Discourse seeks an associate editor

Discourse, the online magazine of politics, economics and culture, is hiring an associate editor to edit stories and share editorial duties with our other editors and staff.

The associate editor will edit all types of stories – from short op-eds to lengthy essays and investigative pieces — and will handle all steps in the process: pitching story ideas and responding to pitches from writers, editing and rewriting stories, writing hedlines, working with copy editors on the final versions, finding photos to illustrate the stories, and posting stories on the magazine’s website. The associate editor will also help recruit writers and contribute ideas for improving the magazine’s writing and visual style, and for building our audience and increasing our impact.

Our stories are written from a market-oriented, classical liberal perspective and our aim is to explain and promote a discussion of important issues to a wide audience. The associate editor must be aligned with this mission.

Responsibilities:

• Thoroughly edit stories, which sometimes need extensive rewriting and additional research. This is not a copy-editing job.
• Recruit writers for the magazine and commission stories.
• Publish pieces with engaging hedlines, subheads, images and charts.
• Keep abreast of the news and policy issues in order to pitch ideas to writers and to respond to writers submitting pitches.
• Work with the editorial team to develop new strategies for increasing the magazine’s audience and reach.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 yearsof editing experience
• Excellent editing skills, including the ability to take difficult concepts and translate them into clear and compelling prose for a general audience
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to work with writers to shape their ideas into engaging stories
• A solid understanding of public policy issues
• An entrepreneurial spirit

Discourse began in October 2020 and is published by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia. The successful applicant can work either remotely or from the office. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Managing Editor John Koppisch at jkoppisch@mercatus.gmu.edu.