​​Writer/Editor​

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S., featuring a 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 reconstructions based on extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople. The Foundation also operates two world-class museums—the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum—and the renowned John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library.

About the Role

The Writer/Editor will generate and write original articles and edit features for Trend & Tradition: The Magazine of Colonial Williamsburg, as assigned by the Editorial Manager. This role also provides writing and editing support for book publishing.

Responsibilities

• Propose, research, conduct interviews, and write original articles (minimum 12 per issue, ranging from 200 to 2,000 words) aligned with the Foundation’s mission, including profiles, “Behind the Scenes” stories, general-interest pieces, and Foundation updates.
• Exercise independent editorial judgment, contribute to story idea sessions, and suggest fresh approaches for long-standing features and columns.
• Provide headline and caption suggestions, and propose complementary content such as illustrations and photography.
• Collaborate with editorial staff to expand and refine story ideas, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s mission.
• Edit features and news articles using Associated Press Style and conduct fact-checking.
• Assist in long-term planning for magazine issues and cultivate relationships with other departments (e.g., Development, Museums, Digital Marketing) to gather material for regular features.
• Proofread final galleys of the magazine before submission for printing.
• Support book publications as a writer, editor, or proofreader, and generate potential book projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in English, Journalism, or History.
• Three to five years of professional feature writing and editing experience.
• Three published writing clips, resume, and references required for consideration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in book publishing.
• Three or more years in a magazine setting.
• Familiarity with InDesign and project management tools (e.g., Trello).

Skills

• Knowledge of American colonial history and AP Style.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and take direction.
• Comfortable using both Mac and PC environments.
• Familiarity with Colonial Williamsburg and its 18th-century history.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Standing: Constantly
• Walking: Frequently
• Sitting: Constantly
• Use of hands/fingers: Constantly
• Climbing or balancing: Rarely
• Stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling: Rarely
• Reaching with hands/arms: Frequently
• Talking or hearing: Constantly
• Lifting up to 10 lbs.: Rarely
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.: Rarely (with assistance for heavier loads)
• Wet/humid conditions: Rarely
• Work near moving mechanical parts: Rarely
• Fumes/airborne particles: Rarely
• Extreme cold/heat: Rarely
• Risk of electrical shock: Rarely

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM.

Pay

Compensation range: $69,700 to $104,500, based on skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and role requirements.