aAh! Magazine Music Editorial Assistant

aAh! – Manchester Metropolitan University’s student magazine – is looking for a motivated, organised and enthusiastic Music Editorial Assistant to lead music coverage across aAh!’s online and print platforms.

Reporting to the Student Media Coordinator, the Music Editor will be responsible for coordinating music-related content, including gig reviews, features and interviews. They will act as a key point of contact for artists, venues and PR representatives, helping to expand aAh!’s network and secure press opportunities for student journalists.

The Music Editorial Assistant will work closely with contributors to commission, edit and publish high-quality music content, while also producing some of their own gig coverage. Strong organisational skills and flexibility are essential to manage communications, bookings and deadlines, and to ensure consistent, timely publication.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the main point of contact for music PRs, artists and venues, managing incoming emails and press opportunities
• Book student journalists for gigs, launches and events, coordinating coverage and deadlines
• Expand and maintain a network of artists, venues and PR contacts
• Commission, edit and publish music content for online and print, including gig reviews, features and interviews
• Source and manage images in line with copyright and editorial guidelines
• Write and publish original music content, including gig reviews
• Co-chair music team meetings with support from the Student Media Officer
• Pitch story ideas and set clear briefs for contributors to support a publishing schedule
• Exercise good editorial judgement, ensuring content aligns with aAh!’s editorial policy and legal requirements
• Work collaboratively with other Section Editors and the wider editorial team

This role is anticipated to be for 10 hours per week, including Wednesday afternoon meetings. Other timings are flexible around the successful applicant's studies during term time, but ideally editorial team planning meetings will also take place on Mondays.

• A strong interest in music and live events, with awareness of current artists and scenes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Previous experience of writing gig reviews, music journalism, blogging or similar
• Some experience of editing or proofreading content
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage emails, bookings and deadlines
• Flexibility and reliability 
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Initiative, creativity and sound editorial judgement
• A strong grasp of written English, with the ability to write clearly and engagingly
• Confidence in communicating with external contacts such as PRs, venues and artists
• A good working knowledge of WordPress
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and Outlook
• A strong understanding of image rights and the use of press images