Executive Editor

Society for Science; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 143,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Office near Dupont Circle

Job summary

Society for Science seeks an Executive Editor to guide Science News Media Group’s editorial vision. You will lead a multidisciplinary newsroom, coordinating coverage across Science News, Science News Explores, and related platforms, while driving innovation in storytelling and audience engagement.

You will manage budgets, partner with senior leadership, and uphold rigorous standards of accuracy and transparency to advance the society’s mission in science journalism.

Qualifications

• 10+ years leading a news organization.
• 7+ years in digital media publishing.
• Experience developing and managing budgets and implementing change management.
• Experience covering science, medicine, or technology.
• Strong editorial judgment with writing/editing excellence.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced degree in journalism is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct news coverage across print, digital, video and multimedia platforms.
• Set short- and long-term content goals and lead the newsroom to achieve them.
• Edit stories for accuracy and inclusivity; reflect diverse audiences.
• Innovate storytelling approaches to engage audiences with high-value content.
• Collaborate with leadership to align editorial strategy with SNMG goals.
• Oversee editorial workflow and staff supervision.
• Support funding proposals and reporting to funders as needed.
• Align content with SNMG mission and revenue objectives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Digital media publishing

Budget management

Change management

Editorial judgment

Writing/editing

Interpersonal skills

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Advanced journalism degree preferred

Job description

Society for Science is dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, access to STEM education and scientific research for more than 100 years . As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, our mission promotes the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. We are best known for our award-winning magazine, Science News, our world class science research competitions and our outreach and equity STEM Programs making sure that every young person can strive to become an engineer or scientist.

The Society is looking for an Executive Editor to support Science News Media Group.

We value strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and the ability to contribute to a fast-paced environment as an individual and as part of a team.

To perform the job successfully, this candidate must be a visionary journalist who can play a leadership role in building the next iteration of our independent news organization and advancing our mission of connecting the public with accurate, engaging news of the latest in science, medicine and technology – a mission that is more important now than ever before.

Position Overview

The executive editor is a creative thinker and problem solver who can develop innovative approaches in a rapidly changing news ecosystem and inspire a talented team of journalists to implement them.

The executive editor plays a lead role in our daily news operations, coordinating editorial coverage across SNMG products and platforms, and working closely with writers, editors, designers, and producers to make coverage decisions. The ideal candidate knows how to engage audiences across internal and third-party platforms and how to maximize engagement on each platform. The role also includes leading staff in developing special projects and major news event coverage.

The executive editor manages newsroom processes to ensure that our workflows and policies align with SNMG editorial and business goals, and works with the editor in chief, publisher, business and advancement teams to support SNMG revenue goals.

The executive editor works to unite teams towards our shared goals and to maintain our exceptional standards of accuracy as a trusted, unbiased source of the latest news in science, and how science helps us understand ourselves and the world around us.

Responsibilities

• Direct news coverage on multiple platforms, including print, digital, video and other multimedia, and social media
• Set short- and long-term content goals and lead the newsroom in achieving those goals
• Edit print, digital and multimedia stories as needed; ensure content is inclusive and reflective of our diverse audiences
• Identify and implement innovative approaches to our journalism and storytelling that engages people with distinctive, high-value content that answers questions they didn’t know they wanted to ask
• Work with the editor in chief and senior management team to establish an editorial strategy that aligns with the SNMG mission and the goals of growing audience and increasing loyalty
• Oversee the implementation of the editorial strategy
• Ensure that our content engages with audiences on the platforms and products that they prefer for getting news and information
• Supervise managers and other staff members as appropriate
• Leverage content alignment across our subject verticals and across properties, including Science News, Science News Explores and Science News Learning.
• Support the editor in chief and publisher on funding proposals, ensuring that they align with SNMG editorial goals, and reporting to funders as needed
• Support the publisher and business team in developing a business strategy and products that align with SNMG editorial goals
• Uphold our exacting standards of accuracy, integrity and transparency
• Identify opportunities to innovate around our mission

Qualifications

• 10 years or more of leadership experience in a news organization
• 7 years or more in digital media publishing
• Substantial experience developing and editing multiple products and storyforms, including news, features and multimedia
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Direct experience in change management
• Experience covering science, medicine and technology, or a strong interest/knowledge of the fields
• Content strategy and implementation
• Excellent editorial judgment, writing/editing skills
• Understanding of digital media, visual journalism and multimedia, including emerging trends
• Experience covering science, medicine and technology, or a strong interest/knowledge of the fields.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in an extremely fast-paced environment
• Proficient at interpreting data and providing actionable recommendations based on learnings
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to think creatively and strategically with an entrepreneurial and inventive approach to problem-solving
• A commitment to the importance of quality journalism and public understanding of science
• Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to develop rapport with colleagues and external clients

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Advanced degree in journalism preferred

Supervisory Responsibility

Managers, supervisors and other staff members as assigned.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. The Society is operating on a hybrid work schedule, with an in-office requirement of 2 days a week. Employees have the option of working remotely for up to 6 weeks a year.

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time (37.5 hr/wk), exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal office hours of the Society. The normal business hours of the Society are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, with core hours of 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST. Some light travel may be necessary for this position.

The salary range is $143,428 – $161,356.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.

Additional Information

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees coming into the office and attending Society events. Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons.

Science News

For more than a century, Science News journalists have covered advances in science, medicine and technology for the general public. We were founded as an independent nonprofit in 1921 by newspaper magnate E.W. Scripps and zoologist W.E. Ritter, who wanted to improve the quality and accuracy of science journalism and remain true to that vision today. Our mission is to provide independent, unbiased coverage of science and give people the tools to evaluate the news and the world around them.

We connect with audiences through our print magazines–Science News and Science News Explores–and their associated websites– ScienceNews.org and SNExplores.org . While Science News is targeted to adults, Science News Explores (which launched online in 2003 and as a print magazine in 2022) makes science accessible for young people ages 9 and up. Additionally, teachers and students in nearly 6,000 high schools read us in print and online through the Science News Learning program.

Science News is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education and scientific research through its award-winning publications and world-class science education competitions.

Society for Science

Founded in 1921, the Society for Science (Society), is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News Explores, the Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, is focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, education, and inspire.

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Society for Science & the Public is committed to equal employment opportunity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.