Washington Editor

The Washington Post is seeking a dynamic, experienced and highly collaborative editor to help lead coverage across our Politics & Government department.

This is a senior role for an editor who can operate across teams, guiding coverage that is ambitious, agenda-setting and essential to understanding how power is exercised in Washington. The Washington Editor will work closely with reporters and fellow editors to shape a wide range of stories — from breaking news to enterprise — ensuring that our journalism is authoritative, timely and resonant with a broad audience.

We are looking for a leader with exceptional editorial judgment, a deep understanding of national politics and government, and a track record of developing reporters and elevating their work. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings clarity and direction to complex coverage areas, and is committed to producing journalism that is both rigorous and accessible.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

• You are driven to produce agenda-setting journalism that explains how power works in Washington. 

• You enjoy working across teams and helping reporters succeed on competitive beats. 

• You thrive on making smart, fast decisions in a high-pressure news environment. 

• You are passionate about shaping coverage that is both authoritative and accessible to a broad audience. 

• You value collaboration and are eager to contribute to a strong, cohesive newsroom culture. 

• Work across the Politics & Government department to meet teams’ editing and management needs, bringing flexibility and strong editorial judgment to a wide range of coverage areas. 

• Edit stories across beats, sharpening reporting and elevating writing while ensuring accuracy, fairness, rigor and clarity. 

• Drive coverage that breaks news, sets the agenda and explains the political and real-world implications of government action. 

• Manage and develop reporters, helping them prioritize within busy beats, identify ambitious targets and grow in their craft. 

• Make sound editorial decisions about sourcing, framing and story construction. 

• Collaborate closely with editors and reporters across the department and the broader newsroom to deliver comprehensive and visually compelling coverage. 

• Anticipate coverage needs and communicate plans clearly and proactively with senior editors and stakeholders. 

• Edit with the reader in mind, optimizing stories for digital platforms, timing publication effectively and identifying the most compelling formats. 

• Occasionally contribute reporting or writing as needed. 

• At least 15 years of professional journalism experience, including significant editing experience. 

• A track record of shaping high-impact coverage on politics, government or related beats. 

• Exceptional editorial judgment and the ability to make decisions quickly under pressure. 

• Demonstrated success managing and developing reporters in a competitive newsroom. 

• Deep understanding of national politics and how government institutions operate. 

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. 

• A commitment to the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and journalistic integrity. 

Interested candidates should upload a résumé and a cover letter to our jobs portal by Apr. 1. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Politics & Government Editor Emily Rauhala and Politics & Government Editor Nick Baumann. 

The salary range for this position is $122,500 - $204,100. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.