Standardbred Canada is seeking an enthusiastic, team-oriented self starter for the role of Associate Editor, TROT Magazine. The successful candidate should have a background in journalism, publishing and/or communications. Knowledge of horse racing or the equine industry would be an asset, but is not required.

Standardbred Canada is a membership based not-for-profit organization, and is the national leader that records and communicates information about Standardbred breeding and racing. TROT Magazine is the official publication of Standardbred Canada, now in its 46th year of operation. The Standardbred Canada website is internationally renowned, and a worldwide leader in providing news and information about harness racing, and the breed.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Associate Editor, TROT Magazine

REPORTS TO: Managing Director, TROT Magazine

JOB PURPOSE:

The Associate Editor, TROT Magazine is responsible for planning, creating, editing and writing for TROT Magazine; supporting the Standardbred Canada website with editorial contributions; and taking on a central role in Standardbred Canada’s social media reporting and communications responsibilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

TROT Magazine

• Manages the editorial content of TROT Magazine, working with the Managing Director and Production Coordinator to develop stories, features, front of book editorial, and special content.

• Works with writers, photographers and translators, copy editing stories, liaising, and meeting benchmarks and goals for editorial content.

• Works within the editorial and photographic budget as established for the department.

• Acts as the coordinator for TROT Magazine’s content, arranging for photographs and artwork which would assist in producing the magazine.

• Offers leadership in editorial design and ideas, working with others in the department to help develop a vision for the publication.

• Writes content for TROT, including features, columns, front of book content and any other material required for the magazine.

Social Media

• Assists in the development and implementation of a social media strategy at SC.

• Provides social media content on a regular basis, as determined under the social media strategy.

Website and other responsibilities

• Develops and write feature stories and other value added content for the website, which may include using various forms of multimedia (audio, video etc.), when assigned.

• Assists with communications, media relations and outreach, as required, including writing and distributing pitches, news releases and exclusive stories to the media.

• Travel, from time to time, to events, or for the purpose of covering stories or news.

• Reports on harness racing events across North America for the Standardbred Canada, when assigned.

Other Duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

Communication

• Eloquently composes clear, concise, and crisp messages to a variety of audiences.

• Gets messages across using elements of voice, tone, and volume at an appropriate level and within context.

• Eye contact, posture, gestures, and facial expressions are mostly used appropriately.

• Content is accurate and appropriate. Ideas are clear and opinions are supported.

Time Management

• Places a high value on his or her time and plans tasks accordingly.

• Makes quality time for the most important priorities.

• Adeptly handles several tasks at once.

• Looks ahead and doesn’t get stuck in the here and now, while attending to a broad range of activities.

Customer Focus

• Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders.

• Gets first-hand stakeholder information and assesses it to measure stakeholder satisfaction.

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and gains their trust and respect.

Interpersonal Skills

• Is warm, pleasant, and gracious; easy to approach and engage in conversation.

• Builds strong relationships with others inside and outside his or her area or organization.

• Uses diplomacy and tact to diffuse tense situations comfortably.

Problem Solving

• Uses a combination of logic, analysis, experience, wisdom, and methods to make sound, timely decisions and to solve problems.

• Probes appropriate sources for relevant information and answers to key questions; demonstrates persistence and skill in gathering information. Understands levels of inclusion necessary for ownership and effective action.

• Has solutions and suggestions that are effective and turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time.

• Is sought out by others for input and process support.

Teamwork

• Looks for opportunities to work with other groups or organizational areas.

• Initiates collaboration on projects or ways of operating.

• Discusses problems/issues with team members that could impact on results.

• Communicates expectations for teamwork and collaboration to the team.

Flexibility

• Realigns resources to meet changing customer needs.

• Takes feedback into consideration while implementing organizational change.

This job description is provided to capture the primary components of this role. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list. An individual may be required to perform other tasks which may not be listed but are consistent with the general intent of this role. From time to time, Standardbred Canada may make changes to this job description.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree or college diploma in English, Journalism, Communications or related experience

• Excellent news judgement and solid understanding of packaging, editing and writing content and headlines in a fast-paced, online editorial environment

• Basic HTML and Photoshop skills, and experience with online publication tools

• Strong oral, presentation, and writing skills

• Ability to work as part of a team.

To apply, email a cover letter and resume by Friday, March 8 to [email protected]. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.