Recipe Director, Kitchen & Cooking Lab, Good Housekeeping Institute

Hearst Magazines; New York (NY); On-site; USD 116,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Wellness and benefits package

401(k) plan with company match

Job summary

Hearst Magazines’ Good Housekeeping Institute is hiring a Recipe Director, Kitchen & Cooking Lab, to lead recipe development, testing and editorial across digital, print and social platforms from its New York office. You will shape culinary programming, set high standards for trust and usability, and collaborate with editors, designers, photographers and product testing teams.

You will manage a network of freelance culinary talent, guide content strategy with seasonal trends, and help feature

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in recipe development, food editorial, culinary content or a related field.
• Strong leadership and ability to manage high-volume content pipeline.
• Ability to translate culinary expertise into engaging content across platforms.
• Experience managing freelance contributors and culinary talent.
• Demonstrated editorial judgement and storytelling across digital, print, social and video.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, editing and production of original recipes for Good Housekeeping across digital, print and social platforms.
• Oversee end-to-end recipe workflow from ideation to publication, ensuring timely delivery.
• Establish rigorous recipe testing and editorial standards for clarity and brand voice.
• Shape recipe packages and culinary programming in partnership with editors, using trends and SEO opportunities.
• Integrate Kitchen & Cooking Lab insights into recipe development and feature appliances and cookware.
• Cultivate and manage a diverse network of freelance recipe developers and culinary experts.

Skills

Recipe development

Editorial leadership

Project management

Freelance collaboration

Job description

Be Part Of What's Next

Great recipes do more than inspire-they earn trust in the kitchen. The Good Housekeeping Institute is looking for a culinary leader to serve as

Be Part Of What's Next

Great recipes do more than inspire-they earn trust in the kitchen. The Good Housekeeping Institute is looking for a culinary leader to serve as Recipe Director, Kitchen & Cooking Lab, shaping the recipes our audiences cook, share and return to, and setting a high bar for creativity, reliability and usefulness across every platform.

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)

We create media that moves minds, products and ideas.

Our portfolio of 30 iconic brands - including Cosmopolitan, Delish, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Men's Health and Road & Track - reaches nearly 130 million people each month. Our teams combine trusted journalism and cultural storytelling with technology, data and commerce to create experiences that inform, inspire and entertain audiences across generations and around the globe.

And together, we are shaping what's next.

Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)

• Lead the development, editing and production of original recipes for Good Housekeeping across digital, print and social platforms, setting and upholding high standards for quality, accuracy, reliability and accessibility for home cooks.
• Oversee the end-to-end recipe workflow, from ideation and testing through revisions and publication, ensuring a consistent pipeline and timely delivery of high-quality recipe content across platforms.
• Establish rigorous recipe testing and editorial standards, editing recipes for clarity, consistency, technique and brand voice while ensuring alignment with Good Housekeeping Institute standards for trust, usability and performance.
• Shape recipe packages and culinary programming in partnership with editors, using seasonal trends, audience interests, service journalism, SEO opportunities and social engagement to inform compelling ideas.
• Integrate the expertise of the Kitchen & Cooking Lab-including product testing insights, kitchen knowledge and consumer research-into recipe development, while identifying editorially sound opportunities to feature appliances, cookware and kitchen tools.
• Cultivate and manage a diverse network of freelance recipe developers, culinary experts, food creators and stylists, providing assignments, creative direction and thoughtful editorial feedback while building relationships with emerging culinary talent.
• Collaborate with editors, designers, photographers, video producers, social teams and product testing teams to bring food stories to life, including recipes supporting appliance reviews, buying guides and editorial features.
• Represent Good Housekeeping's culinary expertise internally and externally, contributing to photo and video shoots, special editorial projects, events and brand initiatives, and strengthening the brand's presence at relevant industry events and culinary gatherings.

Qualifications (What We're Looking For)

• 8+ years of experience in recipe development, food editorial, culinary content or a related field, with significant experience developing, testing and editing recipes for a consumer audience.
• Deep knowledge of recipe development and testing, cooking techniques, ingredients and culinary standards, with a strong understanding of what makes recipes clear, dependable and approachable for home cooks.
• Demonstrated editorial judgement and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate culinary expertise into engaging content across digital, print, social and video platforms.
• Strong leadership and project-management skills, including the ability to manage a high-volume content pipeline, balance competing priorities and maintain exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience assigning and editing the work of freelance contributors and building relationships with culinary experts, creators and other food talent.
• A collaborative mindset and demonstrated ability to partner effectively across editorial, creative, video, social, audience development and product testing teams.
• Baking expertise, experience cooking across a range of cuisines, and food styling experience are all a plus.
• Familiarity with audience insights, SEO, social trends and evolving consumer behaviors in food and cooking is preferred.
• This role is based in New York City and requires working in the office four days per week.

Benefits (What We Offer)

• Work with the Best: Collaborate with top-tier professionals across media, advertising, tech, fashion, lifestyle and publishing, shaping the future of these dynamic industries.
• Grow Your Skills: Unlock your potential with access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops and exclusive industry events.
• Work-Life Harmony: Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, empowering you to balance professional success with personal priorities.
• Foster Connection & Belonging: Join our Employee Resource Groups and help create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
• Wellness First: Prioritize your well-being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance from Day 1.
• Plan for Your Financial Future: Enjoy competitive financial benefits, including a 401(k) plan with a generous company match.

This is a position covered under the Writers Guild of America, East, Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Compensation

The base salary range below is the Company's good-faith estimate for this position in the posted work location at the time of posting. Final starting salary will be based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, training, certifications, education, location and market considerations.

Base Salary Range

$116,000 - $140,000 USD