Executive Editor

Role Overview
 The Executive Editor of Another Chicago Magazine (ACM) is a senior visionary leader responsible for shaping the magazine’s long-term creative, cultural, and political direction. This role is less about day-to-day operations and more about setting a bold editorial agenda; identifying opportunities for ACM to distinguish itself in the national literary landscape; and ensuring that the magazine serves as a credible, compelling voice in the creative community on urgent social and political issues.

The Executive Editor champions the magazine’s mission while cultivating an ecosystem in which genre editors, staff, and volunteers can do their most impactful work. This leader orchestrates editorial priorities, assigns high-level responsibilities, and ensures the magazine’s evolving identity reflects both artistic innovation and the publication’s longstanding commitments to justice and community.

Key Responsibilities

•  Establish and refine the long-term editorial vision for ACM, identifying areas where the magazine can innovate, differentiate, and lead within the literary and political discourse.
•  Serve as a public-facing ambassador for the magazine, strengthening ACM’s position as a trusted voice in Chicago’s creative community and beyond.
•  Guide and empower genre editors, staff, and volunteers by setting strategic priorities, assigning editorial responsibilities, and fostering a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
•  Identify and cultivate partnerships, projects, and opportunities that expand the magazine’s reach, cultural relevance, and influence.
•  Provide high-level oversight for grant strategy and major initiatives, ensuring that the magazine’s editorial vision aligns with opportunities for sustainable growth.
•  Offer thought leadership on political, cultural, and artistic issues that intersect with the magazine’s mission.
   

Qualifications

•  Minimum 15 years of professional experience in the academic, literary, education, publishing, or general writing fields.
•  Demonstrated ability to lead with vision, inspire creative teams, and manage complex editorial ecosystems.
•  Deep familiarity with contemporary literature, literary magazines, and emerging artistic discourse.
•  Exceptional organizational, strategic-thinking, and communication skills.
•  Creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative spirit.
•  A strong sense of humor/an ability to balance both rigor and play in the editorial process.
•  Preferred: Significant experience in nonprofit leadership or management.