About 5280 Publishing

Named America’s best big-city magazine in 2018 and 2020, 5280 has been telling Denver’s story for more than 25 years. Readers depend on 5280 for compelling long-form journalism, smart guides to the city and region, superb design, and unforgettable photography. Locally owned and independently operated, the company also publishes 5280 Home, 5280 Traveler, and 5280 Health magazines, as well as the award-winning Colorado Parent family of publications.

5280 Publishing Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and offers competitive salary and benefits.

No phone calls, please.

Assistant Food Editor

5280 Magazine is seeking an assistant food editor to join its award-winning staff. The ideal candidate should be an ambitious, enthusiastic, creative, collaborative junior editor, who has a passion for Denver’s dining scene, storytelling, and magazine making.

Responsibilities include:

• Researching, reporting, and writing stories for the Eat & Drink section, for 5280’s annual dining features, and for 5280.com
• Fielding story pitches, managing print and digital freelancers, and uploading digital posts to a CMS on a daily basis
• Performing meticulous editing and fact-checking for web and print content
• Overseeing all aspects of the Dining Guide online and in print
• Contributing to and/or generating online-only dining content, like living lists (such as Denver’s best burgers)
• Using website analytics to identify trends and enhance content performance and traffic
• Collaborating with 5280’s social media coordinator to curate promotional content related to Eat & Drink stories
• Attending restaurant-related and industry events, many of which take place outside of normal working hours
• Mentoring and training a dining intern

Must-haves:

• Two years of experience at a print or digital publication (this can
  include internships)

Experience with:

• Reporting and writing short- to medium-length pieces for a lifestyle publication
• Implementing web content best practices, including SEO
• Multitasking and performing well under tight deadlines
• Thinking creatively and working collaboratively
• Demonstrating strong communication skills
• Generating ideas and molding them into story concepts
• Responding positively to peer feedback

Benefits: 

• Health insurance (FSA, FSA dependent care, HSA options, Teledoc)
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Public transportation or parking subsidies
• 401K
• Fitness club membership option
• Paid time off

Salary: $40,500

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

5280 Magazine is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants of diverse abilities, backgrounds and life experiences to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resumé, four PDF work samples, and three fully fleshed-out dining story pitches specific to 5280’s readership with the subject line “Assistant Food Editor” to careers@openmediafoundation.org.

Digital Editor

5280 is seeking an innovative and creative digital editor to join its award-winning team. This senior-level staffer will be responsible for overseeing the daily editorial operations for 5280.com, identifying new opportunities for growth and engagement, and steering 5280’s long-term digital efforts.The ideal candidate should be a highly organized, talented editor with impeccable judgment, a strategic and tactical thinker, a seasoned pro when it comes to headline writing and SEO, and an exceptional multitasker who thrives in a fast-paced digital journalism environment.

Responsibilities include: 

• Conceiving of, assigning, and editing daily stories for 5280.com, as well as digital-first packages and longform features 
• Editing The Local, 5280’s daily newsletter, as well as The Local Biz (biweekly), and the Colorado Explorer (biweekly) 
• Directing all digital projects and initiatives—from new website features to newsletter launches and cross-platform opportunities—and ensuring they’re completed on deadline and on budget
• Coordinate with 5280 Magazine editorial leadership on editorial mission and strategy
• Collaborating across departments to determine the short-term and long-term strategies for 5280’s digital business, and working with the team to bring those goals to fruition
• Managing the digital editorial team of three staff members
• Overseeing the digital editorial budget and processing invoices and expenses 
• Monitoring real-time and monthly analytics to pinpoint trends and new opportunities for growth and engagement 
• Working with the digital team to develop and execute a robust social media strategy 
• Training the staff on digital best practices
• Building and maintaining working relationships with a stable of freelancers
• Working with 5280’s contract developer on website upgrades and fixes, as needed
• Writing for 5280.com and 5280 Magazine

Must-haves: 

• Five years of digital media experience, preferably in local journalism
• Experience managing digital editorial workflows and web development projects 
• Robust knowledge of SEO best practices, including conceptualizing content for keyword optimization and writing successful SEO headlines and meta descriptions 
• Proficiency with WordPress, html, Google Analytics, Parse.ly, Hubspot, and Adobe Creative Suite

Preferred experience:

• Strong management, organization, and communication skills
• Background in newsletter creation and social media strategy and management
• Familiarity with photography, photo editing, and video editing experience

Benefits: 

• Health insurance (FSA, FSA dependent care, HSA options, Teledoc)
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Public transportation or parking subsidies
• 401K
• Fitness club membership option
• Paid time off

Salary: Starting at $60,000

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

5280 Magazine is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants of diverse abilities, backgrounds and life experiences to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

To Apply

Interested candidates should email a brief cover letter, resumé, and three work samples in PDF format to digitaleditorjob@5280.com.

Editorial Internship Program

5280 offers editorial internship positions in the summer, fall, and spring. Internships are hands-on and involve a variety of responsibilities as well as the opportunity to regularly interact with the editorial staff.

Primary duties include fact-checking stories, contributing research to larger stories and feature packages, and writing shorter stories for the front-of-the-book sections. Interns also enter descriptions for the calendar listings, and write for 5280.com.

We also offer a dining-specific internship for those interested in food writing. The intern will work closely with our food editors to fact-check and write for the dining section of the magazine, enter descriptions for dining guide listings, and write for 5280.com. Those interested should specify dining internship in the subject line of their application email, and tailor their cover letter accordingly.

As part of the program, interns will take part in training sessions and mentorship. Training sessions are run by editors and provide an overview of how the magazine works, from pitching to editing to art/design. The mentorship program pairs each intern with two editors, offering interns a chance to gain firsthand knowledge about a career in journalism.

Requirements: Although a magazine, journalism, or English degree (or working toward a degree) is preferred, it’s not required. Published clips are required (college newspaper is OK). A commitment of three to four days a week is preferred. The internship is paid. Remote work is OK.

To apply: Please email a cover letter, resumé, and three to five published clips to editinternships@5280.com. Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are encouraged to apply.

Deadlines for applications: Summer (March 1); Fall (July 1); Spring (November 15).