Simply Sewing is the UK’s Number One sewing brand. The role of the Technical Editor is to provide a foundation of technical accuracy, from editing project instructions, technical features, and dressmaking patterns, to ensuring that projects are completed and appropriate to the magazine style.

The Technical Editor is responsible for actively contributing to the creative direction of the magazine, writing how-to features, and keeping their finger on the pulse of industry developments. It is also the responsibility of the Technical Editor to manage the process of dress pattern production; from external graders, sample sewists and 3rd party pattern brands, right through to the Simply Sewing Etsy shop.

Responsibilities:

There are two main parts to the role – general Technical Editor duties (part 1) and more specialised duties related to dressmaking (part 2). This means there is the potential for this role to be offered on a job-share basis for candidates who have expertise in one area.

Part 1:

• Coordinate the flow of project material from designer to Art Editor, ensuring all text and step photos are present at the beginning of each issue and liaising with the designers. Chase contributors who have not provided text or materials.
• Write and produce technical features and workshops, where necessary, for use in print or on the website; gathered.how.
• Edit all raw copy for dressmaking patterns, formatting and editing the instruction text, step images, layplans, working drawings, size charts etc.
• Be the point of contact for technical queries from readers via email and social media.

Part 2:

• Edit all raw copy for dressmaking patterns, formatting and editing the instruction text, step images, layplans, working drawings, size charts etc.
• Arrange grading with external pattern graders to increase our pattern size range.
• Label patterns with technical information and redraw layplans/working drawings using Illustrator, if required.
• Upload (All Rights only) patterns as listing in our Simply Sewing Etsy shop. Liase with Senior Art Editor to get artwork and files needed

For a full list of responsibilities, please see the job description.

Requirements
Essential:
For Part 1:

• Practical understanding of pattern production (grading, layplans, size chart etc) and ability to spot errors, edit and amend all elements.
• Competent using Word, InDesign, Illustrator
• Competent subbing and writing skills

For Part 2:

• Competent dressmaking sewing skills

Non-essential: 

• Experience working on a magazine / publishing role, adhering to deadlines
• Competent uploading content to social media platforms / Etsy shop
• Other information
  

We respect and value differences. We believe that when people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives work together, we can create the most value for our people, readers, customers, and society. If you are excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with everything listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway, as you may still be a good fit for this or other roles.

We’re striving to create a more diverse and inclusive environment and to ensure our content is representative of all our audiences. We have established five internal D&I network groups to help our people feel supported and included, and to provide an open environment for people to network, mentor and exchange ideas, solutions, and experiences. If there is anything we can do to make our recruitment process more accessible for you, please do let us know at recruitment@ourmedia.co.uk.

Flexible and hybrid working

We know we create great things and have fun when we come together in person and collaborate. We also know that working from home brings great benefits in terms of being able to focus on our work and manage our personal lives around our roles. With this in mind, we have established a hybrid working pattern, with 60% of the working week in the office.

For this role, we can offer even more flexibility and would consider fully remote. Our people also benefit from a flexi time policy, and a flexi location policy which gives everyone the opportunity to work from another location for two weeks during the year.

We are open to discussion about flexible working requests for any flexibility needs not covered by these policies.

Company benefits include

• Pension contribution matched to 5%
• Season ticket loan
• Hybrid working pattern, flexi start/finish time
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, plus Christmas closure, plus your birthday off
• Option to buy/sell up to 5 days holiday a year
• Social committee, regular in-house learning events
• 4x life assurance

Our values

We strongly believe that work is not just about what we achieve, but how we achieve it. We want our people to thrive and develop, and we want to effect positive change in the world.

We have an ambitious and robust sustainability strategy, which includes a zero-to-waste, renewable-energy-fuelled office at Eagle House, the complete removal of single-use plastics from our supply chain, and a roadmap to be fully carbon neutral by 2030.

To put that spirit at the heart of our business, we recently co-created a set of values with input from everyone here. Our values are:

• Be kind
• Always curious
• Be the best we can be

Apply today to take the next step in your career with Our Media. The closing date for this role is 11 June 2023, however, we may close the role before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

About Us

Our Media is part of the Immediate Media group, named one of the Best Places to Work in the UK 2022 by recruitment website Glassdoor. We place huge importance on the wellbeing, support and development of our people, and we are hugely proud of our friendly and open culture.

We aim to provide an environment where all our people feel they belong, can take risks and have a purpose.

Whether you join us in Content, Sales, Account Management, Ad Operations, Production, Subscriptions, Marketing or one of our central teams, you will be joining a company where everyone is passionate about what we do.

You’ll see creativity and collaboration in action every day, as well as a commitment to transparency that ensures everyone knows how we are progressing. And we like to have a fun along the way, with a range of social and reward & recognition opportunities taking place throughout the year.