Chief Editor

Job Description

Job Description

Chief Editor

Residential Design Magazine

Position Summary

Residential Design (RD) is seeking an accomplished Editor to lead the premier media brand serving residential architects, custom home designers, and builders. The editor-in-chief is responsible for setting and executing the editorial vision of the magazine across print, digital, social, video, newsletters, events, and industry programs. The ideal candidate combines deep knowledge of residential architecture and design with strong journalistic leadership and the ability to engage influential professionals throughout the custom-home industry. This role serves as the public face of the brand and plays a critical role in shaping industry conversations around design excellence, innovation, construction practices, and the future of residential living.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership

· Define and execute the editorial strategy for Residential Design across all platforms.

· Maintain the highest standards of journalism, storytelling, visual presentation, and editorial integrity.

· Oversee planning, commissioning, editing, and production of all print and digital content.

· Identify emerging trends, influential projects, innovative firms, and thought leaders shaping residential architecture and custom construction.

· Ensure a balanced mix of project case studies, industry analysis, business insights, design trends, and technical content.

Content Development

· Direct coverage of residential architecture, custom home design, interiors, outdoor living, renovation, sustainability, building science, and emerging technologies.

· Develop special reports, annual editorial franchises, awards coverage, and thought-leadership initiatives.

· Expand multimedia storytelling through video, podcasts, webinars, and interactive digital content.

· Collaborate with photographers, writers, architects, designers, and industry experts to produce compelling editorial features.

· In collaboration with SOLA leadership, develop ideas for in-person conferences and webcasts.

Industry Leadership

· Serve as the chief ambassador for Residential Design within the architecture and design community.

· Represent the brand at industry conferences, award programs, trade shows, and speaking engagements.

· Develop relationships with leading architecture firms, custom builders, manufacturers, associations, and educational institutions.

· Moderate panels, host events, and facilitate discussions on critical industry issues.

Awards and Recognition Programs

· Lead the editorial direction and integrity of the Residential Design Architecture Awards and related recognition programs.

· Oversee judging processes, award communications, and winner coverage.

· Ensure programs reflect excellence, innovation, and leadership within the profession.

· Lead the execution of the Residential Design Architecture Awards annual dinner.

Team Leadership

· Recruit, mentor, and manage editors, contributors, freelancers, and creative partners.

· Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance editorial culture.

· Establish editorial calendars, workflows, budgets, and performance metrics.

· Work closely with design, production, marketing, sales, and event teams to support business objectives while maintaining editorial independence.

Strategic Business Partnership

· Collaborate with executive leadership to advance brand growth and market position.

· Identify opportunities for new editorial products, partnerships, events, and revenue-generating initiatives.

· Contribute to long-range planning for the publication and its associated platforms.

Qualifications

Required

· Bachelor's degree in journalism, architecture, design, communications, or a related field.

· Minimum 10 years of progressive editorial leadership experience.

· Significant experience covering architecture, residential design, construction, or related markets.

· Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.

· Strong understanding of digital publishing, audience analytics, and content strategy.

· Proven experience managing editorial teams and complex publishing operations.

· Established network within the architecture, design, and construction industries.

Preferred

· Experience leading a national trade, professional, or design publication.

· Knowledge of custom residential architecture and luxury housing markets.

· Experience developing events, awards programs, webinars, or multimedia content.

· Public speaking and on-camera presentation experience.

Key Competencies

· Editorial Vision

· Strategic Leadership

· Industry Expertise

· Relationship Building

· Content Innovation

· Team Management

· Brand Stewardship

· Public Speaking

· Business Acumen

Success Metrics

· Editorial quality and industry influence.

· Growth in readership, audience engagement, and digital performance.

· Expansion of industry partnerships and thought leadership.

· Success of awards programs, events, and community initiatives.

· Strength and development of the editorial team.

· Contribution to overall brand growth and market leadership.

SOLA Group, Inc. is a business media company covering the $900 billion business of residential design and construction. With daily content and deep industry expertise, we’ve built a community of architects, custom builders, remodelers and kitchen and bath designers. Our media brands are Kitchen & Bath Design News ( Qualified Remodeler ( and Residential Design (

Company Description

SOLA Group, Inc. is a business media company covering the $900 billion business of residential design and construction. With daily content and deep industry expertise, we’ve built a community of architects, custom builders, remodelers and kitchen and bath designers. Our media brands are Kitchen & Bath Design News ( Qualified Remodeler ( and Residential Design (