WSJ seeks deputy opinion editor

The Wall Street Journal’s Opinion section is looking for a talented editor to join our growing editorial team in New York as a deputy editor. We’re seeking a high-energy, self-starter who is dedicated to high journalism standards, has excellent editing skills and is able to work under deadline pressure. We ask that you have a strong understanding of the needs of audiences across multiple platforms. Working closely with editorial leadership, you will help shape editorial strategy. You will execute the vision for a broadened opinion section to deepen reader engagement and expand the reach of opinion content. It is essential that candidates be familiar with the ideas, philosophy and principles for which The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page stands.

In this role, you will play a key leadership role in the expansion and daily operation of the opinion section, with a focus on broadening audience reach and experimenting with new formats, including newsletters, podcasts, and video. You would be responsible for evaluating dozens of unsolicited submissions weekly and either turning them down or recommending acceptance; identifying and nurturing new contributors from a broader content spectrum, including culture; maintaining relationships with past contributors and soliciting op-eds from them in response to breaking news; editing op-eds and preparing them for print, online, newsletters and social media; and occasionally contributing bylined articles to the pages. A key aspect of this role is editing with an eye toward digital discovery, incorporating SEO and platform-specific tone to reach new audiences while maintaining editorial integrity. You will also play a role in engagement strategy, specifically by facilitating reader interaction via comments and feedback, and participating in events.

The deputy editor is responsible for supporting the editor with managing the daily operations of the section. The deputy assists with managerial duties, such as creating workforce and staffing plans for the team, as well as supporting the editor in his editorial duties, including assigning primary and secondary editors to pieces after they’ve been added to the publication schedule, communicating with external contributors and freelancers to commission reviews, and negotiating contracts and fee rates. This person will be responsible for editing features and columns tailored for the global audience of the Journal’s print edition, website and newsletters, as well as ensuring that print headlines, RealTime data, and photo captions are in place prior to publication. This position will be based in our New York office reporting to Managing Editor, Opinion.

You Will:

• Support the editor with managing the section including team members and a large group of freelance contributors.
• Focus on expanding audience reach and contribute to engagement strategy.
• Support the editor with the creation of additional content and introduction of new formats to deliver high-quality content.
• Evaluate unsolicited op-eds and either accept or reject the submissions.
• Commission op-eds in response to breaking news.
• Proactively identify new contributors from a broader content spectrum and maintain relationships with past contributors.
• Negotiate contracts and fee rates with outside contributors.
• Edit features and columns for publication, and write headlines, with an eye toward digital discovery.
• Assign primary and secondary editors to pieces on the publication schedule.
• Ensure that print headlines, RealTime data, and photo captions are in place prior to publication.
• Pitch content ideas and occasionally contribute bylined articles .
• Participate in editorial board meetings.

You Have:

• At least 12+ years editing experience.
• A deep knowledge of current events and public discourse across politics, economics, culture, and more, with a talent for developing ideas into powerful commentary.
• A strong understanding of the needs of audiences across multiple platforms.
• Familiarity with the ideas, philosophy and principles for which The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page stands.
• Experience managing writers and editors.
• Exceptional editing skills and sound editorial judgement.
• High level of proficiency in writing, copy-editing and proofreading.
• The ability to work under deadline pressure.
• Familiarity with audience insights and newsroom analytics.
• Flexible to do weekend/evening work as required.

To apply, go here.