Deputy National Security Editor

Dow Jones; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wall Street Journal, based in Washington, D.C., is seeking a Deputy National Security Editor to lead coverage of U.S. foreign policy, defense, and geopolitics.

The role reports to the National Security Editor and requires rigorous editing and strategic oversight of both fast-moving news and ambitious long-form investigations. Based in Washington, D.C., the editor will mentor reporters, shape the newsroom’s narrative approach, and collaborate across desks to deliver high‑impact journalism for

Qualifications

• Elite editing skills with strong narrative structure.
• Understanding of geopolitics and national security issues.
• Ability to produce clear, compelling prose from complex topics.
• Ability to manage multiple stories under tight deadlines.
• Minimum 4 years of high-level journalism experience, especially in national security or foreign policy.”

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily coverage of the national security beat across the newsroom.
• Sharpen reporters' storytelling and oversee long-form features and investigations.
• Coach and mentor a team of reporters on narrative structure and investigative techniques.
• Collaborate with senior editors to set coverage priorities and coordinate a seamless global narrative.
• Champion digital storytelling formats to reach a global, sophisticated audience.

Skills

Editing mastery

Audience thinking

Subject mastery

Under deadline pressure

Proven track record

Job description

Washington D.C.

Full time

The Wall Street Journal is seeking an experienced and ambitious editor to join our Washington bureau as Deputy National Security Editor. In this role, you will help lead our coverage of the most critical issues in U.S. foreign policy, defense, and global geopolitics.

Reporting directly to the National Security Editor, you will be responsible for ensuring that our news coverage meets the highest standards of reporting and editing. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable handling the daily news flow as they are editing ambitious long‑form features and deep‑dive investigations. You will work hand‑in‑hand with our team of world‑class reporters to conceptualize big, impactful stories and elevate breaking news with unique angles.

You Will

• Manage Daily Coverage: Oversee the daily news flow on the national security beat, ensuring the Journal delivers fast, accurate, and indispensable reporting on the Pentagon, State Department, and intelligence community.
• Drive Excellence: Work closely with reporters to sharpen their storytelling, helping them develop must‑read stories about the most dynamic people and issues in U.S. geopolitics.
• Coach and Mentor: Act as a hands‑on editor and coach for a seasoned team of reporters, providing guidance on narrative structure and investigative techniques.
• Collaborate Strategically: Work with the National Security Editor and other senior editors in Washington, New York and the World team to set coverage priorities and coordinate a seamless global narrative.
• Innovate Digitally: Champion new storytelling formats and use digital‑publishing tools to ensure our journalism reaches and engages a sophisticated global audience.

You Have

• Elite Editing Skills: A mastery of narrative structure and the ability to turn complex geopolitical maneuvers into clear, compelling prose.
• Audience Thinking: A keen sense of the Journal’s audience - both present and future - and a strong desire to work across coverage areas and mediums – including video, graphics, and data – to produce top‑notch journalism.
• Subject Mastery: A deep understanding of the ins and outs of U.S. geopolitics and the inner workings of the Defense and State departments and the intelligence community.
• Cool Under Fire: Impeccable judgment and the ability to exercise it under intense deadline pressure.
• Proven Track Record: A minimum of 4 years of high‑level journalism experience, with a significant portion dedicated to covering or editing national security or foreign policy.

Location: This position is based in Washington, D.C.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. EEO/Disabled/Vets

Reasonable Accommodation

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application or participating in an interview due to a disability, email us at [e-mail]. Please put "Reasonable Accommodation" in the subject line and provide a brief description of the type of assistance you need. This inbox will not be monitored for application status updates.

Base Pay Range

150,000 - 175,000

We’re committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation to attract top talent. This pay range reflects our good faith estimate for the role and may vary based on a candidate’s experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors.

For bonus‑eligible roles, targets are determined based on multiple considerations, including market benchmarks and individual contributions.

For benefits‑eligible roles, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more, along with optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.

The Wall Street Journal is a global news organization that provides leading news, information, commentary and analysis. The Wall Street Journal engages readers across print, digital, mobile, social, audio, and video. Building on its heritage as the preeminent source of global business and financial news, the Journal includes coverage of U.S. and world news, politics, arts, culture, lifestyle, sports, health. It holds more than three dozen Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding journalism. The Wall Street Journal is published by Dow Jones, a division of News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV).