Executive Editor at The Nation

August 19, 2021
New York, NY

Job Description 

Founded in 1865 by abolitionists, The Nation today is a thriving progressive media outlet that publishes both a bi-weekly print magazine and a daily website covering politics, culture, and the arts. We are seeking an Executive Editor to help direct and manage our editorial output, working with the Editor to develop an editorial strategy to enable The Nation to expand its audience and extend our reach on all platforms—print, digital, and otherwise—in order to strengthen our political and social impact. The Executive Editor will supervise the execution of this strategy across the newsroom and manage the editorial staff.

In addition to sharing The Nation’s longstanding commitment to social and racial justice, free speech, robust debate, and the broadest possible coalition of progressive forces, the ideal candidate will be equally at home with both the daily news cycle and the kind of more analytical, deeply reported, rigorously edited long-form pieces that are a hallmark of our print journalism. Applicants should already know The Nation well, and have considerable experience working with a variety of authors on both longform reported features and short, sharp OpEd/comment pieces. 

We’re looking for an ambitious editor who will help us diversify and expand The Nation’s roster of contributors and is eager to work with our business and production teams to improve our user experience. Management experience is essential, as are seasoned editorial and news judgment, and a proven track record in digital publishing. 

The Nation is a lean operation long accustomed to punching above its weight. That means that every member of our team needs to be flexible, collegial, and to work closely with other staff editors as well as the art director. The ability to maintain a functioning sense of humor under pressure is also a big plus. 

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, with deep knowledge of American politics and culture, or global politics, or social movements.  Working alongside the Editor to supervise and direct our editorial team of five senior editors, you will be responsible for directly managing The Nation’s Research Director, Copy Director, Multimedia Editor and Engagement Editor.  You’ll also liaise with our business team on audience development and special projects, and work with the Managing Editor to ensure the efficient functioning of the newsroom.  Financial literacy—and an appetite for digging into the editorial budget—would be a considerable advantage.  As would experience in working with foundations and funding bodies—and a willingness to help us think creatively about how to partner with other media outlets and to obtain grant funding for special projects. 

Although we are currently working remotely, and you should have the capability to do that, a successful candidate should also be prepared to work in our New York office when the pandemic ends. The Nation offers excellent benefits, including generous health care. The Nation Co. LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status, and strongly encourage candidates who identify as people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and/or gender nonconforming to apply. 

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter and salary expectations to [email protected].