Managing Editor and Team Lead - AORN Journal

Join AORN and Make an Impact

The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) is seeking a Managing Editor and Team Lead to help advance patient and staff safety through evidence-based practice, education, and clinical resources that support perioperative nurses. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and career stages who are excited to bring their expertise to a mission-driven organization. 

In this role, you will lead the editorial strategy, production, and day-to-day operations of the AORN Journal while guiding a talented editorial team and collaborating with the Editor-in-Chief, publisher, and internal partners. Your leadership will ensure the delivery of accurate, timely, and valuable content that informs perioperative professionals and supports AORN’s mission.

Location: Remote
Headquarters: Denver, CO

Why You'll Love This Role

• Make a meaningful impact on patient and staff safety.
• Work remotely with a collaborative and supportive team.
• Contribute ideas that help shape the future of perioperative nursing.
• Join a culture that values innovation, inclusion, and professional growth.

Why Join AORN?

At AORN, you'll find purpose-driven work, an engaging remote culture, and a team dedicated to advancing perioperative nursing.

Our values guide everything we do:

• Innovation: Taking courageous and bold actions for growth and sustainability.
• Communication: Exemplifying respect, collaboration, transparency and honesty.
• Quality: Ensuring accountability and excellence.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness: Promoting fairness, valuing differences, considering all perspectives.
• Achievement: Achieving our mission, realizing the vision.

Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of expertise, you'll have the opportunity to contribute and make a difference.

What You’ll Do

The Managing Editor and Team Lead is responsible for the AORN Journal publication. They manage and oversee the work of the Journal editorial team and work closely with the Journal Editor-in-Chief and the Journal’s publisher. The Managing Editor and Team Lead also contributes to the overall Publications Team, taking on assignments identified by the Sr Director of Publications.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises the content of the Journal and the work of the Journal team, from planning through distribution; responsible for the quality of all Journal content and for ensuring the publication of accurate, relevant, timely and valuable content that meets the needs of authors, members, and other readers/subscribers. 
• Reviews and edits Journal content, including feature articles, columns, special reports, etc. Serves as the handling editor for the President’s Message column. 
• Selects and assigns the content for each monthly issue; creates and manages the workflow schedules for the Journal team members. Considers and tracks the annual page budget as part of content planning. 
• Creates an annual Journal editorial calendar with the Editor-in-Chief and Sr Director of Publications and updates and distributes it for internal and external stakeholders on a monthly basis. 
• Works closely with the Publications Editor to plan and support the development of Periop Briefing content; conceptualizes, reviews, edits, and proofs Periop Briefing articles. 
• Provides monthly issue lineups, along with cover information, and selects and coordinates approval of the cover image. 
• Builds and coordinates web assets for the Journal homepage on aornjournal.org and Journal pages on aorn.org; this includes managing the podcast selection, distribution, and invoice process.
• Ensures team efficiency and productivity. Identifies and helps implement process improvement initiatives related to author communications and relations, Author Guidelines, author outreach/solicitation efforts, peer review, etc. 
• Tracks and manages manuscripts in the manuscript & peer reviewing platform. Manages the export and transfer of all articles to the publisher.
• Establishes positive and effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the AORN Membership, Creative Services, Digital Marketing, and Nursing Departments, as well as the Journal publisher and ad sales team.
• Co-manages the review of the monthly issue proof stage (1^st and 2^nd revises) and notes all corrections needed at these final production stages. 
• Manages pre- and post-conference content coverage in the Journal, including speaker interviews, conference highlights, poster and award winners, etc. Coordinates with internal stakeholders to acquire necessary assets for layouts. 
• Recruits, trains, and manages performance of the Journal editorial team. 
• Meets regularly with the Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, as well as the publisher editorial, production, marketing, and ad sales teams. 
• Responsible for meeting the Journal expense budget and managing the payment of Journal related invoices.
• Manages the day-to-day Journal operations with the publisher and troubleshoots any problems that may emerge related to the print and/or digital editions. 
• In collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief and Sr Director of Publications, identifies and develops new Journal content features.
• Works closely with the publisher’s ad sales team to notify them of content that would interest advertisers and contributes to new advertising opportunities.
• Creates and oversees statements of work and contracts for editorial freelancers. Coordinates content project requirements, schedules, and payments. 
• Helps manage and lead the Publications department’s tasks and activities for the annual AORN Expo & Conference, including identifying the Journal booth objectives and activities, the creation of signage and forms, coordinating onsite events and meetings, creating supporting messaging for different content vehicles, etc. 
• Creates and gives presentations as needed.
• Assists the Editor-in-Chief in planning, implementing, evaluating, and improving the editorial content of the AORN Journal.
• Other duties as assigned. 

What You’ll Bring

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in Journalism, Publishing, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years relevant publishing experience, including as a Journal managing editor, with demonstrated strong performance in writing, editing, and proofreading, as well as project and team management. 
• 1+ years of experience leading or managing a team.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Scholarly and/or association publishing experience.
• Experience with healthcare and/or scientific publishing.
• Knowledge of American Medical Association (AMA) style guide.
• Experience and comfortable with new and developing publishing technologies, formats, and platforms. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and professional Adobe software.
• Proficient in use of manuscript management systems.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Deadline driven, able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work efficiently under deadline pressure, strong time management, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, excellent communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate positive relationships within the department as well as outside the department, with AORN members, staff, and partners.
• Ability to demonstrate and hold others accountable for organizational values of: Innovation, Communication, Quality, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusiveness, and Achievement.

Benefits & Well-Being

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, well-being, financial future, and professional growth.

Supporting Your Health & Well-Being

• Medical coverage, including PPO and HDHP options
• Dental and Vision insurance
• HSA and FSA options
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance available
• Critical illness and accident insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Calm subscription
• Pet insurance

 Supporting Your Financial Future

• 401(k) with immediate vesting
• Staff incentive bonus opportunity

 Supporting Your Life Outside of Work

• Generous paid time off
• 10 paid holidays annually
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 8 hours of paid volunteer time annually
• Remote work

 Supporting Your Professional Growth

• Access to Udemy learning resources
• Professional development opportunities

WORKING CONDITIONS

This remote position requires regular use of a computer, Microsoft Teams, and other business technology tools. Travel may be required to support departmental and Association activities.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed until the position is filled or a sufficient number of qualified applications has been received.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AORN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We encourage people with disabilities and from other diverse backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate based on disability.