Senior Editorial Manager, Features (National Geographic)

National Geographic; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 141,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Medical benefits

Job summary

National Geographic is seeking a Senior Editorial Manager, Features to lead ambitious editorial projects across print and digital platforms. You will manage development, commissioning, and editing, guide writers, and shape storytelling with strong visual and investigative angles.

You will oversee workflows, budgets, and analytics, mentor editors, and collaborate across departments to maximize reach and impact while maintaining National Geographic's standards and mission.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of publishing experience with increasing editorial responsibility in a large media organization.
• Outstanding editorial judgment, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications; strong knowledge of the National Geographic brand and mission.
• Ability to manage multiple timelines and formats without losing the big picture.
• Proven ability to develop writers, access difficult subjects, and shape revisions into strong stories.
• Strong ideas generation for visual storytelling; ability to pitch constantly at a high level.

Responsibilities

• Manage development, commissioning, and editing of ambitious stories across core content areas.
• Oversee workflows and team members to meet deadlines and budgets while achieving editorial goals.
• Use data and analytics to optimize reach and impact across platforms.
• Build and deepen relationships with exceptional writers and diverse voices.
• Assist leaders in scheduling and planning publication timelines; supervise administrative tasks as needed.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Story editing

Team management

Writer relationships

Analytics & strategy

Big-picture storytelling

Tools

MS Office

Adobe products

Editorial CMS (K4/InCopy)

AirTable

Job description

The Senior Editorial Manager, Features is responsible for delivering world-class editorial projects across National Geographic’s print and digital platforms. The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced leader and editor who has enthusiasm and demonstrated talent for conceiving, assigning, and editing exceptional stories across a range of types – ideas-driven features, unforgettable narratives, newsmaking investigations, surprising profiles, and more. They should possess deep connections with a diverse range of extraordinary writers, and a gift for bringing out the best in them – helping reporters gain access to difficult stories, navigate complicated reporting terrain, and transform ambitious ideas into tightly crafted stories through multiple drafts. They should have an imaginative and opportunistic eye for stories, especially those rich in visual possibility and worthy of extraordinary photography – and they should possess the restless energy to pitch constantly and at a high level. They should be as comfortable shepherding a fast-turnaround digital feature as a year-long investigation, and they should be genuinely excited by the challenge of leading, instructing, and growing other editors on our team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development, commissioning, and editing of various stories, with a focus on ambitious reported projects across all of National Geographic’s core content areas.
• Manage related workflows and team members to ensure that projects come together in accordance with deadlines and budgets, while meeting editorial objectives.
• Leverage data and audience analytics to develop and implement strategies for optimizing the reach and impact of our stories across platforms.
• Form, nurture, and maintain relationships with exceptional writers; develop and deepen connection with new voices and diverse perspectives.
• Assist leaders in scheduling and planning for project publication and completion; supervise administrative tasks, as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of publishing experience that demonstrates increasing editorial responsibility with a large media organization(s), while managing content and teams.
• Outstanding editorial judgement, strong attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills, strong knowledge of the National Geographic brand and mission, and demonstrated expertise in related core topic areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multiple timelines simultaneously – developing stories for next week and next year, across a range of formats, without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• A track record of bringing out the best in writers – including helping them gain access to difficult subjects, navigate complicated reporting terrain, and transform ambitious ideas into tightly crafted stories through revision.
• Exceptional idea generation, with a keen sense for stories that lend themselves to powerful photography and visual storytelling; the ability to pitch constantly, and at a high level.
• Ability to take overall responsibility for concept and content, as well as manage creative relationships.
• Self-motivated and resourceful, with the ability to work with minimal supervision, problem-solve creatively, and exercise independent judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to manage and grow a related team while working collaboratively in highly matrixed conditions with colleagues outside editorial, including communications and marketing, and business support (sales, promotion, and development).
• Proven track record in growing digital audiences and expanding brand reach.
• Understanding of the editorial process from conception to completion, and demonstrated ability to resolve technical, operational, and organizational problems.
• Experience with audio and podcast production – whether as a writer, editor, producer, or host – and a strong grasp of what makes for compelling audio storytelling.
• Familiarity with graphics and data visualization, including the ability to conceive of and commission visually driven editorial projects in collaboration with design and interactive teams.
• Experience managing and developing columnists or recurring contributors, with a track record of building productive and enduring creative partnerships.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, Editorial CMS (K4/InCopy), digital media platforms; with knowledge of AirTable a plus.

The hiring range for this position in Washington, DC is $141,300.00 to $189,400.00 per year and in New York, NY is $148,000.00 to $198,400.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Disclaimer

This position is with National Geographic Partners PAY SVC, which is part of a business we call National Geographic.

To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here.

National Geographic Partners PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.