Assistant Editor, SEO

Assistant Editor, SEO

The Boston Globe is seeking an Assistant Editor, SEO to lead the newsroom's search strategy and help grow audiences through search. This editor will combine strong news judgment with deep expertise in search, audience data, and emerging discovery platforms to identify opportunities, influence editorial decision-making, and maximize the reach and impact of Globe journalism.

Working with a high degree of independence, this person will use analytics, search trends, and SEO best practices to shape daily coverage, inform enterprise planning, and drive long-term audience growth. They will identify opportunities for major news events, daily coverage, and long-term beat structures to ensure Globe journalism reaches readers wherever they are searching for information.

The ideal candidate is an experienced digital journalist with exceptional news judgment and a strategic mindset. They understand that SEO is not simply about keywords—it's about understanding audience intent, anticipating reader needs, and using data to make smart editorial decisions without compromising journalistic standards. They are equally comfortable analyzing search performance, advising editors on coverage strategy, experimenting with new approaches, and teaching colleagues how to strengthen the reach of their journalism.

This editor will serve as the newsroom's authority on search, working closely with editorial leaders while partnering across Product, Technology, Audience, and Business teams to advance company-wide search initiatives. They will stay ahead of changes in search, including AI-powered search experiences, and help the newsroom adapt to an evolving digital landscape.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the newsroom's SEO strategy, using audience insights, search trends, and performance data to increase readership and engagement.
• Independently identify opportunities to improve search visibility and recommend editorial strategies before, during, and after major news events.
• Partner with editors and reporters across the newsroom to incorporate SEO and audience insights into daily reporting, enterprise coverage, and breaking news.
• Produce regular search intelligence reports that inform coverage planning, identify emerging topics, and uncover audience opportunities.
• Monitor search performance, audience analytics, and key engagement metrics, translating data into actionable recommendations for newsroom leaders.
• Track competitive search landscapes and emerging news trends to identify opportunities where Globe journalism can better meet audience demand.
• Exercise independent editorial judgment in evaluating search opportunities and determining how best to position Globe journalism for maximum reach and impact.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to site structure, metadata, taxonomy, and other technical elements that influence search performance, collaborating closely with Product and Technology teams.
• Serve as the newsroom's subject matter expert on SEO, educating editors and reporters through coaching, training, and the development of best practices.
• Stay current on developments in search, including AI-powered search, generative search experiences, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and emerging audience behaviors, translating those changes into practical newsroom strategies.
• Experiment with new audience development approaches, measure results, and recommend successful practices for broader adoption.
• Represent the newsroom on cross-functional initiatives involving search, audience growth, product development, analytics, and digital innovation.
• Foster a culture of audience-focused journalism, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning.

Qualifications:

• Five or more years of experience in digital journalism, audience development, SEO, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing SEO strategies that increase audience growth and engagement for a news organization.
• Strong understanding of editorial SEO, technical SEO fundamentals, search intent, keyword research, and content optimization.
• Experience using analytics and SEO platforms such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Parse.ly,…