Senior Editor (Supervisory)

About the role

The Atlantic is seeking an experienced editor to join the newsroom. This editor will be assigned to the Books desk, focusing on idea-driven books coverage including critical essays, reported articles on cultural and publishing trends, and profiles.

Responsibilities

• Assign a variety of idea-driven books coverage, including critical essays, reported articles on cultural and publishing trends, and profiles.
• Refine pitches and assign stories that contribute to the cultural conversation.
• Juggle multiple projects simultaneously, such as an essay on the evolution of the internet novel, a philosopher’s new take on living meaningfully, a historian’s assessment of Victor Hugo’s thoughts on Donald Trump, and a reported story on the romance genre.
• Bring a magazine sensibility to a competitive digital environment, ensuring each article makes the strongest, most interesting, and most air-tight argument possible.
• Work with both staff and freelance writers, and brainstorm with the Books team and colleagues across the newsroom.
• Move quickly when necessary, maintaining rigor and collaborating effectively.
• Be open to a wide array of viewpoints and perspectives, keeping an eye out for ideological blind spots.
• Occasionally work nights, early mornings, and weekends.

Requirements

• Substantial experience as an assigning editor, including essays, reviews, and news stories.
• A demonstrated knack for spotting and nurturing talented up-and-coming writers.
• An obsession with literature and a keen interest in the ideas driving both fiction and nonfiction.
• Facility with the standards, ethics, and rigors of journalism.
• Deep familiarity with The Atlantic.
• Impeccable news judgment and an eye for argument and stylish execution.
• A track record of working with and generating ideas with high-level writers.
• Sophisticated writing skills, with a facility for communicating compelling ideas to a general-interest audience.
• An interest in and openness to a wide variety of views and perspectives.
• An ability to work quickly, switch gears as needed, and meet deadlines.
• A close attention to detail and high standards for accuracy.
• A collaborative spirit, and an ability to communicate effectively both up and down, and across different departments.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

• Substantial experience as an assigning editor, including essays, reviews, and news stories.
• A demonstrated knack for spotting and nurturing talented up-and-coming writers.
• An obsession with literature, and a keen interest in the ideas driving both fiction and nonfiction.
• Facility with the standards, ethics, and rigors of journalism.
• Deep familiarity with The Atlantic.
• Impeccable news judgment and an eye for argument and stylish execution.
• A track record of working with, and generating ideas with, high-level writers.
• Sophisticated writing skills, with a facility for communicating compelling ideas to a general-interest audience.
• An interest in and openness to a wide variety of views and perspectives.
• An ability to work quickly, switch gears as needed, and meet deadlines.
• A close attention to detail and high standards for accuracy.
• A collaborative spirit, and an ability to communicate effectively both up and down, and across different departments.

Salary

Minimum: $105,000; Maximum: $165,000

About The Atlantic

The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Atlantic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.