Deputy Editor

ITP Media Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

A UAE-based lifestyle media brand, ahlan, is seeking a Deputy Editor to run editorial operations day to day, lead our social team, and deputise for the Editor across strategy, output and quality. You will oversee both the written and social sides of ahlan, ensuring every publish—from headline to Reel—sounds on brand, with strong people management to keep the team focused and moving fast.

The role requires 5+ years in media, exceptional editing and sub-editing, fluency in English (British

Qualifications

• 5+ years in media or journalism with people-management experience.
• Exceptional editing and sub-editing skills with a clear editorial voice.
• Strong understanding of social media formats, analytics, and storytelling.
• Deep knowledge of the region's lifestyle scene.
• Confident leadership under tight deadlines; ability to steer a team.
• Fluent written English with British spelling; ability to edit for tone and consistency.
• Willingness to attend events outside standard hours.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Editor, owning editorial output in their absence.
• Oversee editorial calendar across platforms, balancing news, features and social-first storytelling.
• Edit and sub-edit copy across all verticals to comply with ahlan's style guide.
• Manage social output—video content, captions, scripts—ensuring branding and timeliness.
• Identify trends and cultural moments; brief team on what to chase.
• Review weekly performance data to refine coverage and content strategy.
• Contribute to tone of voice and editorial identity as the brand grows.
• Collaborate with commercial and marketing teams on campaigns while protecting editorial integrity.
• Liaise with PRs and brands for information, invites and imagery.
• Step in on breaking news and last-minute changes; keep the team moving under pressure.
• Represent ahlan at events, launches and industry gatherings.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Editing & sub-editing

Social media analytics

Regional lifestyle knowledge

Deadlines under pressure

Job description

Job Description:

Do you know a great story from a good one, and can you make everyone else's work better too? Can you run a newsroom's day-to-day while keeping half an eye on what's about to trend? If you want real ownership over how a brand shows up online, ahlan wants to hear from you.

We're a social-first lifestyle brand covering everything worth knowing about across lifestyle, beauty, fashion, celebrity, travel and the moments taking over people's feeds. We're looking for a Deputy Editor to run editorial operations day to day, lead our social team, and deputise for the Editor across strategy, output and quality.

You'll oversee both the written and social sides of ahlan, making sure everything published, from a headline to a Reel sounds like ahlan. You'll manage people as much as content, keeping the team focused, on brand and moving fast.

Key Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Editor, owning editorial output and decision-making in their absence.
• Oversee the editorial calendar across our platforms and balancing news, features and social-first storytelling.
• Edit and sub-edit copy across all verticals, holding every piece to ahlan's style guide.
• Oversee social output - video content, captions, scripts - ensuring it's on-brand, on-schedule and performing.
• Identify trends, cultural moments and stories before they peak, briefing the team on what to chase.
• Review performance data and social analytics weekly, using the findings to refine coverage and content strategy.
• Contribute to ahlan's tone of voice and editorial identity as the brand grows.
• Collaborate with commercial and marketing teams on campaigns and partnerships, protecting editorial integrity.
• Liaise with PRs and brands to source information, invites and imagery.
• Step in on breaking news and last-minute changes, keeping the team moving under pressure.
• Represent ahlan at events, launches and industry gatherings.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in media or journalism, including experience managing writers or a small team.
• Exceptional editing and sub-editing skills, with total command of ahlan's voice: clarity over cleverness, active voice, no clichés.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, formats and analytics, alongside traditional editorial skills.
• Real knowledge of the region's lifestyle scene.
• Confidence leading and giving direction to a team under deadline pressure.
• Comfortable moving between long-form editorial judgement and fast, social-first decision-making.
• Excellent written English (British spelling), with an eye for what needs cutting.
• Organised and calm under pressure, able to run multiple workstreams at once.
• A collaborative mindset and interest in how editorial supports commercial growth.
• Flexibility to attend events outside standard hours.
• Fluent in English; Arabic a plus.

Requirements: