Company Description

Balsam Brands is a global eCommerce retailer with roots in holiday and home décor. Our flagship brand is Balsam Hill™, the world’s leading retailer of artificial Christmas trees and holiday décor. We strive for excellence in everything we do and present a unique opportunity for those seeking to have an impact in a people-first company that values relationship-building, authenticity, and doing the right thing. We have steadily growing teams in Boise, the Bay Area, Ireland, the Philippines, and most recently, Windsor, Canada!

The company's mission is to create joy together. We empower our team and partners to love what they do, provide products and experiences that inspire meaningful moments with family and friends, and give back to our communities. When you join Balsam Brands, you’ll find a culture of caring people doing challenging work while building a welcoming workplace.

• Balsam Brands on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/balsam-brands/
• Balsam Brands on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balsam_brands/
• Balsam Brands in Forbes: https://bit.ly/balsambrandsforbes

At Balsam International, our Philippine Regional Operating Headquarters, we like to think of our people-first culture as more than just a tagline. It's the heart of our company. Being recognized as one of the Philippine’s Best Work Places by the prestigious Great Place To Work organization is a testament to this.

We know that you need to feel comfortable in your work environment, so we make sure that everyone in the team is supported and cared for. Team Manila has been working from home since 2010 with occasional in-person meet-ups and events to help build relationships and foster camaraderie.

Team Manila represents nearly every function in the company — from Marketing to Operations and everything in between. Everyone gets to enjoy company-issued laptops and full employee benefits including HMO coverage, mental health support, paid time off, 13th-month pay, and many more. The company trips, wellness benefits, and other perks are just the cherry on top of our permanent work-from-home setup.

• Balsam International on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalsamInternationalPH
• Balsam International on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/balsam-international-unlimited

At Balsam International, we strive to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team to fulfill our purpose to create joy together. Balsam International is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or caregiver status, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Job Description

As a Senior Copy Editor, you bring solid copy-editing experience and expertise from industry knowledge and training. You're an impactful writer, creative thinker, expert proofer, multi-tasker, effective communicator, and motivated team player. You write and review copy for all product pages, ensuring that accuracy, consistency, and brand voice are achieved according to the style guidelines. You excel at staying on top of due dates and juggling multiple projects simultaneously. You report directly to Product Copy Manager and are responsible for supporting product copy initiatives and mentoring a team of product copywriters.

What you'll be doing:

Copywriting

• Writes clear, error-free, compelling copy in accordance with the brand guidelines.
• Creates, localizes, and finalizes product names, site product descriptions, technology modules, assembly modules, and catalog product descriptions according to the style guidelines.
• Verifies factual correctness of information, pertaining to features, technology, and measurements.
• Creates, reviews, localizes, and finalizes copy tasks according to the style guidelines.
• Uses SEO principles, when required, to maximize copy’s reach.
• Proofreads copy and corrects spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
• Incorporates all review callouts from the Leadership Team, Creative Director, Senior Copy Manager, Copy Managers, Senior Brand Copywriter, Senior Copy Editor, Site Managers, Merchants, Tree Sourcing Team, and Localization team.
• Collaborates with the Senior Copy Manager, Copy Managers, Senior Brand Copywriter, Senior Copy Editor, Site Managers, Merchants, Tree Sourcing Team, and Localization team on product description quality and accuracy.
• Ensures the timely completion of tasks and deliverables.
• Assists in other copy projects as needed.

Copy Editing

• Creates clear, error-free, compelling copy in accordance with the brand guidelines.
• Reviews, localizes, and finalizes product names, site product descriptions, technology modules, assembly modules, and catalog product descriptions according to the style guidelines.
• Reviews, localizes, and finalizes copy tasks according to the style guidelines.
• Proofreads copy and corrects spelling, grammar, punctuation, and localization errors.
• Checks copy for style, readability, and adherence to the style guidelines.
• Verifies factual correctness of information, pertaining to features, technology, and measurements.
• Supports and mentors a team of copywriters daily.
• Conducts weekly meetings with writers to discuss tasks and provide feedback.
• Reviews and provides written, unbiased, constructive feedback to Copywriters in a timely manner.
• Incorporates all review callouts from the Leadership Team, Creative Director, Senior Copy Manager, Copy Managers, Senior Brand Copywriter, Senior Copy Editor, Site Managers, Merchants, Tree Sourcing Team, and Localization team.
• Collaborates with the Senior Copy Manager, Copy Managers, Senior Brand Copywriter, Senior Copy Editor, Site Managers, Merchants, Tree Sourcing Team, and Localization team on product description quality and accuracy.
• Ensures the timely completion of tasks and deliverables.
• Assists in other copy projects as needed.

Competitor Research and Analysis

• Conducts seasonal reviews on competitor websites and products.
• Gathers and studies a compilation of industry best practices.
• Shares and updates sub-functional team with latest developments and trends.

Training and Development

• Conducts on-boarding training for new hires.
• Designs and develops function-specific training materials.
• Provides three rounds of Performance Review feedback for new hires.
• Participates and attends continued learning programs to support knowledge building, enhance skills, and improve team efficiency and productivity.

Recruitment, Selection, and Hiring

• Reviews resumes, portfolios, and assessments of applicants in accordance with the company's standards and guidelines.
• Collaborates on the creation of the written assessment for applicants to demonstrate their versatile writing ability and screen for required skills for the advertised position.
• Conducts applicant interviews.

Organization Development

• Maintains a system of tracking and monitoring task progress and development.
• Organizes and manages writers' schedules, priorities, workflow, and work distribution.
• Attends monthly function meetings to discuss updates.
• Attends weekly and participates in bi-weekly sub-function meetings to discuss updates, wins, and challenges.
• Establishes and enhances strong business relationships with cross-functional partners.
• Supports any other projects that may be assigned from time to time by other Company officers.
• Ensures the harmonious relationship between self and the Company’s officers and co-employees in carrying out the job assigned.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

What we're looking for:

1. Education:
   • Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or any other related course.
2. Experience:
   • Minimum of five (5) years experience copywriting and copyediting for a fast-paced eCommerce retailer, advertising agency, or freelance projects that promote and enhance websites, brands, and products, ensuring strict adherence to branding and optimization guidelines.

Location: The Senior Copy Editor position is a long-term remote working position for Balsam International Unlimited Company Philippine ROHQ in Manila. Team members in the Philippines are located within Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan or certain parts of Laguna only (Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, Los Baños, San Pedro, and Santa Rosa).

Our must-haves:

• Must be willing to attend occasional in-person meetings depending on the status of the pandemic. 
• Must have a fast, reliable DSL, Fiber, or Broadband connection (not mobile or broadband stick) as the primary internet connection with a minimum actual speed of 10MBPS.
• Must have a back-up internet connection of the same speed if primary connection becomes spotty.

Note: An online assessment will also be part of the recruitment process.

Status: This is a full-time, permanent position with benefits.

Hardware Provision: Company-issued Laptop will be provided on first day.

Additional Information

At Balsam International, we strive to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. For permanent, full-time team members, this includes:

• Government-mandated Benefits (SSS, PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth)
• 13th Month Pay
• Paid Leaves. We use time off to rest, go on vacation, or just sleep in! Our paid time off is flexible to our needs.
• Internet Subsidy. With internet allowance, we are set up for success.
• Healthcare Coverage (+ 2 dependents). We worry less about rising medical costs with flexible quality healthcare benefits.
• Maternity, Paternity, and Solo Parent Benefit. We make sure parents are supported while they navigate work and family life.
• Continuous Learning and Professional Development Benefit. Our professional and personal development are fully supported. Whether it be online courses, workshops or books!
• Mental Health Support. We manage work and life's challenges through Mental Health Day breaks, 24/7 professional counselling, and curated webinars.
• Company Incentive. An additional cash-based perk for all our Brandits based on company's performance.
• Meeting & Team Building Allowance. Happy tummies make our meetings more fun and productive!
• Shutdown Week. We can spend more time on things that matter with an additional one week paid time off on top of paid leaves.
• Volunteer Time Off. With two paid days off, we are able to volunteer for advocacies we believe in.
• Bereavement Leave. We get additional paid leaves when a loved one passes to grieve and provide immediate support to our families.