Senior Editor, Talent Partnerships

Senior editor, talent partnerships

The Guardian is a global news organization that delivers fearless, independent journalism. From breaking news and award-winning investigations to in-depth coverage of technology, sports, film, culture, and lifestyle, the Guardian offers a global view that deepens our audiences' understanding of America and the world.

Headquartered in New York City, Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's international coverage with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include US politics, technology, the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, health, sports, culture, and more. Guardian US launched in 2011 and has bureaus in New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

The Guardian is an independently owned, mission-driven organization funded by readers around the globe.

It's the talent, energy, and commitment our people bring to The Guardian that makes us who we are. Across our business, we have some of the most creative thinkers in media and beyond, award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial teams, digital talent, and more.

Title: Senior editor, talent partnerships

Location: New York, NY

Salary range: $122,000-$129,000

Reports to: Deputy editor/SVP strategy US and US head of opinion

Terms & conditions: One-year fixed-term contract with benefits. News Media Guild role.

Key contacts and relationships: Editor, Guardian US, VP audience + strategy, deputy editor, race and equity, deputy US opinion editor, US newsletter editor, VP, supporter strategy

The Guardian seeks an enterprising editor and talent spotter to launch a new project involving partnerships with high profile writers, authors and voices in the US. Working closely with the Guardian’s US opinion editor and senior leadership, this editor will help us develop a pilot program to explore new ways of collaborating with independent external contributors on platforms like Substack or Patreon.

They will help us identify compelling writers with deeply original perspectives that align with the Guardian’s core values and think creatively about how to bring them into the Guardian fold and cross promote each other’s work.

The role requires a unique mix of skills starting with great editorial taste and experience editing opinion pieces. But the project has goals around audience engagement and reader revenue, so the ability to think strategically about digital engagement, measure impact, and hit goals is essential. The charisma and gravitas to recruit and build relationships with contributors, and the management experience to negotiate simple contracts are also essential.

An allergy to the term “thought leader” is appreciated.

This is a one-year contract position as we explore and test the concept.

• Identify and recruit roughly six writers and voices who would make strong partners for the Guardian
• Think strategically and creatively about how to design partnerships that help the Guardian hit growth goals around email sign ups, app downloads and reader revenue
• Edit opinion pieces, essays and interviews that result from the partnerships
• Track and report the progress of the project
• Develop ideas and strategies to work with existing Guardian columnists around growth goals

• 5+ years editorial management experience in a digital newsroom
• Sophisticated understanding of the US news and opinion landscape and of the Guardian’s unique place within it
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to build and manage relationships with contributors
• Knowledge of digital audience development tactics and metrics
• Experience negotiating contributor agreements (with support from HR and legal)
• Collaborative style and ability to work with multiple stakeholders, combined with the ability to work independently
• Ability to work with both editorial and commercial colleagues
• Project management skills

• 25 days of vacation leave in addition to 12 company holidays
• Unlimited sick time
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 401(k) Match
• Subsidized healthcare coverage including medical, vision, and…