What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Editor position at The Metropolitan Museum of Art?
About the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal : creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.
At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Respect : Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
Inclusivity : Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
Collaboration : Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
Excellence : Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.
Integrity : Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
As the Associate Editor, you will primarily edit gallery texts to ensure that they align with the museum strategic plans and commitments. You will collaborate with authors to produce interpretive materials that engage visitors, inspire appreciation, and encourage further study. You will support the both the Manager of Editorial Interpretation and other editorial staff in collaborating with curators to copyedit exhibition and publication texts, review and circulate proofs, collate and enter proofreading corrections, and complete other related administrative tasks.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
Edit and proofread gallery texts (overviews, object labels, etc.) for a broad range of exhibitions and collection installations
Participate in development of gallery texts, from initial interpretation planning stages through all phases of design development, editing, proofreading, correction, and installation
Collaborate closely with Manager of Editorial Interpretation, fellow editors, Exhibition Project Managers, Curatorial, Design, Education, Digital, Buildings, and other stakeholders to define project scopes and develop and maintain schedules
Create and maintain style sheets for each project and collection area, in consultation with fellow editors
Edit smaller-scale publications and assist with other editing and proofreading needs of Publications and Editorial Department when time permits, as determined by Associate Publisher for Editorial
Reflect Museum’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) initiatives in all work
Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
B.A. degree in humanities or higher
2-3 years of editing and publishing experience, preferably with museum labels, exhibitions, and installations
Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness
Ability to create, follow, and maintain schedules
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Familiarity with and interest in museum interpretation issues and best practices
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Proficiency in InDesign
Background in art history and / or humanities
Knowledge of editing and museum practices
COMPENSATION RANGE :
Pay Range : $70,000.00 - $72,000.00 / Annually
The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states : New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.
Benefits Offerings
The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note : Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
- Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
- Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
- Free financial-planning services
- Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
- 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
- A subsidized staff cafeteria
- Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
Researchshows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact .
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
Salary : $70,000 - $72,000
