Vice President, Executive Editor

Job Description

The VP, Executive Editor leads the development and management of content across National Geographic's diverse topic areas and story types, with a particular focus on text-based content that appears in our print, digital, and social platform.

She/he/they oversee the creation of National Geographic's special products-Nat Geo Kids, Little Kids, History, and bookazines-while playing a pivotal role on all content creation for National Geographic magazine and NatGeo.com.

Leading an internal team of text editors and a network of external writers, the Executive Editor crafts both the direction and the execution of our storytelling from inception to completion, ensuring that both our underlying reporting and our stylistic verbal expression meets National Geographic's standards and advances our commitment to innovative, best-in-class work. Reporting to the Editor in Chief and collaborating closely with other members of the editorial leadership team, they will work to develop holistically conceived, multi-platform projects, including new franchises and special packages; ambitious longform, multimedia features; text-based extensions of visual-led stories; and more.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a strategic and creative leader to have a lasting impact on a storied brand during a period of evolution and modernization. Come join us!

Required Qualifications & Skills:
• Manage in-house editors and writers in all aspects of editorial content creation, evaluating story ideas to determine story selection, guiding coverage plans and contributor selection by story, partnering with visual teams and others on how stories will come to life, and ensuring work is done within budget and on time
• Evaluate and shape story ideas developed in other parts of the editorial team, including from photo editors, graphics editors, cartographers, designers, digital specialists, and integrated storytelling, and manage the use of text editors and writers on these projects
• Oversee the shaping and preparation of content for publication across all relevant platforms, managing other editors in their work, reading and (when necessary) doing additional text editing and/or writing display copy, giving feedback on photo edits and layouts, and partnering with operational leads on timelines
• Develop and edit your own pieces and projects, with a focus on ambitious longform literary reportage and multi-component content packages, particularly franchises and special issues, managing project teams and external contributors to conceptualize and complete
• Establish standard processes for editorial content creation and multi-platform publishing, and guide teams in their use, continually optimizing what we do and how we do it based on performance data and industry and consumer trends
• Liaise with business partners-sales and marketing as well as external clients-on the development of editorial content programs that generate sponsorship or other revenue opportunities
• 12+ years of conceptualizing, commissioning, and editing text content for publishing and distribution across both print and digital platforms at consumer editorial brands, with deep hands-on experience developing complex editorial packages
• Extensive experience proactively developing, commissioning, and editing narrative-driven, literary reportage features over long lead times
• Extensive experience managing and mentoring other editors and writers in progressively larger teams, guiding story development and making decisions on story selection, overseeing preparation for publishing, and reviewing content for quality
• An established personal network of well-regarded writers and other collaborators with whom you develop and implement content
• A well-developed eye for visual presentation and story packaging across print and digital platforms, and experience collaborating with visual editors and designers on visual-led storytelling
• Experience developing notable, successful editorial franchises and PR-worthy content for consumer media brands
• Experience building and managing strong editorial teams
• Proficiency in publishing tools (e.g., Adobe InCopy/InDesign) and digital CMS
• Collaborative spirit and an ability to work well in a matrixed environment with a variety of collaborators
• Ability to work efficiently within operational considerations (timing, budgets, etc.), prioritizing effort level and tasks across multiple projects, and managing teams to deliver excellence within specific requirements
• Interest in National Geographic's subject areas and its mission

National Geographic Content is devoted to illuminating the wonder of our world and inspiring people to protect it through our storytelling across platforms, including television and film in linear and streaming, print and digital experiences, and social media, where we have more followers than any other brand in the world. The National Geographic Editorial team is responsible for engaging both new and existing audiences through the creation and distribution of best-in-class content for our magazines (National Geographic, National Geographic Kids and Little Kids, National Geographic History, and single-topic newsstand specials), digital platforms (NationalGeographic.com and our app), and social accounts. We work across all media types, including photography, video, text, graphics and data visualization, cartography, and interactive digital experiences. Our primary aim is to use our storytelling to drive growth in followers, engaged newsletter audiences, subscribers, and loyal users who stay with us because they love how we inspire, entertain, and inform them.

About Disney Entertainment Television:

Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the company's streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, ABC Signature and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television's creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2023, Disney Entertainment Television's programming excellence earned 163 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, and children's & family categories.

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

National Geographic Partners PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rbz3p6-3-137-198-232-42 in your application.