Lead Editor and Content Writer

Job Title: Lead Editor and Content Writer

Department: Marketing

Reports to: Marketing Manager

Position Purpose:

The Lead Editor and Content Writer is responsible for editing, refining and publishing high-quality automotive content while developing original editorial articles designed to increase website traffic, expand readership, and strengthen audience engagement across the ClassicCars.com Journal and related digital properties.

This position plays a central role in maintaining editorial quality and consistency by reviewing, correcting and improving content submitted by team members and freelance writers. The ideal candidate is an experienced editor and creative writer with strong attention to detail, excellent editorial judgment and an understanding of digital publishing, SEO and audience development.

Daily responsibilities include editing and proofreading articles, improving content structure and readability, developing original story ideas, writing engaging automotive content, managing editorial workflows and publishing content through WordPress.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Edit, proofread and refine articles written by team members, freelance writers and other contributors to ensure accuracy, clarity, grammar, readability, consistency and adherence to editorial standards.
• Identify and correct factual inaccuracies, grammatical errors, inconsistencies and other editorial issues before publication.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to writers to improve the quality and consistency of submitted content.
• Research, develop and write original automotive articles, features and other editorial content covering classic cars, collector vehicles, automotive history, industry news, trends, personalities and enthusiast interests.
• Identify compelling story ideas and content opportunities that have the potential to generate website traffic, increase readership and improve audience engagement.
• Optimize editorial content for search engines, including headlines, keywords, metadata, internal linking and article structure.
• Publish and manage editorial content using WordPress, ensuring proper formatting, images, links and other digital elements.
• Collaborate with writers, marketing and media teams to maintain a consistent editorial voice and publishing schedule.
• Maintain editorial calendars, publishing schedules and content production workflows.
• Stay current with automotive industry developments, digital publishing trends, SEO best practices, and evolving audience interests.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Professional experience in editing, copyediting, journalism, creative writing, content marketing or digital publishing.
• Proven editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to improve the clarity, accuracy, structure and overall quality of written content.
• Strong creative writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to develop engaging original articles and compelling headlines.
• Experience reviewing and editing content written by other contributors.
• Strong research skills and attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of SEO principles and digital content optimization.
• Experience using WordPress or a comparable content management system (CMS) to publish and manage digital content.
• Familiarity with web analytics and content performance metrics preferred.
• Background or demonstrated interest in classic cars, collector vehicles or the broader automotive industry preferred.
• Experience managing freelance writers or editorial workflows preferred.
• Working knowledge of AP Style.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.