What are the responsibilities and job description for the Editorial Director position at Open Society Foundations?
Editorial Director. New York. Posting Date: 03/27/2025. Deadline: 04/10/2025
Role Title: Editorial Director
Contract Type: Permanent
Reporting To: Director, Creative
Department Name: Communications
Location: New York, Washington D.C, Mexico City
Team Name: Creative
Team Description
Communications plays a central role in the work of the Foundations by coordinating and strengthening the public presence of the global network and by helping to advance relevant issues. The department focuses on campaigning, media outreach, content development and messaging, creative and digital strategy, and internal communications to support the Open Society network worldwide
Role Purpose
The Editorial Director will lead the development of major editorial initiatives that support Open Society’s global voice, advance its values, and surface the stories that define its impact. This includes creating original content, developing new editorial products, coaching colleagues, and managing complex cross-departmental projects. The role requires close collaboration with programs, communications colleagues, and external partners across regions, and involves navigating complex political and cultural dynamics with strategic clarity and editorial judgment.
Key Responsibilities
This role may manage a small team and will have oversight of cross-team editorial projects. Support for team member development will be part of the role.
Key Internal Relationships
Communications; Executive Offices; Network Grants; Opportunity and Geographic teams
Key External Relationships
Grantees and Partners; Journalists and Editors; Content Producers and Media Outlets; and External Creative Agencies
The ideal candidate
Who We Are
Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.
Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.
Additional Information
Open Society Foundations is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications without regard to race, age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.
Role Title: Editorial Director
Contract Type: Permanent
Reporting To: Director, Creative
Department Name: Communications
Location: New York, Washington D.C, Mexico City
Team Name: Creative
Team Description
Communications plays a central role in the work of the Foundations by coordinating and strengthening the public presence of the global network and by helping to advance relevant issues. The department focuses on campaigning, media outreach, content development and messaging, creative and digital strategy, and internal communications to support the Open Society network worldwide
Role Purpose
The Editorial Director will lead the development of major editorial initiatives that support Open Society’s global voice, advance its values, and surface the stories that define its impact. This includes creating original content, developing new editorial products, coaching colleagues, and managing complex cross-departmental projects. The role requires close collaboration with programs, communications colleagues, and external partners across regions, and involves navigating complex political and cultural dynamics with strategic clarity and editorial judgment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the creation, curation, and publication of editorial content that supports OSF's priorities and raises the visibility of OSF’s work.
- Collaborate with programs and partners to identify, shape, and schedule content tied to developments, anniversaries, fieldwork, and fast-moving news events.
- Develop editorial products and formats that elevate grantee voices and showcase their impact, for both internal sharing and external publication.
- Produce on-the-ground content in partnership with Communications colleagues, for use across OSF’s websites, media outlets, and emerging digital platforms.
- Strengthen the institution’s global narrative by aligning content across teams, channels, and geographies.
- Manage a network of editorial consultants--including writers, editors, and publishing specialists--matching the right talent to the right projects and maintaining high editorial standards across all outputs.
- Coach colleagues on cross-functional editorial projects, promoting thoughtful collaboration and clear communication across complex organizational lines.
- Build and maintain strong internal relationships, developing trust across departments and programs and navigating competing interests with respect and care.
- Support the Communications department's strategic planning, identifying editorial gaps and opportunities.
This role may manage a small team and will have oversight of cross-team editorial projects. Support for team member development will be part of the role.
Key Internal Relationships
Communications; Executive Offices; Network Grants; Opportunity and Geographic teams
Key External Relationships
Grantees and Partners; Journalists and Editors; Content Producers and Media Outlets; and External Creative Agencies
The ideal candidate
- Significant experience in journalism, publishing, or editorial leadership, ideally in a global or mission-driven context
- Strong Understanding of digital platforms and how they shape modern storytelling
- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver compelling editorial strategies and narrative frameworks
- Experience managing complex, cross-departmental editorial projects
- Proven ability to coach and support teams in producing high-quality content
- Track record of collaboration across cultures, geographies, and organizational levels
- Strong editorial judgment and ability to respond strategically to both emerging issues and long-term storytelling goals
- Excellent writing and editing skills for all audience types
- Commitment to human rights, open society values, and inclusive communication practices
- Extensive field experience, including managing budgets, leading teams, and overseeing projects.
- Up-to-date knowledge of key topical issues and thought leaders, along with strong understanding of organizational management and cross-cultural leadership
- Proven ability to lead creatively on projects and programs, with a track record of developing new and effective ways to strengthen teams, departments, or strategic areas
- Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.
- Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:
- Generous time off, as well as our standard Open Society close at year-end (where vacation days are not required) and flexible work arrangements.
- Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required).
- Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance.
- Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more.
- A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact.
Who We Are
Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.
Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.
Additional Information
Open Society Foundations is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications without regard to race, age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.
Salary : $149,500 - $229,000
