Senior Editorial Director

Council on Foreign Relations•Washington, DC

9d•$165,000 - $195,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Editorial Director leads the Council on Foreign Relations’ Publications team and helps ensure that its research reports and other publications are high-quality and high-impact. The role is also hands-on: the Senior Editorial Director edits or top-edits all reports, working with authors and editors to strengthen arguments, clarity, style, and structure. The position sets and upholds editorial standards, oversees and develops editorial staff, establishes priorities and schedules, and improves editorial policies and processes. It works closely with CFR fellows and other authors throughout the editorial process and represents the Publications team across the organization. The role also cultivates freelance editors and designers and guides fellows through book publishing, including advising on proposals and publishers and connecting fellows with literary agents. The position is based in CFR’s New York or Washington, DC, office on a hybrid basis. CFR defines hybrid status as working at least four days per week on site; Tuesday through Thursday are institutional anchor days when all staff are required to be on site.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, economics, history, English, journalism, or a related field.
At least ten years of editing experience, which may include work at a journal, magazine, nonprofit organization, academic institution, think tank, book publisher, newspaper, or online news site.
Experience managing, mentoring, and developing editorial staff, including setting priorities, allocating work, and providing constructive feedback.
Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and international relations, including familiarity with major contemporary issues and debates.
First-rate editing skills, including the ability to strengthen argument, structure, clarity, and accessibility.
Ability to edit subject-matter experts’ work into clear prose while maintaining good relations.
Excellent diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
Exceptional editorial judgment and an ear for language.
Deep knowledge of editorial standards and workflows.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple publications simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with or openness to new technologies and publication formats.

Responsibilities

Edit or top-edit all CFR reports, working with foreign policy experts to strengthen argument, structure, clarity, accuracy, and policy relevance.
Set and uphold editorial standards for research publications and shape the quality and voice of CFR’s work.
Oversee the CFR Publications team, including supervising and mentoring staff and fostering editorial excellence.
Provide fellows and other authors with substantive guidance on framing, argument, and presentation throughout the editorial process.
Set editorial priorities, manage schedules, solve problems, and ensure timely publication of research.
Develop and improve editorial policies and processes while adapting to changing technologies, formats, and audience needs.
Manage and cultivate a network of freelance editors and designers.
Make editorial judgments on significant questions of quality, argument, or style.
Represent the Publications team across CFR and build working relationships with Digital, Communications, and other departments to expand the impact and reach of CFR research.
Guide fellows through the book-publishing process, advise on proposals and publishers, and connect fellows with literary agents.
Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.