Director of Editorial, American Progress

September 22, 2023
Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Production
Staff reporting to this position: Editors
Department: Communications
Position classification: Exempt, full time; Nonunion - Level 7
Minimum compensation: $92,000
Work site: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)

Summary

American Progress has an immediate opening for a Director of Editorial to join a small management team that works together to run all aspects of production on a day-to-day basis. A player-manager role, the Director of Editorial helps assure the quality of publications ranging from research reports to rapid response columns. Working in a fast-paced, journalistic environment, the Director will help with daily production of the website; the hiring, training, and management of editorial staff; various digital projects including websites; and short- and long-term planning.

Ideal candidates will have a clear understanding of American Progress’ mission and a thoughtful approach to collaboration with a variety of writers and policy experts.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of colleagues to assist in supporting American Progress’ five crosscutting priorities:

  • Building an economy for all
  • Restoring social trust in democracy
  • Advancing racial equity and justice
  • Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
  • Strengthening health

Responsibilities:

  • Line edit and copyedit American Progress’ products including reports, issue briefs, columns, and other content for both print and web.
  • Help to manage, train, and mentor a team of editors.
  • Help conceptualize and scaffold complex policy ideas and create narrative companion pieces, making them accessible to large audiences.
  • Write and/or project manage large, organizationwide products.
  • Work collaboratively with policy team leads, functional teams, and various department managers, and fill in for other team managers as needed.
  • Work on the conception and execution of interactives, videos, and special projects related to edited reports and issue briefs.
  • Help conduct writing trainings with authors and editors.
  • Edit/update AmericanProgress.org and other American Progress websites.
  • Help maintain the style guide and its grammatical and style standards.
  • Help maintain accuracy and overall quality of publications.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • At least seven years of writing and editing experience, as well as management experience, with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to a general audience.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced journalistic environment and under time constraints.
  • Strong management skills to oversee a diverse team.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills, particularly the ability to give feedback and instructions clearly but diplomatically.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills, including a particular attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability and strong interest in training others, especially on writing best practices.
  • Strong project management and problem-solving capabilities, especially the ability to keep track of many small moving parts across several distinct projects.
  • Proficiency with AP Style and WordPress.
  • Experience with Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Trello, InDesign, Illustrator, and other production platforms is a plus.

American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is not represented by a union and has a minimum salary of $92,000.

American Progress’ hybrid work policy is posted on our Jobs page. Please visit this page for updates. Any changes to this policy will also be communicated at the time of hire.

APPLY NOW

This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress.

Additional information

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize the progressive agenda: the Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid-response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy, and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity is more than a commitment at American Progress—it is the foundation of what we do. American Progress recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, and all the other characteristics that make us unique.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org. For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaction.org.

For more information, or to apply, click here.