Senior Editor, Talent Partnerships

Senior editor, talent partnerships

The Guardian is a global 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.

Headquartered in New York City, Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's international coverage with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include US politics, technology, the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, health, sports, culture, and more. Guardian US launched in 2011 and has bureaus in New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The Guardian is an independently owned, mission-driven organization funded by readers around the globe.

It's the talent, energy, and commitment our people bring to The Guardian that makes 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.

Title: Senior editor, talent partnerships 

Location: New York, NY

Salary range: $122,000-$129,000 

Reports to: Deputy editor/SVP strategy US and US head of opinion

Terms & conditions: One-year fixed-term contract with benefits. News Media Guild role. 

Key contacts and relationships: Editor, Guardian US, VP audience + strategy, deputy editor, race and equity, deputy US opinion editor, US newsletter editor, VP, supporter strategy 

About the role

The Guardian seeks an enterprising editor and talent spotter to launch a new project involving partnerships with high profile writers, authors and voices in the US. Working closely with the Guardian’s US opinion editor and senior leadership, this editor will help us develop a pilot program to explore new ways of collaborating with independent external contributors on platforms like Substack or Patreon. They will help us identify compelling writers with deeply original perspectives that align with the Guardian’s core values and think creatively about how to bring them into the Guardian fold and cross promote each other’s work.

The role requires a unique mix of skills starting with great editorial taste and experience editing opinion pieces. But the project has goals around audience engagement and reader revenue, so the ability to think strategically about digital engagement, measure impact, and hit goals is essential. The charisma and gravitas to recruit and build relationships with contributors, and the management experience to negotiate simple contracts are also essential. An allergy to the term “thought leader” is appreciated. 

This is a one-year contract position as we explore and test the concept. 

Key skills and responsibilities 

• Identify and recruit roughly six writers and voices who would make strong partners for the Guardian
• Think strategically and creatively about how to design partnerships that help the Guardian hit growth goals around email sign ups, app downloads and reader revenue
• Edit opinion pieces, essays and interviews that result from the partnerships
• Track and report the progress of the project
• Develop ideas and strategies to work with existing Guardian columnists around growth goals

Requirements

• 5+ years editorial management experience in a digital newsroom 

• Sophisticated understanding of the US news and opinion landscape and of the Guardian’s unique place within it
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to build and manage relationships with contributors
• Knowledge of digital audience development tactics and metrics 
• Experience negotiating contributor agreements (with support from HR and legal) 
• Collaborative style and ability to work with multiple stakeholders, combined with the ability to work independently
• Ability to work with both editorial and commercial colleagues 
• Project management skills 

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.