managing editor

IPA/ˌmænɪdʒɪŋ ˈedɪtə(r)/
IPA/ˌmænɪdʒɪŋ ˈedɪtər/

managing editor — noun

1. a senior journalist whose job is to plan the daily production of a newspaper, ma

1.nounB2
Definition

a senior journalist whose job is to plan the daily production of a newspaper, magazine, or news website, including assigning stories, checking copy, and making sure everything is ready on time.

Example

Tamar worked as managing editor of the city paper for seven years before becoming editor-in-chief.

managing editor of [publication]

The managing editor called a meeting to discuss the layout of tomorrow's front page.

Common collocations
  • managing editor of [publication]
  • work as managing editor
  • appoint a managing editor
  • deputy managing editor
Synonyms
  • executive editor

    often focuses more on editorial decisions than daily production workflow

  • production editor

    narrower role limited to the technical production stage, not assigning stories

Common Mistakes

The managing editor writes all the articles himself.
The managing editor oversees the writers who produce the articles.
A managing editor manages the production process rather than writing content directly.

2. the senior editorial leader who supervises all editorial activities at a publica

2.nounB2
Definition

the senior editorial leader who supervises all editorial activities at a publication, sets content policy, and makes final decisions about what gets published.

Example

As managing editor, Ingrid had the final say on which op-eds would run.

had the final say on which [content] would run

The managing editor rejected the story because it did not meet the paper's ethical guidelines.

Common collocations
  • managing editor of [publication]
  • appoint a managing editor
  • serve as managing editor
Synonyms
  • editor-in-chief

    the highest editorial position, above managing editor in most newsrooms

Usage Note

Commonly used in US publishing contexts. In smaller newsrooms, the managing editor may handle both production and oversight duties.

Common Mistakes

The managing editor writes headlines and formats pages.
The managing editor sets the editorial direction and supervises the team.
The managing editor leads the team rather than performing hands-on layout work.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In a typical newsroom hierarchy, the editor-in-chief is the top position — the person who sets the overall vision and direction of the publication. Below them is the managing editor, who turns that vision into reality by managing the daily production workflow and coordinating between departments. An executive editor is a broader role that may combine the responsibilities of both, often focusing on editorial quality rather than day-to-day deadlines. A production editor has the narrowest role, dealing only with the final stages of layout and print preparation. For example, a managing editor might assign a breaking-news story to a reporter; the production editor then checks the final page proofs before printing.

managing editor ↗executive editoreditor-in-chief ↗production editor

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • appoint a managing editor
  • serve as managing editor
  • promote someone to managing editor
  • the managing editor's desk
  • deputy managing editor

Prepositions

Etymology

ItalianLatinEnglish

The title 'managing editor' combines 'manage' (from Italian 'maneggiare', meaning to handle or control) with 'editor' (from Latin 'editus', meaning put forth or published). The compound emerged in US newspaper offices during the late 19th century as publishing grew more complex and a single role was needed to coordinate the growing number of writers, copy editors, and designers.

First known use

1827

1827, in the meaning defined above