Associate

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY - We help people encounter the life-changing Word of God by making the Bible accessible to all.

Editorial Specialist, Scripture Content

Job Summary:

The Editorial Specialist helps people connect with the Bible by improving publication quality and building capacity in the Content Development team at ABS. The role focuses on editorial services, including copy editing, quality assurance, publishing, and web production work. The role helps authors present concepts in clear and accurate language with minimal distractions. It will support publishing on multiple platforms from web magazines and social media to LMS courseware to apps and printed Bibles, as well as audio and visual productions. Expect a range of tasks centered around copy editing and developmental editing, with occasional copywriting, as we support internal teams and external subject matter experts and also develop original materials for select youth and adult audiences. Strong working knowledge of the Bible is required, but this is not primarily a theological role. Publishing background and a sensitivity to design and usability are a plus.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mission-driven, highly organized, and motivated to create biblically faithful, usable, and compelling resources.

Minimum Spiritual and Personal Commitment:

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Identify with and participate in a Christian church and proactively seek to grow in their Christian faith.
• Actively participate in organizational prayer, devotional times, and organization-wide events.
• Maintain an exemplary standard of Christian ethics, behavior, and conduct within ABS and in their public and private life outside of ABS and always seek to uphold ABS’s Standards of Conduct and Affirmation of Biblical Community.
• Demonstrate Christian maturity in all interactions as displayed by good judgment based on biblical values and principles.
• Actively incorporate their faith in all aspects of their daily work.
• Demonstrate desire and ability to support organizational biblical and religious goals and participate in regular work-related spiritual activities without reservation.
• Have a personal passion for and belief in the Word of God, its ability to transform lives, and the mission of American Bible Society.
• Demonstrate alignment with the vision, mission, and values of American Bible Society.

Key Responsibilities:

These duties reflect the technical, collaborative, and strategic elements of the Editorial Specialist, Scripture Content, focusing on serving the mission of American Bible Society by creating and reviewing quality content for a range of audiences to advance Bible engagement strategies. Within ABS, the Content Development team is responsible for Scripture Content, Editorial Services, and Product Development. In addition to creating and publishing strategic products to serve target audiences, the team provides quality assurance and risk review for the entire company, so this role requires ongoing collaboration across departments.

• Perform quality assurance : In collaboration with other Content team members, review and edit articles, devotionals, audio/visual scripts and productions, social media, donor collateral, app content, books, and other pieces for grammar, depth, clarity, and alignment.
• Fulfill editorial product and platform support tasks: Support product development and deployment on multiple platforms. Duties may include writing, editing, or posting content and metadata on Pathwright LMS, ABS apps, Substack, ABS web pages, and social media platforms. Product suites include Daily Bible Reading, Search the Scriptures, Faith and Liberty, and Youth Sports.
• Perform licensing and publishing reviews: Review and approve licensing requests and copyedit or proofread new settings for print Bibles and Scripture portions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally : Partner with marketing, research, and ministry teams on creative projects (as well as outside subject matter experts, designers, editors, and other contractors) and help ensure alignment with project guidelines, product marketing, and strategic goals.
• Elevate the American Bible Society brand and Content Development Standards: Uphold and advance the ABS brand through QA and content creation; help ensure that all content aligns with biblical standards and the ABS messaging platform and cultural identity, remaining true to American Bible Society’s mission and vision .

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a humanities field or equivalent. Certificate or coursework in editorial or publishing tasks preferred.
• Experience: 4-plus years of experience in an editorial context, including active work in copy editing and/or proofreading.
• Technical Skills: Exceptional communication and editing skills required, including the ability to adapt tone and content for various audiences. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Adobe suite. Familiarity with Chicago style. Comfort with traditional and web publishing tools. Spanish competency is desirable.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrate desire and ability to support organizational biblical and religious goals and participate in regular work-related spiritual activities without reservation.
• Have a personal passion for and belief in the Word of God, its ability to transform lives, and the mission of American Bible Society.
• Demonstrate alignment with the vision, mission, and values of American Bible Society.

All staff must demonstrate the following skills at a level fitting their role:

• Communication Skills: Complex Communication: Proficient in communicating complex ideas to various stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Collaborative Effort: Works well with others, shares information, and contributes to team goals.
• Cultural Competence and Inclusion: Cultural Awareness: Respects and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Service Orientation: Service Solutions: Understands service recipients’ needs, develops solutions to meet those needs, and builds relationships.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Responsive Adjustment: Adjusts strategies based on new information, remains flexible in dynamic environments.
• Time Management and Organization: Efficient Coordination: Prioritizes tasks, manages multiple projects, and ensures team deadlines are met.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Analytical Problem Solving: Analyzes complex problems, develops solutions, and makes decisions independently.
• Leadership and Initiative: Initiative: Takes proactive steps to complete tasks, solve problems and take on new challenges.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Physical Demands:

• Sitting for Extended Periods: The role primarily involves desk work, requiring long periods of sitting.
• Manual Dexterity: Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, mouse, and other office equipment.
• Visual Acuity: Prolonged periods of working on a computer screen, requiring good eyesight for detailed design work.
• Repetitive Motions: Repetitive tasks such as typing, clicking, and using design tools.
• Occasional Lifting: May involve lifting lightweight materials (e.g., laptops, documents) typically up to 10-15 pounds.

American Bible Society is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities and ensuring a workplace free from discrimination. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to participate in the application process and perform the essential functions of their job.

Office Location: Hybrid, with 2 days in the Philadelphia office, preferred. Remote (USA) considered.

Core Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST

Travel Required: Minimal. Annual team and ABS retreats.

Additional Information:

• Background Check: Candidates must pass a background check as a condition of employment. This may include criminal history, credit check, and verification of employment and education history.
• Reference Checks: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory reference checks.
• Eligibility to Work: Candidates must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• Affirmation of Biblical Community: Candidates must sign and agree to uphold the ABS Affirmation of Biblical Community as a condition of employment

American Bible Society is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, created in the image of God, and strive to reflect Christ’s love and justice in our employment practices.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is rooted in our Christian faith and values, which call us to love and respect all people.

As a faith-based organization, we require employees to affirm and uphold our Christian beliefs as a condition of employment. This requirement is consistent with our mission and ensures that our work environment aligns with our core values and deeply held religious principles.