National Policy Editor

The Wall Street Journal • Washington, DC

1d • $150,000 - $175,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Wall Street Journal is seeking a sharp, versatile, and ambitious editor to join our Washington bureau as National Policy Editor. This is a high-impact leadership role at the intersection of governance and politics, responsible for bridging the gap between how policy is crafted in Washington and how it plays out on the campaign trail and in the lives of voters. Reporting to the Politics Editor, you will oversee a diverse, dynamic team of reporters. Half of your team will focus on the high-stakes power struggles in D.C. to shape federal policy, while the other half will be deployed across the country covering national political issues, campaigns, and the electorate. The ideal candidate is a sophisticated journalist who can effortlessly toggle between complex policy debates and the raw mechanics of campaign politics, delivering timely, nuanced stories that capture the true pulse of Washington and the nation.

Requirements

• Exceptional narrative judgment and the ability to edit complex political strategy and dense policy initiatives into crisp, compelling, and accessible prose on tight deadlines.
• A deep, sophisticated understanding of both federal policy mechanisms (regulatory, economic, and social) and national campaign politics, including polling, voter demographics, and election law.
• Impeccable journalistic ethics and the ability to guide reporters through highly polarized environments with fairness, balance, and analytical rigor.
• Proven leadership skills under the intense pressure of breaking news, major policy rollouts, and high-stakes election cycles.
• A minimum of 4 years of high-level journalism experience, with a significant background in editing or reporting on national politics, federal policy, or major political campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Masterfully connect D.C. policy battles to the campaign trail, ensuring our coverage clearly explains how decisions made in Washington impact voters, businesses, and political outcomes.
• Lead a diverse team of reporters, balancing the fast-moving daily news cycle of federal policymaking with the unpredictable, high-energy demands of national election and campaign reporting.
• Work closely with reporters to sharpen their angles, pushing them to move past conventional political horse-race coverage to deliver deeply reported, character-driven narratives and sharp analytical pieces.
• Partner with senior editors in Washington, New York, and our national desks to coordinate comprehensive, competitive coverage of major political moments, debates, and election nights.
• Champion data-driven journalism, creative visuals, and digital formats that translate polling numbers, policy impacts, and election trends into indispensable content for our global audience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more
• Optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed