Editor, Eater

Job Description

Eater is looking for an experienced reporter and editor to lead its Seattle city site, one of its marquee publications. The Eater Seattle editor guides day-to-day coverage of the site and its overall sensibility, including its mix of news stories, service-focused maps and guides, and features. They are responsible for audience growth and engagement as well as impact and relevance in the community. The editor will have the drive to continue Eater's reputation for furthering conversations about the restaurant industry and dining culture in Seattle. They have the ability to predict vs. react to the news cycle; features should proactively examine narratives that are unexpected and important to Seattle's food scene and the people within it. Stories should not all focus on one area or subject: the editor should have the range to cover the bar and hospitality industries, COVID policy changes, and labor and social justice stories. The role also includes assigning, editing, and packaging freelance pieces; taking ownership of high-touch service maps like the Eater 38; and scheduling/strategizing for social media and the Eater Seattle newsletter.

What you'll do:
• Have a vision of the food and restaurant culture in Seattle and Eater's place in it
• Edit and manage a small group of freelancers, and periodically recruit and develop new writers and contributors to ensure a diverse mix of voices reflecting the demographics of your city
• Oversee all of the site's content, including daily news, maps and service content, features, and other reporting
• Create and assign an editorial calendar incorporating news stories, service content, and reviews, including planning longer lead features, trend stories, and packages
• Oversee production and strategy for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and newsletters for Eater Seattle, keeping in line with Eater's standards
• Ensure all copy onsite is copy-edited and meets our style guide and editorial standards
• Ensure all posts are SEO optimized and that headlines meet our standards
• Track openings and develop sources including chefs, restaurateurs, relevant spokespeople, and alternative sources for coverage as needed
• Direct coverage of the unveiling crisis surrounding COVID-19 and its impact on the Seattle restaurant community
• Participate in cross-brand promotional efforts and collaboration with the national Eater.com team as communicated by other team managers when needed
• Occasionally appear on panels, radio, and other public appearance as appropriate for the brand

What you'll bring:
• Extensive experience in journalism, particularly in breaking daily news, developing sources, covering a beat, and editing other writers
• A vision for ambitious storytelling
• Comfort with cold calling and a sense of urgency surrounding the fast pace of digital news
• A drive to continue Eater's reputation as the number one source furthering the conversations about the restaurant world in your city.
• A drive to predict vs. react to the news cycle; an ability to create proactive vs. reactive narratives about the restaurant industry
• Attention to detail, news judgement, story packaging, and careful eye for accuracy
• Interest in digital headline writing, analytics, and social media publishing
• A love for restaurants and knowledge of the local scene and at the very least a voracious hunger to become an expert in the industry

Bonus points for:
• Experience covering business, real estate, the restaurant industry, or legal matters
• Experience with photography and article layout
• Experience with writing and/or editing long-lead, high-touch feature stories

This role is a part of the Vox Media Union, represented by the Writers Guild of America, East

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rnxe4k-3-141-244-201-42 in your application.