SVP & Editorial Director

AARP • Washington, DC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.
The Senior Vice President, Editorial Director will define and shape the “voice” of One AARP. This executive leader is responsible for the seamless integration and strategic execution of editorial content across AARP’s ecosystem, including AARP The Magazine, AARP Bulletin, AARP.org, AARP Studios, AARP Books, and the Integrated Content Team. As head of the Content Leadership Team—comprising senior editors and producers across platforms—they will ensure content is compelling, relevant, and optimized to engage the 50+ audience. They will also oversee promotional strategies, manage the Hispanic website and translation teams, and champion innovation, compliance, and excellence in storytelling.
This role requires a leader who blends editorial vision and cross-platform fluency with operational rigor and enterprise-minded leadership. The SVP, Editorial Director will unify print and digital efforts, align content with AARP’s mission and strategic agenda, and embed a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability throughout the content organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Deep experience in editorial leadership, ideally at the intersection of journalism, content marketing, and enterprise communications.
• Proven success leading complex editorial operations across multiple platforms (print, digital, video, social, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change, navigate compliance, and integrate creative and business objectives.
• Strong people leader with a track record of building, managing, and developing inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Comfortable with performance metrics, audience insights, and emerging tools including generative AI.
• Clear communicator and enterprise collaborator who can translate editorial direction into actionable goals.
• Mission-oriented, values-driven, and attuned to the responsibilities of content leadership in an advocacy-based organization.
• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Responsibilities

• Develops and owns a broad editorial strategy for all the organization’s channels.
• Manages the content creation process for the organization’s media properties group and provides overall direction for the development of all editorial content.
• Oversees the workflow and editorial operations of all media properties to ensure the highest level of coordination and effectiveness.
• Works with designated leads for each media property to set priorities and develop high-impact integrated content.
• Oversees short- and long-range editorial planning for the group, as well as budgets and personnel decisions.
• Monitors group performance metrics and keeps the content creation process on track.
• Ensures that design from the Creative Director is fully integrated across the group.
• Directs cross-functional teams of senior-level editors/content producers to align content development with broad editorial strategy.
• Works with the editors of each property to ensure the highest level of coordination and effectiveness.
• Works with the Content Leadership Team to ensure that the organization’s strategic issues and priorities are communicated effectively across the group.
• Plays a key role in developing new media products across the group, including special digital publications and mobile applications.
• Oversees editorial content from external partners and contributes to strategic oversight of partner-delivered products.

Benefits

• AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees