The Editor is appointed by SIAS and is ultimately responsible for all editorial content of the magazine.
The Actuary magazine is a monthly publication produced on behalf of SIAS for members of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, in the UK and overseas.
With a print readership of more than 26,000 and a strong and ever-growing online presence of more than 30,000 unique visitors each month to www.theactuary.com,
it is the key platform for analysis, opinion, news and jobs for the actuarial community.
The Actuary is also read by many non-actuaries with an interest in actuarial topics.
The current Editor is due to step down at the end of 2015 following a successful two-year term, so SIAS is looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic successor to lead the experienced publishing staff and specialist editors of the magazine from January 2016. Do you have the energy, dedication and skill set to take a role in guiding an expanding specialist production team? Do you have the creative flair, yet the eye for detail, to preside over a high-quality publication?
This is a challenging role and we require a candidate with strong communication skills, an ability to work under the pressure of meeting publishing deadlines,
and the commercial awareness to take the magazine forward.
If you have got what it takes, please submit your expression of interest, including a CV, to Mark Gorman at [email protected] no later than 30 June 2015. Please contact Mark in advance of this date if you have any questions.
The detailed description below is not intended to be exhaustive. If you have any questions please contact Mark Gorman at [email protected].
The Editor is appointed by SIAS and is ultimately responsible for all editorial content of the magazine.
The Actuary magazine is independent of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, its president and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' operational staff. The Editor should therefore seek to encourage healthy independent debate in the magazine, which is reflective of the views of the readers.
The Editor appoints new members to the Editorial Team when required and is responsible for ensuring that this team (along with the experienced publishing staff and specialist editors) delivers all editorial content for the magazine and meets the relevant deadlines.
The Editor writes a monthly editorial for the magazine, collates the letters page(s) and is responsible for ensuring this is provided to the Managing Editor according to the agreed production timetable.
The Editor is responsible for reviewing all proofs provided by the Managing Editor according to the agreed production timetable including layout, appearance and content of feature articles.
The Editor is ultimately responsible for resolving any disputes that may arise in relation to the magazine and its contributors and/or readers.
The Editor is advised by the Editorial Advisory Panel (the "EAP") and should bear in mind the EAP's opinion in all editorial decisions made in relation to the magazine.
The Editor can also use SIAS as a sounding board for any operational/editorial issues, and should bear in mind SIAS's opinion regarding any structural/strategic decisions made by SIAS. Notwithstanding this, the Editor is independent and should act independently of SIAS where appropriate.
The Editor is not responsible for production or distribution of the magazine, which falls to the Publisher, appointed by IFoA and SIAS. Further, the Publisher appoints a Managing Editor who carries out the day-to-day management of editorial issues.
The Editor may choose to meet with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries President twice a year to discuss recent and future content and the IFoA's strategic aims.
The Editor is required to attend monthly Management Committee meetings with SIAS, IFoA and the Publisher.
The Editor is required to attend monthly production meetings with the features editors, publishing staff and representatives from SIAS and IFoA to monitor the progress of the current and future magazine content.
The Editor is required to attend EAP meetings which occur three times per year with the features editors, publishing staff and representatives from SIAS and IFoA.
The Editor is occasionally invited to meet with the SIAS committee and with future or current contributors if available.
The Editor is usually appointed for a term of two years, although an individual is permitted to apply to SIAS for more than one term as Editor. If the Editor wishes to step down from the role, appropriate notice will be required (recommended six months) and the outgoing Editor will be expected to assist in the process of appointing their replacement.
The Editor is expected to have a view on the ongoing future of The Actuary, and take an active part in discussions relating to this with SIAS.
The Editor is responsible for managing and motivating the Editorial team and should remain in contact with the team throughout the month and provide ongoing support where necessary.
The Editor is required to participate in ad hoc events that are held in The Actuary's name; for example, moderate webinars, chair roundtable discussions and conduct interviews for the magazine (video or written).
At particularly busy times and towards a deadline, the Editor may need to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
The time commitment for an Editor is expected to be 3-5 days a month. An honorarium will be paid by SIAS to the Editor to cover expenses.
Personal skills
- Leadership skills.
- Strong and effective stakeholder management.
- Conflict resolution skills - for example, the ability to be diplomatic and fair.
- Ability to challenge effectively - for example, whether certain articles should be published and if not, managing this message with the contributor.
- Team player.
- Critical thinking - using logic and reasoning to identify and manage alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Time management - managing one's own time to meet deadlines yet maintaining a flexible approach.
- Strong networking skills with external contacts/potential leads at industry events.
- Strong editorial skills including grammar, spelling and an eye for detail.
- Ability to work effectively and flexibly under pressure.
- It is an advantage if the candidate is a qualified actuary with a number of years of post-qualified experience, however this is not essential.
? End June 2015 - all CVs must be submitted.
? During end July / early August, candidates are asked to submit a sample editorial piece
? During August, be interviewed by a panel.
? In September the new editor is formally appointed.
? During October, November and December there is a handover between the outgoing and incoming editors.
