Brief for Commissioning Editor, British Archaeology magazine
About British Archaeology magazine and the Council for British Archaeology
British Archaeology is an award-winning bi-monthly publication, published by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), focusing on the latest archaeology news, discoveries, and research within the UK and from British Archaeologists working overseas.
As the key information platform of the CBA the magazine is integral to our overall role as the voice of archaeology in the UK. As Commissiong Editor you will have a key role in upholding the CBA’s values and mission and maximising the magazine’s potential to showcase the breadth of archaeology in the UK and its unique role in society as a tool to help address contemporary issues such as social justice and climate change.
The CBA are looking to appoint a new Commissioning Editor of British Archaeology magazine. This is an exciting role for someone looking to make a lasting impact on how archaeology is communicated to the public and has the ability to balance journalistic creativity with sector expertise.
Scope of the work
As Commissioning Editor, you will take the creative and editorial lead of British Archaeology, delivering engaging, accessible, and thought-provoking content to a diverse readership including CBA members, professionals and archaeology enthusiasts. You will be responsible for the magazine’s tone, content curation, editorial direction, and visual identity, ensuring each issue is vibrant, insightful, and relevant to the evolving landscape of archaeology in the UK.
The Commissioning Editor will be required to:
- Commission high-quality articles that reflect the depth and diversity of UK archaeology. Please note that the CBA does not pay a fee for contributions to the magazine.
- Edit submitted content to ensure clarity, accuracy and accessibility and to align with the magazine’s style
- Write content including the ‘From the Editor’ and as required, feature or regular column content
- Develop strong relationships with contributors, experts, and institutions across the sector and grassroots archaeological groups to develop a robust pipeline of content
- Liaise with the magazine printers and distributors
- Collaborate with the sub-editor to create visually compelling layouts
- Liaise with the CBA staff team to generate regular CBA generated content
- Bring a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to the magazine’s themes and features
- Meet production schedules and coordinate with publishing and distribution partners
- Collaborate on the development and implementation of the magazine’s digital strategy and wider audience engagement
As the magazine is one of the CBA’s key public facing outputs the Commissioning Editor will be responsible for upholding the CBA’s values, particularly in relation to inclusion, belonging and open participation.
Branding guidelines, publication standards and specifications and an editorial policy will be provided with the opportunity to review and update on an annual basis.
The role will be supported by the Sub-Editor and Proofreader as well as the CBA’s Executive Team, Advisory Committee and Communications and Marketing Manager.
Final approval of magazine content will sit with the CBA Executive Team and the Advisory Committee will support the Commissioning Editor to develop a pipeline of content.
Required outputs
Production of British Archaeology – six copies per year published bi-monthly (in print and online).
Skills and Experience
You should be able to demonstrate the following experience:
- Proven experience as a magazine editor or in a senior editorial role
- Strong editorial judgement and a flair for crafting compelling narratives
- Experience of identifying and commissioning content, ideally within archaeology or an associated sector
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Informed understanding of UK archaeology and a strong network across the archaeological community
- Design experience or significant experience working with a designer
- Confident in working both independently and collaboratively
- Proficient in using Adobe InDesign
About the contract:
The Commissioning Editor is a freelance position with a competitive fee available based on experience. It is anticipated that the time required to produce the magazine will be the equivalent of 15 days per month or 3 days per week.
Work should commence in early December 2025.
How to apply
The appointment will be based on the following criteria:
- Quality of response and your proposed approach (50%)
- Demonstration of relevant experience (40%)
- Cost (10%)
Please send an application of no more than three pages highlighting your proposed approach, relevant experience, how your insight could benefit the magazine, and fee expectations. This should be accompanied by a CV or other summary of your expertise/experience and no more than 3 examples of recent work.
For digital access to past editions of British Archaeology magazine please contact Jessica Latham, Communications and Marketing Manager at jessicalatham@archaeologyuk.org.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a time for an informal chat please contact Neil Redfern, Executive Director at neilredfern@archaeologyuk.org.
Applications should be sent to jobs@archaeologyuk.org
Deadline: Monday 14th July at 12pm.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a short piece of work showcasing their editorial ability. Details of this will be circulated to selected candidates on 22nd July for submission on 1st August 2025.
Potential interview dates are 6th and/or 7th August 2025.