Category Editor, Climb

Role: Category Editor, Climb

Team: Creative Studio – Copy Edit

Scope: Individual Contributor, P3

Years of Experience: 5+

Location: Ventura, CA (Hybrid)

Overview

The Category Editor, Alpine & Climb is responsible for all editorial copy, from concept to completion for marketing campaigns, content, and product copy as well as relevant editorial for our climb and alpine sports category. Candidates ought to have at least five years of copywriting and advertising experience; deep knowledge of the history and current culture of rock climbing and alpinism; and have a passion for human-powered forays into nature.  Through words, they will help further our mission of being in business to save our home planet.

What You’ll Do

• Enable seamless solutions for executing marketing briefs in various consumer-facing promotional vehicles. Actually, no. Our editors see to it that a sentence like that never makes it out alive.

• Generate a wide range of promotional materials for your category, from website product copy to emails to event flyers; postcards to banner ads; hang tags to paid search results; blog social-first posts to op-eds, that all aim to be something a friend would choose to read.

• Become an expert on the products in your sport by working with product line managers, business unit directors and product developers. Take time to see and even use the product at all stages—from prototypes to samples to final product. Senior Category editors know the category gear inside and out; they are experts others can consult.  

• Write product copy that clearly explains the purpose and benefits of each style in your category, plus their environmental benefits or challenges. Part of product expertise is understanding Patagonia’s efforts toward product circularity. 

• As an individual contributor, conduct your work in alignment with Patagonia’s Leadership Expectations - Leading Self principles: Build People + Teams, Drive Results, Demonstrate Good Judgement, and Champions Vision + Purpose

Who You Are

• Dedicated: There are easier ways to make a living. You’ve stuck with writing and editing because you care deeply about the written word, and you take pride in helping others succeed.  

• Adaptable: You can work with different personal styles.

• Collaborative: As Yvon Chouinard writes in Let My People Go Surfing, “Our best efforts are collaborative, and the Patagonia culture rewards the ensemble player while it barely tolerates those who need the limelight.” You’ll make certain to recognize and elevate the creative ideas of others.

• Unflappable: Multiple rounds of approval, late changes when you thought it was all done—it’s all in a day’s work.  

• Conscientious and organized: You meet deadlines and help others meet them, too. You manage details and keep projects on track using spreadsheets, checklists, check-in meetings or whatever works.

• Self-starter: Thinks of ideas not just for our Edit team but for our broader Creative Studio crew—how to make work more efficient, how to stay true to brand voice, how to collaborate with other departments.

• Free thinker: You’re not a willful contrarian, but you arrive at your own conclusions. 

Experience You Bring

• 5+ years of writing, editing, re-writing and proofreading experience.

• 2 years generating marketing campaigns for multiple styles/products.  

• Strong written and verbal communication and a knowledge of Patagonia’s voice.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to set and meet quick deadlines.

• Ability to be flexible within the job to ensure the best processes/systems for smooth completion of all projects.

• Capable of streamlining, troubleshooting and improving processes.

• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.

• Drive for accuracy and attention to detail a must. 

• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style Book.

• Bachelor’s degree in Literary Arts, Communications, Marketing, or related field (or equivalent additional experience) is preferred but not required.

Hiring Range: $94,500 to $108,600 USD Annual

At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget.

Benefits

Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment.

Workplace Location Overview

This position is Hybrid, with a standard schedule of Tuesday - Thursday on-site and remote work on other days. Occasional additional office visits may be required for team events or critical meetings.

Employee Conduct

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.