About The Westsider

The Westsider is an award-winning, independent, monthly, not-for-profit community newspaper for the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne. Launching in 2014, all articles are written by volunteers who live, work, or have a connection to the inner west. It’s a fun publication with loose themes that help shape the content each month but the community decides the overall direction. Several writers and partners contribute monthly articles or columns; the rest are public submissions.

Between 7,000–10,000 editions are printed around the first week of each month. They are distributed to shared spaces including cafes, businesses, venues, councils, libraries and community centres.

About you

You will live in the west and be a passionate local with knowledge and ideas that will help bring the paper to life! You will be a mature person with existing local networks, a finger on the pulse of local activity, and an understanding of the diversity and personality of the area. You love content and see future opportunities in your daily life. You have community spirit and want to be a part of ‘the voice of the west’.

About the role

The role is to plan and deliver the vision for each edition of the Westsider Newspaper, manage all content-related tasks and clearly communicate the progress and requirements to the working team. It requires experience in managing your own time whilst keeping an eye on the progres of others. Much of the work is done by volunteers and regular writers so people management skills are essential. Your core team will be the Founder, Graphic Designer and Operations/Sales Manager.

There is an opportunity to really own this role and make it your own. We find that if you are a people person, further opportunities and offers of public speaking are extended to you by the wider business and non-profit community.

Experience and attributes

• At least 3 years of experience in communications, media, professional editing, writing or publishing
• Familiarity with editorial standards for new publishers
• Ability to set, lead and execute a strategic vision for the paper
• Solid news judgement and a high level of curiosity about our area
• An enthusiastic leader with skills that encourage collaboration
• Basic experience in Trello, Google Workplace, MailChimp and Social media platforms
• High-level organisational and time management skills, including managing workflows and balancing competing priorities to ensure timely processing to meet deadlines.

Duties and responsibilities

• Source, lightly edit, proof and sort content from volunteers
• Write editor's note each month and any other required content (e.g. article intros etc)
• Communicate deadlines to content writers, partners and media contacts

• Ensure all articles are in the right format including, names, titles, subheadings, images, image credits and sizes for print
• Assign content to pagination template ready for layout
• Assign pages and send the link for the proof version to proofing volunteers post layout
• Run online WIPs with the core team as needed
• Respond to community submissions and enquiries via email
• Engage the volunteers in the Facebook group
• Communicate to the Partners about their monthly contributions
• A monthly verbal report and a quarterly written report to the Board

Highly regarded

• Multi-media publishing including video and social media
• Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign
• WordPress knowledge
• Mailchimp knowledge

Details

This is a permanent part-time role of 40 hours per month @ $60p/h. The work is based on deliverables rather than set weekly hours. A co-working space is available to work from in Gamon St, Yarraville.

How to apply

To apply please click Apply Now and follow the instructions.

Immediate start. The position will remain open until filled.