Contract Opinion & Features Editor

Location: Remote (United States)
Engagement Type: Independent contractor (freelance), part-time (approx. 65-70 hours per month).
Term: Initial three-month engagement with the option to renew by mutual agreement.
Compensation: Monthly retainer of $4,000 to $5,000, depending on experience. As an independent contractor, you'll invoice for your work, be responsible for your own taxes and insurance, and won't be eligible for employee benefits.

Shape the Stories Driving a More Sustainable Future

Trellis brings together the people, ideas and organizations driving the transition to a more sustainable economy. From Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we use trusted journalism, industry-leading events and executive peer networks to help organizations build relationships, exchange ideas and turn insight into action.

We're looking for an experienced freelance editor to help produce the stories that matter most to sustainability leaders. You'll publish high-impact opinion pieces by recruiting, commissioning and editing thought leaders in academia, nonprofits, policy and the private sector. You’ll also work with our talented in-house writers to sharpen ideas, strengthen reporting and turn ambitious drafts into compelling, publication-ready journalism.

About the Engagement

As Opinion & Features Editor, you'll provide ongoing editorial support on a recurring, part-time basis. Responsibilities include:

• Commission, edit and produce 8-12 opinion pieces monthly from our existing roster of sustainability thought leaders.  
• Identify and add new high-value contributors to our roster.
• Edit feature stories from our two staff writers, likely one story per writer per month. 
• Attend meetings with the editorial team as required, likely at least once weekly.
• Serve as a back-up editor and producer in the event of staff absences for Trellis Briefing, our email newsletter that goes out Monday through Thursday.

You decide how, when and where you complete the work, subject to mutually agreed deadlines and editorial standards, and you're free to work with other clients. The engagement will average approximately 65-70 hours per month and is open to editors located anywhere in the United States.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years editing experience at a respected media organization.
• Experience commissioning and managing freelance contributors.
• Excellent editorial judgment across accuracy, sourcing, structure and voice.
• Passion for working with subject-matter experts, most of whom are not trained writers, to create high-impact copy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and consistently deliver high-quality work on agreed timelines.

Preferred

• Knowledge of issues, companies and individuals in sustainability, climate, ESG, clean energy or related industries.
• Business journalism experience.

Application Process

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please:

1. Share your resume.
2. Suggest three thought leaders you would seek to add to Trellis’ roster of contributors, should you be appointed to this role. For each potential new contributor, explain why they would elevate Trellis’ editorial output. (We are not looking for journalists; suitable contributors are well-placed experts from companies, academia, nonprofits, policy and other areas.)

After review of these materials, a subset of applicants will be asked to complete a short editing test and join an interview.