Senior Editor – National Geographic

Job Summary:

The Senior Editor will be responsible for assigning, editing, and publishing world-class editorial projects across National Geographic’s digital and print platforms. The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced editor with an uncommon talent for finding and shaping great stories and possesses deep connections with freelance writers. They should be passionate about storytelling and excited to commission and edit work that helps readers gain a better understanding of the planet and our place within it. They should also bring a forward-thinking editorial sensibility to our team.

What You Will Do:

• Manage the development, commissioning and editing of stories and packages. This includes developing new franchises and new ways of covering topics and themes central to National Geographic’s mission.
• Manage related workflows to ensure that pieces come together in a timely manner and adhere to word counts, factual accuracy, and other specs.
• Develop, nurture, and maintain new and ongoing relationships with writers and industry professionals with an emphasis on developing new voices and diverse perspectives.
• Report to Editorial Director Multi-Platform Features on project development and challenges, assist in feature management, including contracts, scheduling, production stages, and administrative tasks, as needed.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum of 6+ years of editing experience that demonstrates increasing editorial responsibility with a media organization(s), while managing content.
• Outstanding editorial judgement, strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills, strong knowledge of the National Geographic brand and mission, and demonstrated expertise in related core topic areas.
• Ability to take overall responsibility for concept and content, as well as manage creative relationships.
• Keen understanding of various approaches to storytelling, and ability to manage multiple projects at once, on deadline.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated and resourceful, with the ability to work with minimal supervision, problem solve creatively, and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to create impact and bring fresh ideas within a team while working collaboratively in highly matrixed conditions with colleagues outside editorial, including communications and marketing, and business support (sales, promotion, and development).
• Proven track record in growing print and digital audiences and expanding audience demographics.
• Curiosity about the planet and our place within it and the ability to grasp new subject matter quickly.
• Understanding of the editorial process from conception to completion, and demonstrated ability to resolve technical, operational, and organizational problems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, Editorial CMS (K4/InCopy), digital media platforms; knowledge of AirTable is a plus.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.

National Geographic Content is devoted to illuminating the wonder of our world and inspiring people to protect it through our storytelling across platforms, including television and film in linear and streaming, print and digital experiences, and social media, where we have more followers than any other brand in the world. The National Geographic Editorial team is responsible for engaging both new and existing audiences through the creation and distribution of best-in-class content for our magazines (National Geographic, National Geographic Kids and Little Kids, National Geographic History, and single-topic newsstand specials), digital platforms (NationalGeographic.com and our app), and social accounts. We work across all media types, including photography, video, text, graphics and data visualization, cartography, and interactive digital experiences. Our primary aim is to use our storytelling to drive growth in followers, engaged newsletter audiences, subscribers, and loyal users who stay with us because they love how we inspire, entertain, and inform them. 
The hiring range for this position in Washington DC is $94,200 to $126,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.