Copy Desk Chief Onboarding Checklist

Copy Desk Chief Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Copy Desk Chief starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Editing onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Copy Desk Chief, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Copy Desk Chief onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Copy Desk Chief Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the company: The new Copy Desk Chief should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its history, mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated company representative.

2. Familiarization with company policies and procedures: The new Copy Desk Chief should be given a thorough overview of the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to editing, style guidelines, deadlines, and communication protocols. This task is typically performed by the Editorial or Content department.

3. Introduction to team members: The new Copy Desk Chief should be introduced to their team members, including editors, writers, and other relevant stakeholders. This task is typically performed by the Editorial or Content department, with the assistance of the team lead or supervisor.

4. Training on editing software and tools: The new Copy Desk Chief should receive training on the editing software and tools used by the company. This may include software for grammar and spell-checking, style guides, and content management systems. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated trainer.

5. Review of existing editorial processes: The new Copy Desk Chief should be provided with a detailed review of the existing editorial processes, including how articles are assigned, edited, and published. This task is typically performed by the Editorial or Content department, with the assistance of the team lead or supervisor.

6. Shadowing experienced editors: The new Copy Desk Chief should have the opportunity to shadow experienced editors to gain insights into the company’s editing standards, style preferences, and best practices. This task is typically performed by senior editors or mentors within the Editorial or Content department.

7. Review of previous work samples: The new Copy Desk Chief should be given access to previous work samples to familiarize themselves with the company’s editing style and quality expectations. This task is typically performed by the Editorial or Content department, with the assistance of the team lead or supervisor.

8. Introduction to company’s target audience: The new Copy Desk Chief should be provided with information about the company’s target audience, including their demographics, preferences, and expectations. This task is typically performed by the Marketing or Audience Development department.

9. Collaboration with other departments: The new Copy Desk Chief should be introduced to other departments within the company, such as Marketing, Design, and Production, to understand how their roles intersect and collaborate with the editing process. This task is typically performed by the Editorial or Content department, with the assistance of the team lead or supervisor.

10. Performance expectations and goals: The new Copy Desk Chief should have a clear understanding of their performance expectations and goals, including key performance indicators, deadlines, and quality standards. This task is typically performed by the team lead or supervisor, in collaboration with the Human Resources department.

11. Ongoing professional development opportunities: The new Copy Desk Chief should be informed about ongoing professional development opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, or training programs, to enhance their editing skills and stay updated with industry trends. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or the Editorial or Content department.

12. Introduction to company culture: The new Copy Desk Chief should be introduced to the company’s culture, values, and work environment to ensure a smooth integration into the team. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department or a designated company representative.

13. Access to necessary resources: The new Copy Desk Chief should be provided with access to necessary resources, such as style guides, reference materials, and editing tools, to effectively perform their role. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated administrator.

14. Performance feedback and evaluation: The new Copy Desk Chief should be informed about the company’s performance feedback and evaluation processes, including regular check-ins, performance reviews, and opportunities for growth and advancement. This task is typically performed by the team lead or supervisor, in collaboration with the Human Resources department.

15. Introduction to company communication channels: The new Copy Desk Chief should be familiarized with the company’s communication channels, such as email, project management tools, and internal messaging platforms, to ensure effective communication within the team. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated administrator.

16. Review of company’s editorial guidelines: The new Copy Desk Chief should receive a thorough review of the company’s editorial guidelines, including grammar rules, punctuation standards, and formatting preferences. This task is typically performed by the Editorial or Content department, with the assistance of the team lead or supervisor.

17. Introduction to company’s content strategy: The new Copy Desk Chief should be provided with an overview of the company’s content strategy, including its goals, target audience, and key messaging. This task is typically performed by the Marketing or Content Strategy department.

18. Introduction to company’s legal and ethical guidelines: The new Copy Desk Chief should be familiarized with the company’s legal and ethical guidelines, including copyright laws, plagiarism policies, and disclosure requirements. This task is typically performed by the Legal or Compliance department, in collaboration with the Editorial or Content department.

19. Introduction to company’s workflow management system: The new Copy Desk Chief should receive training on the company’s workflow management system, including how to assign, track, and prioritize editing tasks. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated trainer.

20. Introduction to company’s performance metrics: The new Copy Desk Chief should be informed about the company’s performance metrics, such as article engagement, reader feedback, and editing accuracy, to understand how their role contributes to the company’s success. This task is typically performed by the team lead or supervisor, in collaboration with the Editorial or Content department

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Copy Desk Chief checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Copy Desk Chief up to speed and working well in your Editing team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.