Assistant Editor - Funworld and IAAPA News

Job Description

Job Description

About IAAPA

IAAPA is the global association for the attractions industry. Our purpose is to bring the global attractions family together and our mission is to inspire, grow, and protect the industry through member connections.

IAAPA represents the diverse and ever-changing attractions industry. For over a century, IAAPA has connected companies of all sizes and people of all levels to provide meaningful experiences for their guests around the world.

IAAPA hosts global events and conferences that provide a showcase for innovation, support trade, and facilitate the sharing of best practices. We also provide valuable tools and resources that make member businesses smarter, safer, and more profitable while delivering guest experiences that delight and provide memories that last a lifetime.

Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents leading industry attractions; manufacturers, suppliers, and consultants; and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members own and operate a variety of location-based entertainment venues and attractions including amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, cruise lines, and cultural and natural attractions.

Overall Responsibilities:

The Assistant Editor for Funworld Magazine and IAAPA News is a key contributor to IAAPA’s global communications strategy actively contributing to the production of Funworld magazine, digital articles posted to the IAAPA News Hub (IAAPA.org/News), a portfolio of IAAPA News-branded email newsletters, and social media posts. This role blends writing, content creation, copyediting, production management, and payment processing. The Assistant Editor navigates vendor relationships to deliver high-quality, industry-focused journalism to a global audience of attractions professionals. This in-person position in Orlando, Florida, requires unbiased editorial judgment, cross-functional collaboration, and accountability for editorial quality, standards, and deadlines.

Essential Duties:

Assistant Editor Editorial Responsibilities

• Commission, write, and edit original editorial content for Funworld magazine, digital stories posted to the IAAPA News Hub, and newsletter products while ensuring clarity, accuracy, active voice, and consistency with AP Style and the IAAPA Style Guide.
• Guide development of articles with freelance authors from concept development through final publication in print.
• Act as a copyeditor ensuring active voice in assigned features, digital articles, and newsletter content.
• Take initiative to proactively update the IAAPA Style Guide to achieve alignment with organizational changes and preferences.
• Write and produce content that advances the IAAPA Global Board’s strategic priorities by owning the Association News and Benefits section of Funworld magazine.
• Craft feature stories as assigned by Managing Editor.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to promote Funworld content on social media channels and at live events.

Assistant Editor Production and Project Management

• Adhere to the editorial calendar, as well as end-to-end production workflow for six print editions of Funworld annually (bimonthly publishing schedule), including scheduling, content reviews, internal approvals, and coordination with design and production teams.
• Enforce deadlines and resolve production challenges to ensure timely and accurate delivery in print.
• Maintain documentation and workflows that support consistency, efficiency, and scalability within the editorial process.
• Exopodites complex production timelines with magazine printer and shipping company.

Contributor and Contract Management

• Prepare contracts, manage assignments, issue payment, and provide editorial feedback for a network of freelance writers, ensuring quality standards and timely delivery of print and digital stories.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for freelancers, to support expectations, assignments, and revisions as assigned by the Managing Editor and Senior Director of Global Content.
• Ensure contributor work aligns with IAAPA’s editorial standards, style, active voice, and strategic goals.

Collaboration and Organizational Impact

• Partner with internal stakeholders across departments and global offices to translate IAAPA initiatives—including events, education, research, and member services—into engaging, member-focused editorial content.
• Collaborate with communications and subject-matter experts to ensure editorial accuracy while maintaining a clear, independent editorial voice.
• Contribute by identifying emerging industry trends and story opportunities.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, news gathering, communications, or a related field required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in newswriting and copyediting professionally or academically, with the ability to produce a portfolio (including articles [feature and short form writing,] video storytelling, etc.) and pass a copyediting test.
• Exceptional B2B writing in an active voice
• Possess a strong command of copyediting, incinerating weak and passive writing while proofreading articles and magazine proofs.
• A strong command of AP Style (and knowledge of when to break the rules).
• Experience using a CMS to post stories, articles, photos, and videos online to a website.
• Additional computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier Pro, and SharePoint a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects daily while connecting with writers and IAAPA Team Members in multiple time zones.
• In addition to excellent written communication skills, exceptional verbal and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate on a dedicated team that holds a reputation for excellence and thrives on results.
• Creative and proactive problem solving skills with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong project-management skills with the ability to drive multiple news products simultaneously (print, digital, video) while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work onsite and actively contribute in-person at IAAPA’s Global Headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA. Prior work experience at an attraction and passion for the leisure industry preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer
IAAPA is committed to a diverse and inclusive global workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs, in accordance with applicable laws. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.