Asterisk Magazine Seeks Managing Editor for Influential Role with $90,000-$120,000 Salary

Asterisk Magazine, a quarterly publication known for its in-depth exploration of ideas in AI, science, culture, policy, and social science research, has announced an opening for a Managing Editor. The Berkeley, California-based non-profit, founded in 2022, is looking for a professional to significantly shape its editorial direction and operations, offering a competitive salary range of $90,000 to $120,000, dependent on experience. The position is remote-friendly, with opportunities for engagement in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The magazine, an Effective Ventures project funded by Open Philanthropy, emphasized the unique nature of the role. "This a unique role, at a unique magazine, with the opportunity to heavily shape the feel and direction of Asterisk moving forward," the magazine stated in its announcement. The new Managing Editor will work closely with Editor-in-Chief Clara Collier, overseeing content from pitch to publication.

Key responsibilities for the Managing Editor include identifying stories, recruiting writers, and performing developmental and line-editing for long-form journalism. The role also entails managing Asterisk's monthly columnists across various fields, leading the production workflow for the quarterly print and digital publication, and coordinating with freelance fact-checkers and copyeditors. Additionally, the editor will design and write the weekly newsletter, manage online sales and print distribution, and handle social media engagement.

Asterisk is seeking candidates with a background in fields such as AI, global health, economics, or social sciences, coupled with a demonstrated ability to write for a popular audience. Familiarity with the Bay Area's intellectual scene, including Effective Altruism and rationalism, is also desired. The magazine highlighted its eclectic content, noting it has published diverse voices and topics ranging from AI's economic impact to personal explorations of Bay Area subcultures.

The role also emphasizes innovation, with the new hire expected to contribute to strategies for expanding readership and organizing events. Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance, a 10% 401(k) grant, and 25 days of paid time off annually. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis for this pivotal position within the growing publication.