Associate Editor, Ideas

The San Francisco Standard; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The San Francisco Standard is seeking an associate editor to build out our Ideas section in San Francisco. Working alongside the Ideas editor, you will commission and edit stories covering SF, California, and the culture, industries, and politics that animate them.

This full-time, in-office role offers the chance to shape ambitious ideas, find new contributors, manage submissions, edit pieces for voice and clarity, and even write and report when time allows.

Qualifications

• Editing experience, ideally in opinion, ideas, or commentary journalism.
• Strong news judgment and originality in argument and writing.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Comfort managing multiple submissions and deadlines at once.
• Spanish- and Chinese-language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and correspond with contributors and sources across San Francisco and California politics, culture, and technology
• Manage the submission pipeline
• Edit contributor submissions and commissioned pieces for argument, structure, clarity, and voice
• Collaborate with the rest of the Standard newsroom
• Write and report as capacity allows

Skills

Editing experience

News judgment

Writing & editing skills

Deadline management

Spanish language skills

Chinese language skills

Job description

The San Francisco Standard is seeking an associate editor to build out our Ideas section. Ideas is where the Standard publishes ambitious, original arguments and perspectives about San Francisco, California, the West — and the culture, industries, and politics that animate them. Working alongside the Ideas editor, you will commission and edit stories that cover everything from the state of San Francisco public schools to the AI boom to the California governor’s race.

This is a rare opportunity to help build something from the ground up. The Standard is an ambitious, fast-growing publication with big goals — and we're looking for someone who wants to be part of that. In this role, you’ll find and cultivate new contributors, keep the submissions pipeline moving, and edit pieces into sharp, voicey, deep work. You'll identify promising ideas and writers, edit different kinds of articles, and manage pitches and drafts. You are also encouraged to do original writing and reporting as time allows.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and correspond with contributors and sources across San Francisco and California politics, culture, and technology
• Manage the submission pipeline
• Edit contributor submissions and commissioned pieces for argument, structure, clarity, and voice
• Collaborate with the rest of the Standard newsroom
• Write and report as capacity allows

Qualifications

• Editing experience, ideally in opinion, ideas, or commentary journalism
• Familiarity with the San Francisco and California political and cultural landscape is preferred, as are existing relationships with relevant writers and contributors
• Strong news judgment and a sharp eye for originality in argument and writing
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Comfort managing multiple submissions and deadlines at once
• Spanish- and Chinese-language skills are a positive

This is a full-time, in-office position based in San Francisco.

The pay range for this role is $80,000 to $100,000. Actual compensation is based on several factors unique to each candidate.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value all aspects of diversity and do not discriminate based on race, ethnic origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, veteran status, genetic information, or disability. We are committed to hiring a diverse team and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.