Assistant Editor- Toronto Life

Job Description-

SJC stands as Canada's largest privately owned communications company, distinguished by its portfolio of leading media brands, including Toronto Life, Chatelaine, and Maclean's. A dynamic and influential organization within the industry, SJC excels in the creation, publication, and production of best-in-class content through its comprehensive content and creative studios, advanced advertising technology, and state-of-the-art print facilities. We collaborate with clients across North America to deliver innovative marketing solutions that effectively inform, inspire, and empower audiences across all platforms. With significant reach and influence, SJC has proudly been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for 22 consecutive years, a testament to our commitment to excellence. To learn more about our organization, please visit

About the Job

Toronto Life is the city's definitive source for culture, politics, food, and the people shaping the future of Toronto. We reach millions across our website, print magazine, newsletters, social platforms, and live events.

We're hiring an Assistant Editor to develop and shape new editorial franchises and features across multiple platforms, lead our Front Row events newsletter, sharpen our culture coverage, and contribute long-form storytelling that strengthens our connection with readers. You'll edit and write daily digital content, own a high-performing newsletter, and help define the voice of the culture section.

This is a hands-on role for an editor and creator who thrives in a digital newsroom, knows how to spot a sharp angle, and brings a clean, confident editorial sensibility.

About You

You're a highly organized, curious journalist who understands the pace and demands of a modern digital newsroom. You move quickly without sacrificing clarity or voice. Culture across all its forms — film, TV, books, food, stage, the arts — energizes you. You know how to elevate copy, package stories for impact, and use data to stay aligned with audience needs.

You take ownership, communicate clearly, and work well across editorial, art, events, and lifecycle teams. You're collaborative but confident enough to make the call when needed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Digital Editing & Writing

• Write timely web stories and quick-turn culture pieces that drive traffic and deepen reader relationships.
• Edit copy from staff and freelancers for clarity, accuracy, tone, and structure.
• Build and publish all assigned content in the CMS, ensuring best practices in presentation, linking, SEO, and accessibility.
• Support daily site curation with the digital editor, including homepage updates, section fronts, and recirculation modules.

2. Culture Coverage & Feature Writing

• Pitch, write, and edit sharp, voice-driven culture stories with a Toronto lens across film, TV, books, food, stage, and the arts.
• Contribute a defined number of longform pieces per year.
• Maintain and evolve the culture section and related service content in collaboration with the arts and culture editor.
• Work with art, photo, digital and video teams to package stories for maximum appeal.

3. Front Row Newsletter

• Lead weekly execution of the Front Row newsletter, ensuring it remains a high-value product for readers and advertisers.
• Plan and build lineups; write and edit newsletter copy that reflects Toronto Life 's tone and standards.
• Use performance data to test subject lines, formats, and content mix to increase opens, clicks, and related revenue metrics.

4. Data, Workflow & Experimentation

• Maintain and improve the workflows that support Front Row, culture content, and related franchises.
• Use analytics tools to monitor story and newsletter performance, surface insights, and recommend next steps.
• Help test new editorial formats, packaging approaches, and lightweight product experiments that support audience growth and revenue objectives.

What You Bring

• Four to seven years of experience in digital journalism or publishing, ideally with a focus on culture, arts, or city life.
• A track record of generating original story ideas and delivering clean, compelling copy under deadline pressure.
• Strong editing experience, including working with freelance writers.
• Familiarity with CMS tools and newsroom workflows.
• Comfort using analytics tools and spreadsheets to inform editorial decisions.
• Experience writing or producing newsletters.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at different stages.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Experience using emerging tools and technologies to improve content workflows and editorial efficiency.

Nice to Have

• Experience with social media publishing and understanding of platform-specific production best practices.
• Basic familiarity with video workflows, asset coordination, or lightweight content capture.
• Understanding of audience development principles and digital reach optimization.

How Success Will Be Measured

Within the first 12–18 months, success in this role will look like:

• Stable or improved performance of Front Row in opens, clicks, and related revenue.
• Consistent, high-quality culture coverage that supports both traffic goals and Toronto Life 's editorial reputation.
• Sustainable contribution to overall web output.
• Successful execution of assigned features.
• Positive feedback from editorial, lifecycle, and events partners on collaboration and reliability.

Why Join Us?

• Work with one of Canada's most influential media brands.
• Join a collaborative, curious team that values creativity, initiative, and strong editorial judgment.
• Contribute to products and coverage that resonate deeply with readers across the city.

Benefits at SJC:

SJC is committed to the well-being and professional development of its employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health and Dental Benefits

• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and access to online health & wellness resources through Homewood Health.
• Scholarship program available for employees' children.
• Exclusive employee subscription rates for SJC publications.
• A complimentary 1-year Toronto Life Insider membership.
• Discounted annual GoodLife membership.
• Participation in the Perkopolis Perk Program, offering employee pricing at a wide range of retailers.
• A Workplace Built for Everyone:

SJC Values

• Amaze our customers: We put our customers' evolving needs at the heart of the business and inspire through our ideas, quality and service.
• Be relentlessly curious: We take the initiative to learn, try new things and brainstorm the next big idea.
• Respect every individual as equal: We value diversity as the means to creativity and cultivate a collaborative environment where everyone belongs.
• Innovate and adapt with urgency: Forward-thinking and flexible, we react quickly and boldly to change.
• Contribute to our community: We apply our resources and passions to make a difference – for people and our planet.

Accommodations at SJC

SJC is an equal opportunity employer. SJC is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise the Human Resources department if any accommodations are needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Inclusion at SJC

Equality and respect for all is one of our founding values and core beliefs at SJC. We are a diverse group with associates of all ages, orientations, races and talents. We celebrate this diversity and we draw strength from it. Inclusivity at SJC means fostering a culture that welcomes and respects each individual as equal – both inside our walls and within the larger community.