Food Editor
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a public benefit corporation owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Together, we’re at the center of a critical mission to create a lasting future for ambitious, engaging, and useful local journalism. We’re doing this, in part, by deepening our connection with the communities we serve. Our integrated digital and print platforms are the Philadelphia region’s largest media network. We’re passionate about building a sustainable model for indispensable local journalism, and we take pride in finding diverse, dynamic, and talented individuals to help push our team forward.
Food Editor
Job Summary
The Philadelphia Inquirer is looking for an innovative and ambitious Food Editor to oversee digital and print coverage. Our ideal candidate is an emerging or established leader who is able to champion our reputation as the best source of food coverage in one of the world’s greatest food cities. We’re seeking someone with ambition and vision, who wants to spotlight both James Beard winning chefs and the beloved neighborhood greasy spoon, and who is dedicated to making sure Philadelphians never eat a bad meal.
About Us:
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a public benefit corporation owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Together, we’re at the center of a critical mission to create a lasting future for ambitious, engaging, and useful local journalism. We’re doing this, in part, by deepening our connection with the communities we serve. Our integrated digital and print platforms are the Philadelphia region’s largest media network. We’re passionate about building a sustainable model for indispensable local journalism, and we take pride in finding diverse, dynamic, and talented individuals to help push our team forward.
What You’ll Do
Our Food vertical is yours to lead. We’re looking for an editor who will become an integral part of this city’s food community, spearhead ambitious and exciting content that delights and informs readers, use data and analytics to measure your success at building a devoted audience, , lead events and work hand-in-hand with product, marketing and other Inquirer teams.
You’ll manage our Food coverage team, including our restaurant critic and staff writers, as well as a stable of freelancers. The mission: find innovative and exciting ways to cover all aspects of food culture in the city, from great new BYOs to labor innovations changing the way our food is made, to breaking news about a suburban favorite closing down. You’ll be on top of food and dining developments and trends, locally and nationally. You’ll be adept at identifying areas where food intersects with culturally critical topics such as immigration, gentrification and identity.
Our ideal Food Editor has something to say.
In addition to what’s listed above, core duties include:
Owning digital strategy and performance for our Food team. Evaluating and executing digital strategy to ensure that our copy both reflects how Philadelphia eats and serves readers what they want.
Adapting Food’s workflow and editorial approach to new products, like apps, newsletters, video series and more.
Managing tentpole projects, from development to execution, working with marketing, sales, digital and audience teams.
Working directly with reporters, assigning stories, line editing and setting priorities
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for an experienced food editor/writer with strong leadership skills, who can hone our coverage and ensure our strong editorial talent is reaching the broadest possible audience. To do that, you’ll need deep expertise and contacts in the world of food and drink, both home cooking and dining out, in Philadelphia and beyond.
Just as important is a willingness and ability to run through walls on behalf of your projects. We want a food coverage lead who is determined, self-motivated and entrepreneurial.
Experience as an editor; food writing or editing experience.
An advanced understanding of how to shape content to reach digital audiences, and a willingness to revise that understanding based on audience trends, analytics, and broader content strategy.
An ability to juggle projects on multiple platforms -- and understanding how audiences differ on each one.
Eager to engage with our communities through public events and other appearances.
A track record of taking ideas -- yours and your teammates' -- from concept to completion.