Senior Editor, Modern Love

The New York Times; New York (NY); On-site; USD 148,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job description

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.

Job Description

Since the Modern Love podcast launched in 2015, it has brought listeners into the private lives of people grappling with every kind of love story imaginable: bubbly romance, illicit affairs, familial heartache and triumph, unshakable platonic bonds and the hard fought road to self discovery. Inspired by the essays published weekly in The New York Times Modern Love column, the podcast brings these complex personal narratives to life through highly crafted interviews.

We're seeking an audio editor to lead the Modern Love team, set the show's editorial ambition and define the sound of the show. This person should be energized by the opportunity to tell love stories in all their mess and complexity, and to take a written essay and transform it into an artful audio story. This person will be focused on shaping and structuring episodes, working with the host and managing the production team. They should also be ready to help improve the show’s format with an eye towards broadening the types of interviews we do and the stories we tell, under the guidance of the audio department’s leadership. The right candidate is a curious, creative thinker, who is filled with ideas, excited to build and evolve the show, and excels in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities:

1. Edit episodes, with an eye toward story selection, framing and structure.
2. Help guide the prep process to ensure episodes have clarity of thought, logical sequencing of ideas and are structured for maximum impact.
3. Know how to elicit tape with plot, surprise, nuance and emotional information.
4. Work with the Executive Producer to set editorial agenda and goals for the show.
5. Work with production teams to cast, pre-interview and book guests.
6. Identify and cultivate relationships with Times journalists and desk heads for potential or continuing involvement with the show.
7. Manage a team of producers, assessing their performance as well as guiding and supporting their growth.
8. Communicate notes and feedback, directly, quickly and compassionately.
9. Work with the host in the studio. Understand how to amplify her strengths and look for opportunities to push and develop the voice of the show together.
10. In collaboration with the production and composer teams, maintain a music library and approach to scoring that elevates each episode.
11. Anticipate challenges in episodes and solve them.
12. Run recording sessions to ensure that the producers get the best ‘reads’ for the Modern Love essay readings, and discern how those reads are incorporated into the structure and flow of the episode.
13. Oversee the booking of luminaries and experts who write and create art related to love and relationships.

Basic Qualifications:

1. At least 8+ years experience in audio production, including at least 4 as an editor.
2. Excellent manager.
3. Experience overseeing soup-to-nuts audio production.
4. Manages multiple deadlines.
5. Experience with every aspect of editing — from structuring an episode, pacing and line editing to noting the stray breath that is cut and the piece of music that comes in one beat too late.
6. Experience navigating a complex newsroom environment.
7. Able to think creatively about how to make smart audio shows to get listeners hooked.
8. Experience fostering an inclusive, diverse environment.
9. Collaborative spirit is a must.
10. Believes in The New York Times’ mission of independence and is dedicated to being a part of our innovation and growth.
11. Uphold the editorial standards of The Times.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience in quick turn around productions, including daily shows.
2. Experience in show development or creative direction.
3. Experience in long form narrative two way formats.
4. Experience in memoir related audio.

The annual base pay salary for this role is between $148,000.00 and $160,000.00.

The New York Times is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that reflects the varied global community we serve. Our journalism and the products we build in the service of that journalism greatly benefit from a range of perspectives, which can only come from diversity of all types, across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. Achieving true diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing for our business. So we strongly encourage women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color and gender nonconforming candidates to apply.

The New York Times Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email [e-mail].

The Company will further consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable 'Fair Chance' laws.

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