Editorial Director, Vox

Vox Media, LLC•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for a senior leader to oversee some of the most dynamic and essential coverage areas core to Vox. The Editorial Director is a senior newsroom leader who oversees the Future Perfect team, as well as our Climate, Health, Down to Earth writers, and our biweekly ideas-driven video podcast The Gray Area. This person will set editorial strategy for these teams, manage editors and writers, and help chart the future of Vox’s coverage on these subjects. The Future Perfect section covers the world through a distinctive prism: What are the best ways to do good in the world? We shine a light on neglected stories that have, or will have, a profound impact on the lives of billions of humans and animals. We bring rigorous, evidence-driven journalism to some of the most consequential questions of our time — from the rapid advance of artificial intelligence to the slow-motion crisis of factory farming, from the promise of global health breakthroughs to the catastrophic risks that threaten civilization itself. We’re looking for someone who combines deep editorial judgment with genuine intellectual engagement in Future Perfect’s subject areas — someone who can pressure-test a thesis about AI governance as readily as they can sharpen a lede about pandemic preparedness — as well as real experience in science, health, biodiversity and climate journalism. The right candidate will be a strong people manager and a strategic thinker, but above all, they’ll be someone who cares about getting the most important stories right. Key subject areas include Emerging technology and artificial intelligence Philanthropy, altruism, and the institutions that shape giving Global health and global development Animal welfare and factory farming Catastrophic risks to humanity, including pandemics and nuclear war Climate change, energy, and biodiversity Philosophy, ethics and the world of ideas Health coverage through a personal, patient-focused lens Other evidence-driven approaches to improving lives at scale

Requirements

At least 5 years of full-time editing experience in a fast-paced digital newsroom or equivalent editorial environment, with significant management experience. Experience managing editors (i.e., managing managers) is a strong plus.
Strong editorial judgment and intellectual range. You can help a reporter move from a promising question to a sharp nut graf, from a messy draft to a coherent argument, and from “interesting” to “compelling and useful.” You’re as comfortable editing a deeply reported global health feature as a provocative ideas piece about AI.
A clear philosophy on managing and developing editors and writers, especially the ability to give direct feedback while building trust and momentum. You know how to help people get better at their jobs, not just produce better copy on any given day.
Genuine intellectual engagement with Future Perfect’s core areas — emerging technology and AI, philanthropy, global health, global development, animal welfare, and catastrophic risk. You don’t need to be an expert in all of them, but you should have strong instincts about what matters in at least some, and a genuine appetite for the rest.
Strategic thinking about editorial coverage in the context of audience, membership, and sustainability. You can think clearly about what topics and approaches serve both the mission and the business.
An ability and willingness to work across multiple mediums and platforms — text, audio, and video — and to partner closely with podcast, video, and audience teams in a highly collaborative setting
An organized, self-starting approach. You can manage multiple teams, competing priorities, and shifting timelines without losing the thread. You’re proactive about solving problems before they escalate.
Comfort with the realities of web publishing: you understand urgency and speed without sacrificing accuracy and care.

Responsibilities

Set and drive the editorial direction for Future Perfect, Climate, Health, and Down to Earth — deciding which topics to double down on, which approaches merit greater emphasis, and where to take creative risks.
Shape stories and coverage plans to ensure they are rigorous, compelling, and aligned with Vox’s editorial strategy and audience goals. You should be able to spot when a piece needs a sharper argument, a stronger evidence base, or a fundamentally different frame.
Work closely with the executive editor and the managing editor for audience and membership to ensure editorial priorities connect to Vox’s broader strategy in the membership era.
Provide editorial guidance for The Gray Area video podcast team, including assisting in selecting guests and strategizing on interview approaches.
Identify gaps and opportunities in coverage, and help facilitate collaborations across Vox’s text, audio, and video teams.
Manage editors, giving substantive editorial feedback, coaching career growth, and building a culture of high standards and mutual trust.
Support the development of early-career reporters alongside more experienced staff.
Serve as a member of the editorial leadership team, contributing to broader newsroom strategy and decision-making.
Champion Vox’s internal culture by bringing teams together on cross-functional and cross-platform projects — very much including video and audio — organizing newsroom brainstorms, and modeling collaborative leadership.
Partner with the chief of staff and director of development on grant-funded editorial projects, including contributing editorially to proposals.