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Form of work
SalaryWIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity’s biggest challenges, from climate change to global security, from pandemic preparedness to the future of democracy, and tell stories of the people trying to solve these challenges and the role science and technology can play—for good or ill. WIRED reaches more than 30 million people each month through WIRED.com, our digital edition, the magazine, social media, and live events.
Job Description
Location:
New York, NY WIRED is seeking an experienced editor to lead several of our coverage areas: science, politics, and security. Reporting to WIRED’s executive editor for news, this is a senior management position with oversight of 12+ reporters and editors across our U.S. and UK teams.
In this role, you will be responsible for both the big picture and the smaller details. Working with WIRED’s senior leadership, you’ll develop and constantly iterate on editorial strategies that will deliver results across coverage areas; you’ll develop coverage plans around everything from major research breakthroughs to cybersecurity meltdowns to the 2024 elections. You’ll manage a budget and a freelance roster, and will be responsible for working with senior editors on your team to implement your strategies and plans, partnering closely with audience development to maximize the reach and impact of the journalism you oversee. You’ll also collaborate frequently with WIRED’s digital video team to execute cross-platform coverage that brings the best of WIRED to platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.
To be successful in this position, you need to be a tech-focused polymath—someone whose curiosity spans topics as diverse as ransomware, mRNA, and misinformation. The ideal candidate is adept at making complicated topics accessible for a broad audience. You don’t need to have experience in all three coverage areas, but you should have a demonstrated track record of breaking news and the ability to sniff out snake oil. On a tactical level, we’re looking for someone who is a strategic, empathetic, and collaborative leader: Since you’ll be managing both editors and writers, you need to know when to lean in and when to delegate, and how to motivate a team; given the cross-border and cross-functional nature of this role, you’ll also need to work effectively with other members of the WIRED team and partners across Conde Nast. Ultimately, you’ll be responsible for the success of WIRED’s Science, Security, and Politics sections as measured by audience size and engagement.
Primary/Ongoing Responsibilities:
- Conceive of, pitch, and develop content strategy and planning across the Science, Security, and Politics desks.
- Work with senior leadership to define goals and priorities for your respective areas, ensuring all content plans ladder up to broader brand goals and objectives.
- Proactively seek out interesting, diverse voices who can help WIRED deliver differentiated coverage.
- Partner with audience development to review audience engagement KPIs and use this data to consistently improve content strategy and output.
- Manage all projects from concept to execution including, but not limited to: Assigning, tracking, and editing stories from staff and freelancers; budgeting; partnering with photo/art teams on visuals and design to accompany stories; reading proofs and answering fact-checking and copy queries; seeing stories through production processes; and partnering with social and/or video teams to ensure stories have maximum impact.
- Meet individual and/or section KPIs as assigned (i.e. production expectations, UPVs, engagement, time spent, and/or other related goals).
- Identify and work collaboratively with global markets on all relevant stories or packages.
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of editors and reporters across the U.S. and UK including, but not limited to: Overseeing hiring, talent development, and performance management for direct reports; implementing clear processes and communication channels for the desk; delegating work across the desks and providing clear direction and constructive feedback; fostering a transparent, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team environment.
- Contribute to brand extensions, social platforms, and additional projects as needed.
- Represent the brand in a public-facing way as necessary, such as on social media, in press opportunities, panels and speaking engagements, and internal company presentations.
- Additional projects/stories as assigned.
Desired Qualifications:
- At least 7 years of experience as an editor in a fast paced, digital and news-driven environment, with at least 3 years managing others.
- A past portfolio of work that reflects significant experience covering some combination of science, politics, and cybersecurity
- Experience overseeing multi-platform content from brainstorm to execution; able to balance daily deadlines with longer-lead projects and delegate as appropriate to maximize the team’s impact
- Experience and passion for delivering big, ambitious coverage, particularly around major research breakthroughs or “tentpole” moments such as national elections
- Skilled at helping editors conceptualize stories and work to get the best out of writers; equally adept at helping writers achieve their best reporting and writing. Able to structure a story for maximum impact, reader understanding, and engagement.
- Highly collaborative with excellent communication skills; adept at working with a diverse team of fact checkers, copy editors, designers, photo editors, digital producers, social media producers and story editors.
- Excellent time management and prioritization skills
- We are open to candidates in NY, SF and London.
The expected base salary range for this position is from $125,000.00-$160,000.00. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to relevant skills, training, experience, and education.
What happens next?
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply below, and we will review your application as soon as possible. You can update your resume or upload a cover letter at any time by accessing your candidate profile.
Condé Nast is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status and other legally protected characteristics.
