What are the responsibilities and job description for the Democracy Editor position at The Washington Post?
Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Job Description
The Washington Post is seeking an energetic, rigorous and collaborative editor to lead our coverage of American democracy, guiding an award-winning team that focuses on the challenges confronting U.S. institutions amid eroding public trust and attacks on our systems of governance.
The Post’s Democracy team was created in 2022 to centralize and expand our coverage of the battles over voting rules, the politicization of election administration and efforts to sow doubt about the outcome of the vote. The team also delves into the causes of American democratic dysfunction, the origins of misinformation, the consequences of polarization and the question of who gets represented in America. In the second Trump administration, the team will be deeply involved in coverage of any changes to traditional norms or efforts to test the guardrails that have historically checked executive power.
This editor will lead a team of reporters based in Washington and in key states around the country, as well as spearhead collaborations with journalists across the National staff and the newsroom.
We expect this editor to balance spot developments with deeper coverage and to help reporters conceive compelling stories that set The Post apart on a prominent and highly competitive beat. We are looking for someone with excellent news judgment and a track record of guiding original reporting and framing stories sharply, who recognizes news moments both big and small and assigns coverage accordingly. This person must excel both at editing breaking news in a deadline-driven environment as well as delivering high-impact stories that capture complex topics with authority, nuance, clarity and sensitivity, and in all cases elevates copy with the appropriate sweep and dynamism.
The ideal candidate also has considerable experience managing talented, veteran reporters and positioning them for growth and success, with a record of fruitful collaboration. Just as crucially, this editor knows when to pull back or say no, deploying reporting resources judiciously and holding off on publishing to insist on more reporting when necessary.
Responsibilities:
Preferred Qualifications:
This position is based in our Washington newsroom.
Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter outlining their vision for the role to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Jan. 29 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Senior Politics and Democracy Editor Griff Witte, Deputy National Editor Amy Fiscus and National Editor Philip Rucker.
The salary range for this position is: $122,500.00 - $204,100.00. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.
Compensation And Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.
Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you
#washpostlife
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Job Description
The Washington Post is seeking an energetic, rigorous and collaborative editor to lead our coverage of American democracy, guiding an award-winning team that focuses on the challenges confronting U.S. institutions amid eroding public trust and attacks on our systems of governance.
The Post’s Democracy team was created in 2022 to centralize and expand our coverage of the battles over voting rules, the politicization of election administration and efforts to sow doubt about the outcome of the vote. The team also delves into the causes of American democratic dysfunction, the origins of misinformation, the consequences of polarization and the question of who gets represented in America. In the second Trump administration, the team will be deeply involved in coverage of any changes to traditional norms or efforts to test the guardrails that have historically checked executive power.
This editor will lead a team of reporters based in Washington and in key states around the country, as well as spearhead collaborations with journalists across the National staff and the newsroom.
We expect this editor to balance spot developments with deeper coverage and to help reporters conceive compelling stories that set The Post apart on a prominent and highly competitive beat. We are looking for someone with excellent news judgment and a track record of guiding original reporting and framing stories sharply, who recognizes news moments both big and small and assigns coverage accordingly. This person must excel both at editing breaking news in a deadline-driven environment as well as delivering high-impact stories that capture complex topics with authority, nuance, clarity and sensitivity, and in all cases elevates copy with the appropriate sweep and dynamism.
The ideal candidate also has considerable experience managing talented, veteran reporters and positioning them for growth and success, with a record of fruitful collaboration. Just as crucially, this editor knows when to pull back or say no, deploying reporting resources judiciously and holding off on publishing to insist on more reporting when necessary.
Responsibilities:
- Drive democracy coverage that sets the agenda with scoop-driven reporting that clearly explains political and real-world implications
- Manage reporters. Help them set priorities on a busy beat, identify ambitious targets and hone their craft.
- Edit stories to the highest standards. Sharpen and elevate copy on deadline while also ensuring fairness, rigor, precision and excellence in story framing.
- Make sound decisions about sourcing, story construction and other editorial matters.
- Collaborate and work collegially with editors and reporters on teams throughout National and across the newsroom to provide the most comprehensive and visually dynamic coverage.
- Anticipate coverage needs and requests from senior editors; consistently form coverage plans and communicate them in a timely fashion to stakeholders around the newsroom.
- Edit with the reader in mind. Publish stories when readers are interested and at appropriate lengths. Optimize stories for digital success and embrace creative storytelling to identify the most compelling formats.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least 10 years of professional journalism experience, including at least five years as an editor, and a track record of distinction.
- Experience covering major, long-running breaking news stories, pursuing accountability targets and developing creative ideas for text and other formats.
- Exceptional communication and organizational skills.
- Experience developing sources on a competitive beat and/or coaching reporters to do so, with a resulting track record of scoops.
This position is based in our Washington newsroom.
Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter outlining their vision for the role to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Jan. 29 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Senior Politics and Democracy Editor Griff Witte, Deputy National Editor Amy Fiscus and National Editor Philip Rucker.
The salary range for this position is: $122,500.00 - $204,100.00. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.
Compensation And Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
- Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
- Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
- Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
- Nine paid holidays and two personal days
- 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
- Robust mental health resources
- Backup care and caregiver concierge services
- Gender affirming services
- Pet insurance
- Free Post digital subscription
- Leadership and career development programs
The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.
Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you
#washpostlife
Salary : $122,500 - $204,100
