Senior Editor (Supervisory)

The Atlantic is seeking an experienced editor to join the newsroom. This editor will be assigned to the Books desk, and will focus on assigning a variety of idea-driven books coverage, including critical essays, reported articles on cultural and publishing trends, and profiles.

The ideal candidate will be well-versed in magazine journalism, obsessed with clarity and accuracy, very organized, and deeply curious about a wide range of ideas across politics and culture. With one eye on the book release schedule and another on a very busy news cycle, you’ll be refining pitches and assigning stories that contribute to the cultural conversation. You might find yourself juggling an essay on the evolution of the internet novel; a philosopher’s new take on how to live meaningfully; a historian’s assessment of what Victor Hugo would have thought of Donald Trump; and a reported story on the romance genre. You should understand how to bring a magazine sensibility to a competitive digital environment, with all the intelligence and speed that requires. 

Working with both staff and freelance writers, and brainstorming constantly with the Books team and colleagues across the newsroom, you will work to clarify and elevate ideas, ensuring that every article makes the strongest, most interesting, and most air-tight argument possible. You will be able to move very quickly when the moment calls for it, without sacrificing rigor, and understanding that the best work comes through collaboration. You should also be very comfortable with a wide array of viewpoints and perspectives, keeping an eye out for ideological blind spots—including your own. This position will at times include night, early-morning, and weekend work. 

Qualifications of the ideal candidate: 

• Substantial experience as an assigning editor, including essays, reviews, and news stories

• A demonstrated knack for spotting and nurturing talented up-and-coming writers

• An obsession with literature, and a keen interest in the ideas driving both fiction and nonfiction

• Facility with the standards, ethics, and rigors of journalism

• Deep familiarity with The Atlantic

• Impeccable news judgment and an eye for argument and stylish execution

• A track record of working with, and generating ideas with, high-level writers

• Sophisticated writing skills, with a facility for communicating compelling ideas to a general-interest audience

• Interest in and openness to a wide variety of views and perspectives

• An ability to work quickly, switch gears as needed, and meet deadlines

• Close attention to detail and high standards for accuracy

• A collaborative spirit, and an ability to communicate effectively both up and down, and across different departments

This job will ideally be based in Washington, D.C., but remote applicants may be considered.

Salary minimum: $105,000; salary maximum: $165,000

About The Atlantic:

The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.

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The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.  

Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.