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Staff Editor, Culture, Opinion

New York, NY

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for. 

The New York Times Opinion section is looking for a staff editor to cover culture. You will take a lead role in ensuring that Opinion's coverage of  film, music, television, art, literature, fashion and consumer trends, gender, race and identity, and the way we live now, is thoughtful, forward looking and conversation building.

You have experience covering these topics, and you will help to define Opinion’s approach to culture and how to think about it. You are expected to work both independently and collaboratively with other editors on projects across the editorial department, including on design, audio, video and graphics and think of new ways to tell stories.

You will be part of a culture team and you will define and expand coverage areas. In addition to commissioning guest essays, you would also contribute your own writing on topics as they come up, manage regular and contributing writers, and respond to submissions. You are expected to be on the lookout for new voices and perspectives to bring to Opinion. You will coordinate with audience editors to frame and package coverage for reader engagement.

You will report to the Deputy Editorial Director for Culture in Opinion.

Responsibilities:

  • Remain current on the news and suggest ideas for potential Opinion pieces.
  • Develop a network of outside writers, including leading thinkers, while also promoting new voices on the most important news and ideas of our time.
  • Be an incisive writer on cultural subjects.
  • Guide and edit writers and contributors on commissioned pieces from the beginning to end of the process, paying attention to focus, structure and style, and ensuring that each piece expresses a strong thesis, idea, or argument that matters deeply to our readers.
  • Collaborate with the audience team to maximize the reach and influence of the work.
  • Read, review, and promptly respond to submissions.
  • Generate story ideas and assign articles.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • You will report to the Deputy Editorial Director for Culture in Opinion
  • This is a hybrid position based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office each week per your departmental guidance.

Basic Qualifications:

  • At least 5 years of experience in a digital or daily publication.
  • 2+ years Experience in editing cultural journalism with contributing or freelance writers.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • An interest in strategic audience thinking, and a talent for framing, packaging, and writing display copy.
  • Experience working in different digital formats, or collaborating with journalists who work in formats other than text

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-018019

The annual base pay range for this role is between:

$113,945.85 - $115,000 USD

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