Wired is the place where a better future is imagined. We are seeking an experienced editor who can lead our Ideas section, the home for sharp essays about the most intriguing issues in science and technology.
Wired Ideas are some of the most popular pieces on our website. They range from ambitious proposals for using technology to improve the state of the world to clear-eyed warnings about the dangers of a new trend, and are often by some of the leading experts in their fields. As the editor of this section, working with a small team of other editors, you’ll scout for talented thinkers and writers, help them shape their thoughts, and edit their work. You’ll be on the lookout for both far-sighted, provocative predictions and for experts who can respond quickly and in an interesting way to major news events. You’ll be expected to generate story ideas that advance conversation on important topics, and match them effectively with talented writers. Depending on your experience and interest, you may also edit longform narrative features.
To do well in this job you’ll need to be someone who values diversity of background and opinion and is excited by the challenge of finding undiscovered talent all around the world. You’ll have a keen eye for compelling arguments and fresh ideas, coupled with a good nose for hype and muddled thinking. You’ll need to be both a talented wordsmith and a strong structural editor. And you’ll need to manage a rhythm of output that ensures these essays are frequently part of the mix of stories on Wired.com.
Primary Responsibilities
• Conceive of, assign, track, and edit Ideas essays written by WIRED contributors and staff.
• Read Recruit potential writers.
• Work closely with WIRED’s art department and web and social teams on design for stories.
• Monitor the diversity of contributors to the Ideas section and ensure they represent a broad mix of backgrounds.
Desired Skills and Qualifications
• Experience with, and intellectual curiosity about, technology and science and their social, political, economic, and cultural impacts.
• An excitement for big ideas, and for the people who are deft and engaging when writing about them.
• At least four years experience a variety of different kinds of stories, including both short- and long-form, with staff and freelance writers.
• Skilled at line-editing and helping writers achieve their best writing.
• Able to structure a story for maximum impact, reader understanding, and engagement.
• Facility with headlines, subheads, captions, and other display text and other elements of story building
• Collegial, able to work with a varied team of fact checkers, copy editors, designers, photo editors, digital producers, social media producers and story editors.
What Happens Next?
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply here, and we will review your application as soon as possible. You can update your resume or upload a cover letter at any time by accessing your candidate profile.
