Executive Editor, California magazine

The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) provides all Cal graduates with rewarding connections to the university, to fellow alums, and to current students. Founded by the original graduates of the University of California in 1872, the Cal Alumni Association today represents more than half a million alums living throughout the world.

Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong relationship with our alma mater by connecting and inspiring alums, students, and the campus community through meaningful and inclusive opportunities. We foster a culture that celebrates diversity, creates a sense of belonging, and advances equity.

Position overview: 

California is an editorially independent magazine published by the non-profit Cal Alumni Association. Founded in 1895, the magazine reports on the world of UC Berkeley and UC Berkeley in the world. California is published quarterly in print and maintains an active digital presence across multiple channels and formats including The Edge podcast, our website, californiamag.org, The Telegraph newsletter, and various social media. It also produces California Live!, a quarterly live event.

The Executive Editor is an experienced editorial leader who works closely with the Editor in Chief to shape and execute the magazine’s editorial vision. This is a hands-on editing role for a seasoned journalist who brings a network of potential contributors to draw from, can manage stories from pitch to final draft, cultivate relationships with writers and sources, and help run a small but ambitious editorial team. The Executive Editor will take on many of the day-to-day editorial responsibilities, freeing the Editor in Chief to focus on story prospecting, campus relationships, and long-term planning around the magazine's larger editorial mission.

Editorial independence is a core value of California magazine. Candidates should be prepared and excited to work in an environment where that independence is exercised with conviction.

Candidates must be based in the Bay Area. Work is done remotely but Cal Alumni Association employees work from the office twice a week. The Cal Alumni Association is located on the UC Berkeley campus in Berkeley, CA. 

Supervision: 

The Executive Editor, California magazine reports to the Editor-in-Chief. 

Location and Work Schedule: 

The position is located in Berkeley, CA at the Alumni House on the University of California, Berkeley campus. Work hours must be in line with traditional business hours to provide real-time customer service and support to our passengers. The position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule in line with job duties and business needs, with some time working in the office and some time working remotely each week. Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to support CAA and campus events. Please note that remote work must be performed in the state of California.

Pay and Benefits:  

This position is classified as an at-will, full-time, exempt position. The pay range is $100,000 and $120,000 annualized.  This job is eligible to participate in healthcare benefits, a retirement plan with company match, and generous vacation and holiday time-off.  CAA staff, while not University of California employees, are eligible for many UC Berkeley staff programs, professional development and networking opportunities, and discounts on campus. We have a friendly and professional environment, and we pride ourselves on our team approach.

Responsibilities:

• Commission, assign, and edit features, profiles, and front-of-book stories for the print magazine, working closely with the Editor in Chief on editorial direction and story development.
• Serve as lead editor on multiple features per issue, managing contributors from assignment through final draft.
• Assist the Editor in Chief with final edits on major pieces.
• Oversee and maintain editorial quality across platforms. 
• Manage and mentor the editorial staff, including the Senior Editor and Associate Editor.
• Collaborate with the Managing Editor on production scheduling and workflow.
• Attend and support quarterly California Live! events and assist with programming.
• Report and write occasionally, as needed.

Required qualifications:

• Minimum seven to ten years of experience in journalism or magazine editing, with a strong portfolio of edited long-form work.
• Exceptional editing skills across a range of styles and formats — narrative, investigative, profiles, Q&A, and criticism.
• Demonstrated ability to work with writers at all levels, from early-career to established journalists.
• Sound news judgment and a commitment to journalistic ethics, including editorial independence
• Familiarity with fact-checking protocols and legal considerations in publishing.
• Ability to manage multiple stories and contributors simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Curiosity across a wide range of subjects — science, technology, arts, athletics, policy, and culture 
• Proficiency with Google Docs, Adobe Acrobat, and standard editorial tools.
• Flexibility to accommodate occasional evening and weekend commitments, particularly during production cycles.
• Must submit to and pass driving record, consumer report, and FBI/DOJ fingerprint background investigations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of UC Berkeley, its history, culture, and academic community.
• Interest in and familiarity with college athletics.
• Curiosity about and familiarity with tech and science topics.
• Experience creating and managing social media for a publication or organization.