Houston Editor (Temporary)
Eater is looking for an experienced reporter and editor to temporarily lead its Houston city site, one of its marquee publications. The Eater Houston temporary 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 temporary editor will have the drive to continue Eater’s reputation for furthering conversations about the restaurant industry and dining culture in Houston. 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 Houston newsletter.
Who We Are
Eater, the national food publication with outlets across the country, is at the forefront of reporting on the restaurant industry, shaping food culture with its award-winning journalism and programming, and telling people where to eat with its beloved maps and guides.
Eater is part of Vox Media, the leading modern media company. We guide our audience from discovery to obsession. We inspire essential conversations about what’s now, what’s next, and what’s possible.
As a community of journalists and storytellers, business professionals, creators and technologists, we believe it is a moral and business imperative to amplify voices: to cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization and media. This applies to our candidates, our teams, our storytelling, our creative work, and our platforms, products, and partnerships.
What You’ll Do
Have a vision of the food and restaurant culture in Houston and Eater’s place in it
Write or assign out and edit all of the site’s content, including daily news, maps and service content, features, and other reporting
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
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 Houston, keeping in line with Eater's standards
Ensure all copy 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
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 appearances as appropriate for the brand
Who You Are
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 predict vs. react to the news cycle; an ability to create proactive vs. reactive narratives about the restaurant industry
Attention to detail, news judgment, story packaging, and a 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
If you think you have what it takes, but don't meet every single point in our job posting, please apply with a cover letter to let us know how you believe you can bring your unique skills to the Vox Media team or get in touch! We would love to have a chat and see if you could be a great addition to our team. We’ve hired chefs who became editors, DJs who became UX designers, and sommeliers who became writers.