Temporary News Editor (6 months)

About the role

POLITICO is seeking an experienced, versatile editor to join our newsroom on a six-month contract supporting our Breaking and White House teams. This editor will help drive coverage of the biggest political stories of the day, from the White House to Congress to the campaign trail, during one of the busiest stretches of the 2026 midterm cycle.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include assigning and editing stories and newsletters, working closely with reporters to sharpen coverage, coordinating with homepage and audience teams, and helping ensure POLITICO is fast, accurate and competitive on the biggest stories.

• Edit and publish breaking news, enterprise stories and newsletters
• Assign stories and help shape coverage throughout your shifts
• Work closely with reporters to strengthen reporting, framing and structure
• Coordinate with editors across the newsroom to ensure comprehensive coverage of major news events
• Help maintain POLITICO's standards for speed, accuracy, fairness and clarity
• Collaborate with homepage, audience and production teams to maximize the impact of our journalism
• Help lead weekend breaking news coverage and support weekday editing across the Breaking and White House teams

Requirements

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-moving news environment and enjoy making quick, smart editorial decisions. They will be a strong line editor who can improve copy while preserving reporters' voices, with excellent news judgment and the ability to prioritize competing stories.

• 5+ years of professional journalism experience, including significant editing experience
• Excellent editing, headline writing and story framing skills
• Strong news judgment and experience covering fast-moving news
• Experience assigning stories and working directly with reporters
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Experience with digital publishing platforms and content management systems
• Familiarity with national politics or Washington coverage is strongly preferred

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be collaborative, calm under pressure and comfortable working across multiple teams. They will be adaptable and able to quickly become fluent in new beats and workflows, and comfortable working independently while coordinating with editors across the newsroom.

Skills

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with reporters, editors and other stakeholders.

Benefits

We value our people and offer a range of benefits, including a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Pay

The annual base salary for this position is $120,000-$130,000, prorated over the six-month term. The final salary offered will be based on factors including relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is Monday-Wednesday: 12:30pm-8:30pm, Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm, and Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm. The position is based in Virginia, New York or California.