Guitarist is the world’s longest-running guitar magazine and, as Managing Editor, I manage the quality, workflow and delivery of all brand products ‒ the magazine, its digital editions, and associated supplements and special issues. I contribute to the title’s prestige by meeting the readers' and industry's expectation for flawless and authoritative copy, research and presentation, and I ensure the magazine consistently reaches the printers on time. I do this via:• Meticulous sub-editing of InDesign documents in line with house style, which I maintain and communicate;• Rigorous proofreading pre Editor sign-off and at PDF approval;• Setting, maintaining and policing a solid yet flexible schedule;• Committing to continual communication with our Editor (deputising where/when necessary), writers and section editors to ensure briefs and deadlines are met and that copy workflow is smooth;• Working closely with our art editor to ensure a harmonious copy/design relationship throughout the magazine’s 156 pages;• Working with central service teams to manage all product activity.

I was brought into this new role to create and implement a production ‘hub’ across a portfolio of guitar brands. This involved:• Managing a team of three staff to deliver quality editorial production across two magazines and their associated digital and special editions;• Resolving scheduling conflicts and managing freelance production resource between the titles to ensure timely delivery to the printers;• Consolidating house style while maintaining separate brand identities.I also recruited and coached a graduate who received a promotion within a year.

I joined the newly launched lifestyle magazine and assisted the Editor in planning the structure and content of each issue, commissioning and – working closely with the Picture Editor – agreeing fees and IPR with contributors that best benefitted the company.I wrote and commissioned features and news, and wrote copy for email newsletters and marketing material. I managed day-to-day production from brief to publication, processing pages ready for Editor sign-off, checking accuracy, proper content crediting and house style.I built on industry knowledge and relationships, dealing with press representatives and high-profile industry figures, and represented the brand at events.I liaised with internal departments in order to build the quality and profile of the brand.

I managed the copy flow process from Editor’s brief to publication: I sub-edited all copy to house style, fitted InDesign pages, and signed off final PDFs. I deputised the Editor and supported the team in his absence.