MENASource & IranSource Editor, Middle East Programs

The Atlantic Council seeks a motivated, talented, and creative editor and writer. This post is responsible for leading the production and editing of all short-form editorial products produced by the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs (MEP) for its flagship MENASource and IranSource online publications.

The Editor will draw on experience in writing, editing, and editorial production to improve the quality and expand the reach of MEP’s short-form online publications, engaging both internal Council experts and external writers and contributors to create unique, compelling, relevant, and influential content on the issues central to the center’s work.

The Editor will also be expected to help develop editorial strategy, implement editorial innovations, and produce the “This Week in the Mideast” newsletter. They will report to the Deputy Director of Communications. The ideal candidate will be a skillful, seasoned writer and editor—with substantial experience working in journalism and media, especially in international affairs with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa region.

This position is based in our Washington, DC headquarters on a hybrid schedule. Pay is commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers starting at $93,000.

Job Responsibilities:

• Directly manage content across the AC Middle East’s online publications, currently MENASource and IranSource.
• Curate original and news-relevant analysis by resident staff, nonresident fellows, and external contributors.
• Edit short-form content to a high standard, finding and removing errors, improving quality and style, and creating professional copy consistent with the Council’s editorial standards.
• Identify, develop, or commission non-traditional content and innovative formats to reflect and convey information through expanded tools on the AC website, such as timelines, interactive graphics, etc.
• Produce and disseminate weekly “This week in the Mideast” newsletter, including the quality control and development of email marketing lists.
• Lead and develop MEP’s ability to rapidly respond to events relevant to the region with editorial products infused with the top-notch foreign policy expertise from our network of experts, and make sure the center remains on top of the news cycle at speed and scale.
• Communicate with relevant teams across MEP and AC to coordinate MENA-related contributions and identify topics and subject-matter experts relevant to an array of topical and trending themes.
• Write short-form pieces and carry interviews for the center based on input from staff and fellows, Council events, and world-affairs and developments.
• Together with the deputy director, help to formulate and define a homogeneous voice for MEP, expressed through editorial products and platforms including the website, newsletters, and articles.
• Help develop and track metrics and measure the impact of MEP’s flagship online publications through detailed analytics reports.
• Assess the relevance and impact of MENASource and IranSource and identify areas for growth by periodically adjusting the online publications strategy.
• Work with the MEP and AC communications teams on overall engagement strategy and tactics to maximize MEP’s visibility and reach.
• Ensure that nonresident fellows and external contributors are paid for blogs in a timely fashion.
• Manage overall online publications’ budget and explore opportunities for funding, content series, and/or sponsored newsletters.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, or a related field.
• Approximately 5-7 years of relevant work experience in journalism, media, international policy, and/or communications.
• Excellent editing and writing skills with experience in developing and quality controlling online content and distributing news analysis, op-eds, interviews, commentary, portraits, and features.
• Experience with WordPress or other equivalent industry-standard content management system (CMS), writing and publishing for the web, and social-media promotion and dissemination.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills, and the ability to cope with pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• An understanding of think-tank work and the Washington, DC policy environment.
• Track-record of working with policy experts to facilitate the expression of their subject-matter expertise to both niche and broad public audiences.
• Proven initiative and ability to work well with a diverse team in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of US-MENA policy and a commitment to the mission and goals of the Atlantic Council.
• Knowledge of media workflow, organization, tools, and tactics, along with experience in creating new editorial products and managing multiple product lines.
• Knowledge of Google Analytics and metrics software or other systems preferred.
• Online and social media savvy with knowledge of the latest trends in creating and promoting online content.
• Experience in global media environments preferred.