Job Description : |
We’re looking for an Editorial Director, News to join Thrillist’s editorial department within Group Nine Media! As the leader of the News team, you’ll oversee timely, fast-moving stories within the site’s key coverage areas of food, drink, travel, and more. The ideal candidate has a record of success in producing high-quality content for digital media outlets and is a proven people manager capable of shaping and mentoring writers into top talent. You’ll be based in our NYC office and report to the Editor in Chief. This role will be managing staff writers, and will be a key player in recruiting and hiring for the team in the future.
The Editorial Director, News will lead by example in demonstrating Group Nine’s values—Care Deeply, Be Brave, Go First, Do Good, Stay Close, and Win Together.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Thrillist is a lifestyle publication, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be responsible for shepherding time-sensitive stories and intensive reporting. You will oversee the entire news story publishing process from pitch to publication and distribution on key platforms. Priorities will sometimes change from hour to hour and you’ll shift your focus accordingly.
You’ll assist the writers in gathering stories to write by using social monitoring tools, checking in with your own contacts, and surveying the news landscape at the beginning of the day. Greenlight and reject (with feedback) writers’ pitches; assign stories as needed.
Copy-edit and fact-check as many as nine news stories a day and give in-the-moment constructive feedback to the writers. You’ll guide writers as they package their stories with images and headlines for maximum traffic and engagement by following the site’s established best practices and tapping into the innovation you bring to the role.
Keep close track of all the important goings-on in the News team’s special coverage areas, including fast food, food deals, new travel attractions, stargazing, and more.
Maintain a detailed editorial calendar throughout the year for the purpose of planning coverage for upcoming news events and maintaining evergreen content. You’ll also familiarize yourself with other verticals’ calendars to find opportunities for collaboration, avoid the duplication of efforts.
Use data insights and analytics to better understand our audience and apply those insights to inform future story ideas and execution.
Be a regular, active partner with Thrillist’s distribution, video, and design teams to ensure every story is supported visually and promoted effectively.
Oversee the production, curation, and growth of a newly launched email newsletter.
SUCCESS WILL LOOK LIKE:
Providing Thrillist readers with excellent, well-written, and beautifully packaged news stories about the latest in food, drink, travel, entertainment, and other core coverage areas.
Publishing stories and larger content packages that both bring in significant amounts of traffic and build on the Thrillist brand.
Meeting or exceeding traffic and output goals.
Coaching writers to perform at their highest levels and mentoring them for future success in other roles across the department.
Effectively innovating and adapting the team’s strategy as coverage opportunities come along and as priorities change.
MUST HAVES:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in digital media, including at least 5 years as an editor
Minimum 3 years of experience managing people
Bachelor’s degree (journalism or online media is a plus) or relevant experience
Experience managing a team, inclusive of delegating responsibilities, managing performance, supporting growth and development, and providing meaningful feedback
Strong reporting, writing, editing, and organizational skills
Expert-level headline writing
Sharp eye for beautiful imagery and photography for story packaging
Knack for fact-checking and instinct for detecting questionable information
Extensive knowledge of how internet news and lifestyle content works and familiarity with the ever-changing digital media landscape
Proficient in using and customizing data analytics tools, social media/trends monitoring platforms for a highly efficient workflow
Comfort and aptitude for communicating with writers on your team, freelancers, and representatives across the department and beyond
Ability to multitask and meet deadlines while juggling multiple projects
NICE TO HAVES:
Experience covering the food industry; particularly, fast food, fast casual, and QSR
Experience covering major space stories, such as major stargazing events
Interest in writing about new travel destinations/attractions and an eye for travel deals |