Assistant Digital and Audience Editor

The Guardian is a global, reader-funded news organization that delivers fearless, independent journalism. From breaking news and award-winning investigations, to in-depth coverage of technology, sports, film, culture and lifestyle, the Guardian offers a global view that deepens our audiences' understanding of America and the world.

The Guardian's US edition – headquartered in New York City, with growing bureaus in Washington DC and Los Angeles – is an entirely digital operation that combines the best of the Guardian's international reporting with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, wellness, culture, digital privacy and sports – all highlighting the Guardian's distinctive role within the US media landscape: journalism that's global, independent, and free.

It's the talent, energy and commitment our people bring to the Guardian that make us who we are. Across our business we have some of the most creative thinkers in media and beyond: award winning journalists, cutting edge commercial teams, digital talent and more.
We’re looking for a digitally savvy editor with strong news instincts and a passion for audience engagement to help shape how Guardian US journalism is presented and discovered across platforms. Working with the US digital editor, the senior audience editor and the wider newsroom you will help shape digital coverage and audience development, edit the Guardian US homepage and live blogs, and drive the presentation and distribution of Guardian journalism across platforms to reach and engage as wide an audience as possible.

Department: Editorial

Reports to: Digital editor, Guardian US

Normal location: New York or DC

Terms & conditions: Permanent, full-time, News Media Guild role. 

Shift pattern: Wednesday to Sunday, with late and early shifts required (latest will be 2pm-10pm ET)

Salary range: (95-105k + 10% weekend differential)

Key responsibilities

• Editing and maintaining the Guardian’s US and international homepages on web and apps as directed by the digital editor
• Ensuring Guardian style is adhered to and quality of the homepages and featured stories are maintained to a high standard
• Sending breaking news alerts when required, which includes Apple News and email newsletters 
• Coordinating with third-party publishing partners, such as Apple News, to ensure coverage reaches audiences across platforms.
• Overseeing live blogs when required  
• Using analytics tools to inform decisions over homepage content
• Liaising with the digital editing team, newsdesks, section editors, design, visuals, video, community and audience teams to ensure the best possible expression of the Guardian’s digital output
• Audience insights and communication: share key audience insights with the newsroom through daily emails, helping editorial staff stay informed about trends and reader behavior
   

About You

• At least 3-5 years’ experience of editing homepages and articles, excellent writing skills and news judgment
• Proven track record of analyzing audience trends and clearly communicating insights to journalists
• Significant experience of a live newsroom at a national or international news organization
• Strong understanding of digital tools and content management systems 
• Understanding and knowledge of analytics, search and other measurements of digital audience and targets
• Strong knowledge of analytics tools such as Google Analytics and Chartbeat
• Deep understanding of digital journalism trends, internet culture and communities, as well as distribution strategies
• A firm grasp of the Guardian's brand and editorial identity and a strong understanding of the US news media landscape
• The ability to unpack a story's success or difficulties in engaging readers and offer recommendations for future improvements
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in both remote and in-person team environments, fostering collaboration across departments

How to apply

We know there are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who possess important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself.

All candidates interested in applying should upload a resume and cover letter.  

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Please email the recruiter listed on the job posting or at [email protected] to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

Compensation and benefits

• 25 days of vacation leave in addition to 12 company holidays 
• Unlimited sick time
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 401(k) Match
• Subsidized healthcare coverage including medical, vision, and dental
• Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Generous parental leave with 100% pay
• Long Term and Short Term Disability insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Commuter benefits 
• Work/Life balance: Flexible hybrid schedule 

Culture & wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. You will also have the opportunity to hear unique insight from our journalists in our morning conference, a live discussion on the news story of the day. 

We offer great tools to help you prioritize your wellbeing including access to Employee Assistance Programs. 

Learning & development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Sustainability

Our goal is to become an environmentally regenerative company and we have signed up to a sustainability vision and strategy to reach it. Find more information about sustainability at GNM here.

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The Guardian is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, the Guardian will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people at the Guardian. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future.