Managing Editor of PUBLIC Journal (York University)
Deadline: August 10th, 11:59pm (EDT)
Employment Type: Part-Time / Contract-Limited
Salary: $38,000
Benefits: Standard York U employee health & wellness package
Start Date: November 1st, 2026
PUBLIC: Art | Culture | Ideas (est. 1988) invites applications for the role of Managing Editor, to be carried out in fulfillment of a postdoctoral fellowship within the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) at York University (Toronto). This is a one-year contract-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal/extension.
Minimum requirements:
Applicants must reside within the Greater Toronto Area, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have access to a vehicle, be able to safely lift 30 pounds, and have either recently graduated from their PhD or successfully defended. (Please see below for applicable areas and disciplines.)
About the Journal
PUBLIC: Art | Culture | Ideas is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal that explores the intersection of visual cultures and critical studies. For nearly 40 years, it’s served as a hybrid intellectual and creative forum focused on the intersections of aesthetic, theoretical, and critical discourse. In each themed issue, PUBLIC encourages a wide-ranging dialogue by bringing together the voices of artists, theorists, curators, philosophers, creative writers, and historians.
Responsibilities
PUBLIC’s Managing Editor leads every aspect of the journal’s production, as well as marketing, distribution, and finance. They are the central node for the journal’s operations and must possess superb communication and organizational skills, collaborating frequently with guest editors, copyeditors, and designers, and liaising with contributors and institutional partners. The Managing Editor is also responsible for larger organizational matters of governance, grant writing and reporting, and overseeing fundraising and outreach initiatives.
As the primary contact and representative for PUBLIC, the Managing Editor is expected to identify opportunities to grow the journal’s audience and reach, such as: establishing collaborations and partnerships with like-minded institutions locally, across Canada, and internationally; securing subscriptions, sales, and donations through promotional drives; coordinating marketing and publicity campaigns; updating, maintaining, and consulting on programming for the website as well as PUBLIC Forum, our online magazine; managing existing databases; the creation and distribution of e-newsletters and regular posts to social media; and the organizing of issue launches and other special events like artist talks and symposia.
Qualifications
- PhD (or ABD w/ defence date scheduled) in one or more of the following: Art History, Archival Sciences, Communication Arts/Studies, Curatorial Practice, Design, English, Fine Art, Film Studies, Literature, Media Studies, Media Arts
- Admin experience: 5+ years of experience, preferably in the arts and/or marketing and communications space
- Production experience: Managing and/or working on publications (print and digital), including a proven history of publishing activities that relate to art and visual culture
- Technical Skills: Superior communication skills; Document creation and version management (e.g., contracts, invoices, support letters, etc.); Demonstrated excellence in content and copy editing skills related to both creative and academic content; Basic proficiency in bookkeeping and previous experience in managing finances for an organization; Basic proficiency in design and post-production software: Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, and WordPress
- Established record of project management experience, including events and launches
- Previous experience with grant-writing and/or not-for-profit fundraising
- Familiarity with CARFAC and artistic versus academic standards for compensation
To Apply
Send the following materials as PDF attachments to jobs@publicjournal.ca with the subject line “Managing Editor 26/27”:
- Cover letter (2 pages max.) that outlines your interest in the publication and the role as well as how the opportunity fits into your larger career goals
- Curriculum Vitae (5 pages max.)
- Samples of Previous Work (3 links or 8 pages max. of documentation), may include any of the following: Published articles, essays, criticism; Art/design portfolio or individual projects; Curatorial projects and catalogues; Promotional campaigns
- Contact Information for 3 Professional References
PUBLIC is committed to supporting a diversity of voices, ideas, and viewpoints in our publishing. We welcome applications from those who identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Colour (POC) of all abilities, genders, and sexual orientations. We are particularly interested in the perspectives of those whose communities and histories have been diminished or excluded.
General queries can be sent to public@yorku.ca
