience, there may be opportunities to move into freelance writing, editing or consulting.

Alternatively, you could move into related fields such as content marketing, brand journalism or corporate communications. Other options include book publishing, television or podcasting, where you can use your writing and editing skills in new formats.

Magazine features editor