04 April 2006

Let's see now...

Wikipedia:
Executive editor
The top editor sometimes has the title executive editor or editor-in-chief (the former is replacing the latter in the language). This person is generally responsible for the content of the publication. [The exception is that newspapers that are large enough usually have a separate editor for the editorials and opinion pages.]
The executive editor sets the publication standards for performance, and is responsible for assuring the highest standards of ethical conduct in the process of gathering and presenting information, as well as for motivating and developing the staff. The executive editor is also responsible for developing and maintaining the publication budget. In concert with the publisher and the operating committee, the executive editor is responsible for strategic and operational planning.


This about sums it up, actually.

But other suggestions I've had are (in random order): Chief Supervising Editor, Editing Chief, Supervising Editor, Senior Editor, Editing Consultant, Senior Editing Consultant, Managing Editor, Publishing Editor, Editor-in-chief, Chief Editor, Principal Editor, "Chief editor, translations".

Most votes so far on Editor-in-chief. Someone also said "less is more". Maybe simply Editor will do? Wouldn't an Editor-in-chief be in a newspaper or magazine?

5 comments:

Sam said...

But you need to convey the fact that you're supervising other sub-Eds...besides, wouldn't you like to have a fanciful title to impress people with?

Editor in chief isn't used so much any more, I don't think - it's a magazine/newspaper thing. Executive editor is probably what you're looking for, but see above.

Just D said...

Congrats! I'm just coming back and happy to see what's going on with you! What about Chief Translator? I have actually NO idea what I'm talking about so... you can stop laughing at me now *grin

Anonymous said...

Executive editor
In favour: businesslike
Against: Ditto

Editor-in-chief
In favour: widely used (even in the dictionary context, as in the Oxford E.D.)
Against: May be a bit old-fashioned, Fleet Street sounding, I give you that.

Editor: In law, I have been told, and in other academic subjects too I suppose, the authors who simply use their surnames (without any subsequent letters) are the ones accorded most respect simply because they've got nothing to prove. So "Editor" would be sufficient. A sub-ed would have to use the prefix to show his or place in the hierarchy. Another example is General and Lieutenant-General. What would you rather be? But hey, I'm getting off on a tangent here...Whatever you choose, congrats wrt the new job! You'll be great!

Claire said...

I agree with Sam that your title should convey that you supervise other editors.

In no particular order:
Senior editor
Chief Editor (I guess I'm getting old)
Principal editor
Chief translator
Principal translator
Senior translator

Having translator in the title feels a little more specific to what you're publishing though I guess that would come across with the company/publication name...

Morgan said...

I was originally going to say senior editor. editor in chief implies the tip top of the chain, one step below publisher. senior editors can exist in many departments.

Titles are so absurd. I one time held the position of a senior senior electronics drafter. I had one senior drafter and 15 junior drafters working for me. there were three other senior seniors. pretty silly wouldn't you say