Managing Editor for Leading National Security Media Outlet
About The Position
War on the Rocks is seeking a detail-oriented, creative, and enthusiastic managing editor to join their editorial team. This is a hybrid position requiring employees to be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Candidates must live in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area or be willing to relocate. The managing editor will oversee the publication and editorial process for commentary articles, working closely with editors, contributors, and the War on the Rocks team. Responsibilities include stewarding articles from submission to publication, editing for argument, structure, clarity, and style, managing editorial workflows and deadlines, and maintaining the quality and consistency of the publication. The role requires working with authors who have deep subject-matter expertise but varying writing experience, and a strong background in national security with the judgment to evaluate arguments about strategy, defense, and foreign affairs. This position is not suitable for candidates whose experience is primarily in journalism without substantial national security policy or practice exposure.
Requirements
- Five years of editorial experience (demonstrating serious and sustained wordsmithing)
- Deep familiarity with defense and foreign policy issues (minimum of five years of professional experience, excluding graduate education or internships)
- Exceptional and obsessive attention to detail
- Passion for developing, improving, and maintaining organized editorial processes
- Proven ability to produce excellent work under short deadlines while managing longer-term projects
- Exceptional command of written English (ability to make prose clearer, more precise, and more elegant)
- Patience, rigor, and sound editorial judgment
- Ability to work collegially with authors and colleagues
- Flexibility to take on a range of responsibilities as part of a small team
- Right to work in the United States
Nice To Haves
- Experience in the U.S. armed forces, the Department of Defense, or the Department of State
- MA or other advanced degree in international relations, strategic studies, military science, or a related topic
Responsibilities
- Oversee the publication and editorial process for commentary articles
- Work closely with editors, contributors, and the War on the Rocks team
- Steward articles from submission through publication
- Edit articles for argument, structure, clarity, and style
- Manage editorial workflows and deadlines
- Help maintain the quality and consistency of the publication
- Work collegially with authors and colleagues
- Take on a range of responsibilities as part of a small team
Benefits
- Fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
- Competitive salary (starting range is $115,000 to $130,000)
- Annual bonuses
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
