Director, Editorial Booker, Axios Live

The big picture: Reporting to the Managing Editor, Axios Live, the Director, Editorial Booking will lead editorial booking for Axios Live’s most high-profile events, managing a team of bookers and shaping programming across annual summits and marquee tentpoles.

Why it matters: Axios Live stages are where leaders come to make news. You will serve as a senior Axios editorial representative, booking top-tier newsmakers, moving quickly in breaking news moments, and ensuring every conversation meets Axios’ editorial standards.

Go deeper: Axios Live events are among the most sought-after platforms for newsmakers. We’re looking for a seasoned editorial leader to own booking strategy, represent Axios to today’s key influencers, and lead editorial booking across Smart Brevity programming around the world. This role plays a critical leadership function across Axios Live programming and will:

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of editorial bookers, setting clear expectations, workflows, and performance standards across Axios Live programming.
• Own editorial booking strategy for Axios Live’s portfolio of annual summits and franchise events, including flagship properties such as the Future of Health Summit.
• Oversee editorial booking for Axios House and other Axios Live products at major global tentpoles, including SXSW, Climate Week, UNGA, and similar moments.
• Secure senior newsmakers — including CEOs, elected officials, administration leaders, and global decision-makers — while delegating and guiding bookings across the team.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Axios Live, the Axios newsroom, and Axios leadership to align booking priorities and programming strategy.
• Exercise strong editorial judgment in fast-moving news environments, including making real-time decisions to pivot talent, framing, or programming in response to breaking news.
• Ensure Axios Live programming meets Axios’ editorial standards, reflects diverse and compelling perspectives, and maintains editorial independence.
• Oversee editorial preparation for live events, including interview prep, run-of-show development, scripts, stage cues, and briefing materials.
• Guide collaboration on event language and marketing materials, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and Smart Brevity principles across platforms.
• Provide senior newsroom leadership during live events, ensuring the team is coordinated, materials are accessible, and programming remains responsive to news developments.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with principals, chiefs of staff, communications teams, and senior influencers to support both immediate bookings and long-term Axios Live growth.
• Leverage AI and emerging tools to improve efficiency across research, booking, and production workflows, and to help scale best practices across the booking team.

Worthy of your time: We’re looking for a senior editorial leader who brings sound judgment, strong relationships, and a collaborative management style. Ideal candidates will have: 

• 5+ years of editorial booking or media experience, with demonstrated experience leading or mentoring other bookers or producers.
• A proven track record of owning booking strategy for large-scale editorial events, including recurring summits or franchise programming.
• Experience booking and working with high-profile leaders, including senior executives, policymakers, and global influencers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear editorial guidance and feedback.
• Deep knowledge of the news cycle and emerging trends across politics, business, and technology.
• Experience building full show programs, from concept through execution.
• Strong organizational and people-management skills, with the ability to balance coaching, delegation, and execution.
• Familiarity with Axios’ Smart Brevity style and editorial values.
• Bonus points for experience or established networks in:
• Health care and life sciences
• Energy, climate, or sustainability
• Defense, national security, or geopolitics
• Media, technology, or communications
• Background in media, Capitol Hill, government, or political campaigns is a plus.

Starting salary for this role is in the range of  $108,000 - $125,000 and is dependent on numerous factors, including but not limited to location, work experience, and skills. This range does not include other compensation and benefits. Axios' compensation philosophy takes into account cost of labor differentials across the country. Because this is a remote-optional job posting, this salary range takes into account all possible locations within the United States, but candidates will only be eligible for the salary range for their location.

What Axios brings to the table besides salary:

• 401(k) with employer match
• Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network
• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option
• Dental and vision coverage
• Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
• One mental health day per quarter
• Annual learning and development stipend
• $100 monthly work-from-home stipend
• Tele-mental health services through Headspace
• OneMedical membership, including telehealth services
• Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate
• Inclusive fertility, hormonal health, and family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility
• Access to the Axios “Family Fund”, which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies
• Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers
• Virtual company-sponsored social events
• A strong and positive work environment
• A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Axios is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Axios makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.