managing editor
B2-C1Formal, professional, journalistic, academic publishing.
Definition
Meaning
A senior editorial role responsible for overseeing the daily operations, workflow, and production process of a publication, typically a newspaper, magazine, or journal.
A professional who coordinates between different departments (e.g., writers, sub-editors, designers), enforces deadlines, manages budgets, and often has significant input into content strategy and editorial decisions, but usually reports to the editor-in-chief.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound job title. The head of the entire editorial operation is usually the 'editor-in-chief' or simply 'editor'. The managing editor is often the operational second-in-command. It is distinct from a 'section editor' who oversees a specific area (e.g., sports, features).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The role and title are largely identical in function. In the UK, 'production editor' might be a closer synonym. In the US, 'managing editor' is a very common and well-defined title in newsrooms.
Connotations
Slightly more common and prestigious in major US news organisations (e.g., The New York Times). In the UK, the structure might be flatter, with 'deputy editor' sometimes assuming similar duties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prevalence of the title in its media industry.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Managing Editor of [Publication/Organization]Managing Editor for [Department/Section]serve/act as Managing EditorVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The buck stops with the managing editor”
- “To wear the managing editor's hat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in publishing company organisational charts and job descriptions.
Academic
Common title for the person running the day-to-day operations of a scientific journal or university press.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation unless discussing someone's job in media.
Technical
A specific role in editorial workflow software and publishing management systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She holds the managing-editor role at the literary review.
- The managing editor responsibilities were extensive.
American English
- He applied for the managing editor position at the news site.
- A managing editor meeting was scheduled for noon.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My aunt is the managing editor of a small magazine.
- The managing editor makes sure the newspaper is printed on time.
- After several years as a senior reporter, she was promoted to managing editor.
- The managing editor liaises between the journalists and the design team to meet tight deadlines.
- In her capacity as managing editor, she overhauled the peer-review process, significantly reducing publication times.
- The managing editor's purview extends beyond content to include budgetary oversight and staff management.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MANAGES the EDITORial process. Not the top editor, but the one who manages the machinery of getting content published.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MANAGING EDITOR IS A CONDUCTOR (orchestrating the different sections of the publication). A MANAGING EDITOR IS A TRAFFIC CONTROLLER (directing the flow of articles).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как "управляющий редактор" — это калька. Стандартный термин — "ответственный редактор" или "шеф-редактор", но контекст важен. "Главный редактор" обычно — editor-in-chief.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'editor-in-chief'. Using 'manager editor' (incorrect). Forgetting the hyphen when using it as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., managing-editor position is less common; 'managing editor position' is standard).
Practice
Quiz
Who does a managing editor typically report to in a traditional newspaper hierarchy?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'editor' (or editor-in-chief) sets the overall vision, tone, and editorial direction. The 'managing editor' focuses on implementing that vision through daily operations, workflow, and production management.
Typically, yes. A 'senior editor' often handles content for a specific area or high-level editing. A 'managing editor' usually has administrative and supervisory responsibility over multiple editors or the entire production process, placing them higher in the organisational structure.
It is overwhelmingly associated with publishing (news, magazines, journals, books). In other fields like film or software, similar roles might be called 'production manager', 'project manager', or 'lead editor'.
While most managing editors have strong editorial and writing backgrounds, the role emphasises project management, leadership, and organisational skills. Deep industry knowledge is often more critical than being the best writer.