Senior Digital Editor, Travel – National Geographic

Job Summary:

The Senior Digital Editor for Travel contributes to and executes National Geographic’s visually rich and scientifically sourced digital storytelling. This editing role makes data-informed content decisions that drive results by creating relevant, timely, and conversation-worthy content with a National Geographic lens across text and video platforms.

This senior editor will spearhead content creation from planning through publication, pitching content targeted for platform-specific audiences that meet acquisition goals. They will adhere to editorial standards that drive results by being selective about story assignments, intentional with story structure, and creative in experimentation to advance the digital content offering. They should be well-versed in the commercial travel space and have a keen understanding for how content is consumed on different digital platforms, and specifically how it should be optimized for Search and Social.

While this senior digital editor will be expected to collaborate with editors across the entire editorial operation to adhere to digital best practices, they serve as the expert on daily conversation in the Travel space.

Responsibilities:

1. Pitch and suggest framing for pitches at regularly scheduled pitch meetings.
2. Identify stories that align with each of our KPIs as well as what topic areas within Travel to experiment with.
3. Build and maintain freelance network of writers who have experience in the Travel space.
4. Participate in regular digital editorial pitch meetings throughout the week, being a leader in the conversation and executing on decisions made.
5. Work seamlessly with APL, our Travel content partners in the U.K., to set expectations for publishing on the O&O, organize coverage areas, write compelling headlines and frame stories that match performance takeaways.
6. Collaborate with the Digital Engagement Team to advance editorial Search strategy, craft headlines and new digital tactics to try.
7. Collaborate with the Editorial Newsletter team to drive unique visitors and engagement.
8. Regularly collaborate with the Social team on digital content ideas, as well as bigger digital projects in alignment with the Social team.
9. Meet weekly with Senior Manager of Digital Editorial for constant feedback on performance and what new topic areas or formats of which to experiment.
10. Coach junior editors on the digital team as necessary.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Minimum of 5 years of editorial experience in digital publishing.
2. A strong background in editing with a broad knowledge of search engine optimization and a proven track record of irresistible headline writing are musts.
3. Topical expertise and experience editing travel content across text and video platforms.
4. Engaging on-camera video skills.
5. Future-forward digital editing skills.
6. Experience using data-driving tools.
7. Ability to evolve story ideas out of brainstorms.
8. Ability to write digitally-optimized headlines and text.
9. Highly developed ability to recognize and create story ideas, including ideas with major visual and multimedia components.

Preferred Experience:

1. Experience with travel writing and editing.
2. Previous experience creating content for social media.
3. Keen sense of the competitive media landscape, tried tactics and industry trends.
4. Understanding of priorities and demands of a large umbrella company.
5. Proven patience working effectively within an ever-changing environment.

Required Education:

1. Bachelor’s Degree (concentration in journalism and digital media preferred).