Managing Editor - COLS | Literature, Writing, and Film

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Position Title:

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Job Profile:

Job Duties:

The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film in the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks an academic staff position to serve as the managing editor of the department’s national literary journal, Either/Or. This is a twelve-month position that includes teaching responsibilities in first-year English composition and/or creative writing courses. 

This will be a full-time Limited Appointment serving at the pleasure of the Chancellor. To learn more about this type of appointment please see the UW System Administrative Policy 1251: Appointment Terms & Designation of Positions and the Personnel Rules.

Responsibilities:

60% Managing Editor

Managing editor responsibilities will include overseeing the design, production, printing, promotion, revenue generation, and financial management for Either/Or.  The Managing Editor will work closely with the journal’s Editors-in-Chief as well as direct student interns.  The Managing Editor will organize the annual Either/Or Creative Writing Festival for high school students, and other public literary events related to the journal.

EDITORIAL DUTIES

• Oversee all editorial work and production schedules

• Approve the selection of all stories, essays, poems, and art to appear in Either/Or

• Manage editorial workflow through Submittable, including correspondence with writers about edits, copy-edits, and page proofs

• In conjunction with the magazine editors-in-chief, help top-edit all stories, essays, and poems to appear in the magazine

• Copy-edit all galleys in advance of production

• Finalize layout of magazine in InDesign

• In conjunction with editors-in-chief, write a “Letter from the Editors” for each issue, introducing the contents of that year’s edition

• Supervise student interns

PRODUCTION DUTIES

• Coordinate with printer and vendor suppliers

• Maintain issue inventory and shipping procedures

• Maintain magazine website, updating content to maximize reader engagement

• Oversee the fulfillment of contracts and payment for any contributors to the magazine

• Coordinate with UWW Foundation and the College of Letters & Sciences to fulfill all purchase orders and requests

PROMOTIONAL DUTIES

• Oversee social media accounts

• Organize issue release party and reading

• Work with the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement to develop promotional efforts

• Work to identify and apply for state, federal, and foundation grants

• Represent Either/Or at the annual Association of Writers and Publishers conference (AWP)

• Identify opportunities for revenue development through content packaging/diversification

40% teaching responsibilities

• Teach up to 12 credits annually, primarily in First-Year English, as well as courses in the creative writing program as needed.

Department Information:

The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film offers undergraduate programs in English literature, English literature and language arts education, creative writing, professional writing and publishing, and film studies. 

Founded in 2024, Either/Or is a national literary journal published annually and dedicated to showcasing innovative contemporary voices. For more information see www.eitherormagazine.com.

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Edits, revises, and proofreads materials and resolves errors or inconsistencies in style, syntax, grammar, and format

• Monitors the unit or program budget and approves unit expenditures

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Develops and enforces production phase deadlines and oversees editorial staff operational work plans and assignments

• Implements and monitors tracking system for manuscripts and publications to notify authors of publishing updates as needed

Department:

The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a minimum starting salary of $60,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D, MFA, or other terminal degree in English, Creative Writing, or related field.

• Experience teaching undergraduate courses in first-year English composition, creative writing, or literature at the college level

• Minimum one year experience working on a literary journal or press

• Strong commitment to teaching and student success

• Familiarity with contemporary literary culture

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with InDesign, Submittable, and Squarespace or comparable publishing software platforms.

• Managing Editor experience on a literary journal or press

• Record of publication in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents. A candidate can upload up to 5 documents as part of their application, if asked to upload more than 5 documents please zip the files and title accordingly.

• Cover letter/letter of interest

• Statement of teaching philosophy

• 10-15 page writing sample of creative work

• Curriculum Vita

• Names and contact information for three professional references (letters of recommendation may be solicited at a later time)

• Copies of unofficial graduate transcripts (Official transcripts will be required if offered the position)

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Nicholas Gulig

Associate Professor

Department of Literature, Writing, and Film

guilgn@uww.edu

262-472-1041

To Ensure Consideration:

Completed applications received by December 31st, 2025, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in phone and/or online screening interviews and/or on campus interviews.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.   

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.