The Wall Street Journal is looking for a London-based senior platform editor to manage programming decisions on Apple News, Google, Instagram, TikTok and other digital platforms during the key morning hours for U.S. readers.
This editor will employ superb news judgment and knowledge of audience data in programming decisions to inform, engage and delight our readers. The role calls for sharp writing and strong editing skills in crafting headlines and display text, as well as an understanding of how to balance the needs of breaking news and enterprise journalism with our audience in mind.
The role requires speed and proficiency with digital publishing tools and a strong command of newsroom workflows. We need someone who can be an advocate for the needs of our off-platform channels with coverage chiefs and an evangelist for digital storytelling in the newsroom. In addition to being a key voice in product improvements for digital platforms and editorial tools, this editor will help manage day-to-day relationships with external partners and be involved in shaping storytelling experiments.
This role will be based in London and report to the Head of Audience Growth in New York.
The ideal candidate will have the following attributes.
Journalistic skills:
- Exercise superb judgment in packaging and presenting news.
- Demonstrate excellence in editing and digital headline writing.
- Employ strong design and visual judgment to enhance digital storytelling packages.
- Understand how to balance breaking news with enterprise and features journalism.
- Recognize the Journal’s digital audience and its needs and expectations.
- Help connect the content with the audience.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the Journal’s brand, content offering and various digital/print platforms.
- Uphold The Wall Street Journal’s high standards and ethics.
Digital media skills:
- Ease with editing different types of media, e.g., text, graphics, share text and captions.
- Shape informative and engaging packages on digital home pages and within articles.
- Use audience data to inform curation and strategy decisions, adjusting as needed.
- Understand the value of search-engine optimization, notably headlines and tags.
- Possess deep knowledge of digital and social-media strategies and publishing tools.
- Have command of newsroom publishing tools, metadata and visual storytelling devices.
- Ability and willingness to assist in troubleshooting digital publishing issues.
Management skills:
- Act as an arbiter on decisions related to news distribution, play and packaging.
- Manage day-to-day relationships with external partners in programming decisions.
- Initiate storytelling experiments to leverage the native features of the platform.
- Foster development of individual team members by seeking out growth opportunities.
- Serve as a key voice in product initiatives for digital platforms and editorial tools.
- Set team schedules, manages workflow and participates in performance reviews.
- Ensure team members receive appropriate training and support to do their work.
- Communicate changes to workflow, tools and best practices on an ongoing basis.
- Participate in recruiting and evaluating candidates during the hiring process.
Personal attributes:
- Detail-oriented. Takes pride in and ownership of one’s own work.
- Work well independently and as a leader on a larger team.
- Thrive in an atmosphere of constant change and embraces experimentation.
- Comfortable balancing multiple tasks and responsibilities while meeting deadlines.
- Collaborate with other groups and employ excellent communication skills.
- Open-minded. Welcome learning new skills and opportunities to teach others.
- General awareness of how our newsroom works and others’ roles and responsibilities.
To apply, go here.
