National Education Editor

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post is looking for a rigorous and innovative journalist to be our national education editor, guiding coverage of K-12 and higher education across the country at a time of heated cultural and political debate in classrooms, at school board meetings and on college campuses.

This editor, who will lead a team of reporters and will report to the deputy National editor, will shepherd illuminating and agenda-setting coverage of schools, student loan policies, curriculum debates, campus culture and other national education topics. We expect this editor to juggle breaking news with short- and longer-term accountability and enterprise stories, while leading reporters to the most urgent targets in this vital and competitive coverage area. The ideal candidate will have a track record of executing high-impact stories about sensitive topics with authority, clarity, fairness and grace.

Responsibilities:

Drive enterprising daily and long-term news, accountability and feature coverage of national education issues.

Manage and mentor reporters. Help them conceive of ambitious ideas, set priorities for their reporting and hone their craft.

Edit stories to the highest standards. Sharpen and elevate copy on deadline while also ensuring fairness, rigor, precision and excellence in story framing.

Make sound decisions about sourcing issues, story construction and other editorial matters.

Collaborate and work collegially with other editors on the National desk and with teams across the newsroom to provide the most timely, comprehensive and visually dynamic coverage.

Optimize stories for digital success and embrace creative storytelling to identify the most compelling formats to engage our readers.

Preferred qualifications:

At least five years of professional journalism experience and a track record of editing or reporting with distinction.

Experience covering major, long-running breaking news stories, pursuing accountability targets and developing creative conceptual ideas for text and other formats.

Exceptional communication and organizational skills.

A vision for high-impact and engrossing coverage of education and its intersection with politics and culture at this unique moment in America.

Supervisory experience and a background in education coverage are plusses but not required.

This position is based in our Washington newsroom.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter outlining their vision for the role to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Feb. 16 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Deputy National Editor Amy Fiscus, National Editor Philip Rucker and Managing Editor Matea Gold.

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

Nine paid holidays and two personal days

20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

Robust mental health resources

Backup care and caregiver concierge services

Gender affirming services

Pet insurance

Free Post digital subscription

Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.