SJC stands as Canada’s largest privately owned communications company, distinguished by its portfolio of leading media brands, including HELLO! Canada, 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 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, please visit www.stjoseph.com.
HELLO! Canada is the country’s number-one celebrity and entertainment magazine, known for premium storytelling, exclusive access and visually stunning lifestyle content across print, digital and social platforms.
We are seeking a Freelance Editorial Producer/Staff Writer to help deliver original celebrity and lifestyle content for our biweekly magazine and growing digital channels.
At the heart of this role is the production of original editorial photoshoots and interviews. The successful candidate will constantly seek out opportunities, develop compelling pitches for publicists and talent representatives and manage the many moving parts involved in bringing an idea to life. This includes securing talent and locations; sourcing and liaising with photographers, stylists and hair and makeup artists; managing schedules, budgets, paperwork and approvals; and ensuring every production runs smoothly from initial outreach through publication.
The role also requires solid journalistic experience. The successful candidate must be comfortable researching talent, conducting interviews and writing polished celebrity profiles, news stories and features on deadline. This is not a marketing or copywriting position.
This is a hands-on, fast-paced role for an organized and resourceful editorial producer who combines strong industry relationships, sharp creative instincts and meticulous follow-through with the ability to report and write engaging magazine content.
About You
You are an energetic editorial producer who enjoys making things happen. You know how to turn a promising idea into a fully realized shoot or interview – crafting a persuasive pitch, identifying the right contacts, following up persistently and co-ordinating every creative and logistical detail.
You are comfortable building relationships with publicists, talent representatives, photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, studios, venues and other industry partners. You can manage several productions at different stages simultaneously while keeping schedules, budgets, releases, usage rights, credits, invoices and asset delivery organized.
You are also a capable entertainment or lifestyle journalist. You can research and interview talent, recognize the strongest angle and turn the material into an accurate, engaging and well-structured article. You understand the difference between editorial journalism and promotional copy and can adapt your writing for print, digital and social platforms.
You are professional but approachable, persistent without being pushy and calm under pressure. You anticipate problems, communicate clearly and are willing to take ownership of both the creative and administrative work required to deliver excellent content.
Key Responsibilities
- Talent Outreach, Pitching & Relationship Management
Proactively identify celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle opportunities for original shoots, interviews and features.
Develop tailored, persuasive pitches for publicists, talent representatives, agencies and brand partners.
Conduct regular outreach and follow up consistently to secure talent, access and editorial opportunities.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with publicists, agents, managers, photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists and other creative collaborators.
Maintain organized and up-to-date contact lists, pitch trackers and records of ongoing conversations.
Co-ordinate interview requests, scheduling, talent requirements, approvals and publication timelines.
Cultivate long-term relationships that can lead to exclusive access and future opportunities for Hello! Canada.
Represent the brand professionally in all communication with talent and external partners.
- Editorial Shoot Production
Produce two or more original editorial shoots per issue, along with other assigned interviews, events and content initiatives.
Manage each production from initial concept and outreach through the shoot, asset delivery, approvals and publication.
Source, book and liaise with photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, studios, locations and other crew members.
Negotiate rates and deliverables within approved budgets.
Prepare detailed call sheets, creative briefs, production schedules and logistics plans.
Co-ordinate travel, transportation, parking, catering, equipment, studio access and other practical requirements as needed.
Scout and secure locations, including studios, private homes and public venues.
Confirm schedules and requirements with talent, publicists and all members of the creative team.
Act as the on-set lead, keeping the production on schedule and ensuring it remains aligned with the editorial brief.
Anticipate and resolve last-minute production issues calmly and efficiently.
Gather quotes, observations and behind-the-scenes material that can strengthen the accompanying story and social coverage.
Ensure final photography and video assets meet the brand’s visual and editorial standards.
- Production Administration & Workflow Management
Maintain detailed production calendars, trackers, contact sheets and status updates across multiple concurrent projects.
Manage production budgets, obtain cost approvals, process invoices and track expenses accurately.
Secure and organize contracts, releases, permissions, credits, rights information and usage agreements.
Track deadlines for pitches, bookings, interviews, shoots, asset delivery, copy, approvals and publication.
Follow up with contributors and external partners to ensure that all materials arrive on time and in the correct format.
Organize and distribute final photography, video, captions, credits and production information to the relevant internal teams.
Keep editors informed of progress, potential challenges and changes to schedules or budgets.
Recommend practical improvements that make production workflows more efficient and reliable.
- Reporting, Interviewing & Writing
Research and write celebrity profiles, interviews, entertainment news stories and lifestyle features for Hello! Canada’s print and digital platforms.
Prepare thoughtful, well-researched interview questions and conduct interviews with talent before, during or after shoots.
Identify the strongest editorial angle and turn interviews, research and on-set observations into polished, publication-ready copy.
Write headlines, deks, captions, sidebars and social media copy as required.
Fact-check names, ages, dates, titles, quotes and other editorial details.
Work closely with editors on revisions and respond promptly to questions during the editing and fact-checking process.
Maintain Hello! Canada’s warm, polished and accurate editorial voice across platforms.
- Social, Video & Multiplatform Content
Identify opportunities to extend original shoots and interviews across digital, social and video platforms.
Plan and gather behind-the-scenes content, additional quotes and social-first moments during productions.
Help co-ordinate short-form video and other supporting content with talent and creative teams.
Contribute ideas for new editorial formats, recurring features and multiplatform extensions.
Ensure social and video opportunities are discussed and approved in advance, with the appropriate rights secured.
Requirements
At least three years of hands-on editorial production experience within a magazine, newspaper, established digital publication or comparable media environment.
Demonstrated experience producing editorial photo or video shoots from initial outreach through final delivery.
Proven ability to pitch publicists and talent representatives, secure participants and build productive industry relationships.
A strong network of photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, publicists or other creative collaborators within the Canadian entertainment, lifestyle, fashion or beauty industries.
Professional journalism experience, with published examples of reported news stories, interviews or features.
Strong interviewing and writing skills and the ability to produce accurate, engaging and well-structured articles on deadline.
A clear understanding of journalistic standards, including fact-checking, attribution and editorial integrity.
Exceptional organizational and administrative skills, with close attention to schedules, budgets, rights, releases, invoices, credits and deliverables.
The ability to manage several shoots, stories and sets of external relationships simultaneously.
Confidence working directly with high-profile talent, publicists, agencies and creative teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the judgement to represent Hello! Canada professionally.
Resourcefulness, persistence and the ability to remain calm when plans change or problems arise.
Strong visual instincts and an understanding of how editorial content can extend across print, digital, social and video.
Working knowledge of InCopy and major social media platforms; experience with project-management and social-publishing tools is an asset.
Availability to attend shoots and events within the GTA, including occasional evenings or weekends.
Legal eligibility to work in Canada.
Applicants should submit a resumé and three relevant published writing samples, including at least one reported feature or celebrity interview.
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.
