Managing Editor for 'War on the Rocks' - Leading National Security Media Outlet

War on the Rocks•Washington, DC

33d•$115,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

War on the Rocks is seeking a detail-oriented, creative, and enthusiastic managing editor to join their editorial team. This role involves overseeing the publication and editorial process for commentary articles, working closely with editors, contributors, and the team. Responsibilities include managing 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 managing editor will work with a diverse group of contributors, including military personnel, national security practitioners, government officials, scholars, and defense industry professionals. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in national security and the judgment to evaluate arguments on strategy, defense, and foreign affairs. This position is not suitable for candidates whose experience is primarily in journalism without significant exposure to national security policy or practice.

Requirements

Five years of editorial experience (demonstrating serious and sustained wordsmithing).
Deep familiarity with defense and foreign policy issues, demonstrated by a minimum of five years of professional experience (excluding graduate education or internships).
Exceptional and obsessive attention to detail.
A 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, including the ability to make prose clearer, more precise, and more elegant.
Patience, rigor, and sound editorial judgment.
The 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.
Must live in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area or be willing to relocate.

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 other members of 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.