Editorial Director, Rock Paper Shotgun

IGN; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading gaming media company is seeking an Editorial Director to guide the writing team at Rock Paper Shotgun. This pivotal role involves producing quality PC gaming content, managing editorial strategies, and ensuring audience engagement through innovative platforms. Join a passionate team dedicated to covering the latest trends and enhancing community interaction.

Benefits

Competitive salaries and benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Flexible Time Off

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Gym and Cycle to Work Schemes

Qualifications

• Ability to edit copy to high accuracy under time pressure.
• Experience leading journalists.

Responsibilities

• Lead the writing team and craft the content strategy.
• Manage publishing schedule to align with audience priorities.
• Oversee a freelance budget and team management.
• Implement social media strategies to engage audiences.
• Launch and host the Rock Paper Shotgun podcast.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of the PC gaming space

Good understanding of the PC gaming ecosystem

Ability to build a network of contacts

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong work ethic

Attention to detail

Passion for video games and gaming culture

Understanding of search engine optimization

Job description

About Us:

Rock Paper Shotgun is a part of IGN Entertainment. IGN Entertainment, a division of Ziff Davis, Inc., is one of the world’s largest gaming and entertainment media platforms and the go-to destination for fans to explore and celebrate games, film, TV, comics and much more. Across its 16 digital properties, IGN Entertainment reaches more than 490 million monthly users in 110 countries and engages with 73 million fans on social media. Its portfolio includes favorites such as IGN, Eurogamer, Digital Foundry, Rock Paper Shotgun, and MapGenie, delivering daily content across 46 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and connected TV. Through its online digital store Humble Bundle, IGN Entertainment has donated over $250 million to more than 38,000 charities worldwide, underscoring its commitment to making a positive impact. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IGN Entertainment's content is localized in 20 languages. Learn more at corp.ign.com.

Job Summary:

The Editorial Director leads our expert writing team to deliver the best PC gaming coverage and maintain a strong editorial voice on the Rock Paper Shotgun website, and associated social channels.

The Editorial Director will generate informative and up to date editorial content, and craft the site's content strategy, preserving high standards of integrity, credibility, and quality for our audience.

The role will lead the global Rock Paper Shotgun writing team and a freelance budget. It will report to the Publisher.

Responsibilities Include:

Work with the writing team to select the right topics, approaches, structure, and content priorities for our audience
Track PC gaming trends, potential disruptors and align editorial content with that information to keep the audience informed
Manage and oversee the publishing schedule to maximize the team's time and focus to ensure our content is delivered timely and aligns with the priorities of the audience.
Lead and develop the writing team, which includes managing and procuring an external pool of writers and contributors and the subsequent freelance budget
Collaborate with our wider organization to develop standard methodologies, and share this expertise.
Attend major industry conferences and press events, and manage the team’s attendance, to ensure the site has access to major interviews and contacts.
Edit copy written by others for accuracy, transparency and structure
Master our content management system (CMS) and use it to prepare your own and others' content for publication
Implement and maintain a social media strategy to ensure the audience is receiving the right information in the right places for them
Develop and host a Rock Paper Shotgun podcast that is distributed weekly.

Required Skills and Experience:

Extensive knowledge of the PC gaming space
Good understanding of the PC gaming ecosystem, both on the software and hardware side
Ability to build a network of contacts across the industry
Ability to edit other writers' copy to the highest standards of accuracy while under time pressure
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong work ethic with a high degree of determination and drive; strong organizational skills and a methodical approach

Positive solution oriented attitude and team mentality

Great attention to detail
Passion for video games and gaming culture
A sound understanding of search engine optimization
The ability to define, execute upon, and adapt an editorial strategy based on goals
Familiarity with the online publishing environment
Experience leading journalists

Work Environment:

Work Schedule: Full-time. Due to this role being at the Director level, and due to events, there may be a need to work extended hours and weekends from time to time.
Travel Requirements: There is a requirement for this role to travel internationally to attend events.
Physical Requirements: This role involves standard computer and office based activities, including extended periods of sitting, standing, and working at a computer. Occasional travel is required, which could include lifting and carrying materials, and navigating airports, hotels, and other venues. Reasonable accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.
Work Model: This role will be required to go into our London office on a hybrid basis, at least 2-3 days per week.

Our Culture and Values

At IGN, we believe diversity stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of new ideas, and enriches our personal and professional lives. We are committed to championing diversity in all that we do, weaving fairness and equity into the fabric of our organization, and achieving a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and antiracist culture where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive.

Here’s the good stuff about us…

You’ll make an impact. We reach 490MM monthly unique users. We’re big time, but we’re not afraid to give you real opportunities to be epic and make a difference immediately.
We’ve got a big presence, but a small team.
We have fun. It’s all about games and games are fun. Anyone can offer a casual work environment, flexible hours, and benefits. We can offer that and a place where you can squad up with your coworkers in the arcade/game room.
We’re passionate about what we do. IGN employees understand our users, because they are our users. We have a personal interest in providing the best possible product.

IGN Entertainment offers competitive salaries in addition to robust health and wellness focused benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, life cover and income protection; a company Pension scheme, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Pregnancy and Parental leave, Flexible Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Gym and Cycle to Work Schemes as well as employee-focused engagement and education programs, including Employee Resource Groups and company-sponsored events. If you’re seeking a dynamic work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance, then IGN is the place for you.

Ziff Davis is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.