Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is looking to hire a highly experienced, resourceful and well-connected Features Editor to lead our Features team and help shape our content strategy. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commissioning and editing top-tier feature content, a solid track record in a similar role, and an impressive list of contacts in the freelance journalism world. You will need to know exactly whom to call when a big story breaks and who can produce the most compelling, in-depth analysis of key events in our regions.
The role requires someone who can not only recognize the stories that will resonate with audiences but also proactively come up with ideas that will help us grow the credibility and reputation of our site. We’re looking for someone who is a self-starter, can work under their own steam, and has the editorial instincts to commission engaging feature pieces that stand out. Your industry connections and ability to tap into the right freelancers are critical, as you’ll be expected to deliver the very best content, often on tight deadlines.
What you will accomplish:
- Lead a Prague-based team of staff Feature Writers.
- Proactively commission insightful and engaging features from a network of expert freelance journalists, both in advance of significant events and in response to breaking news.
- Utilize high-profile contacts to bring in exclusive content and expert analysis from seasoned freelance journalists with deep knowledge of our regions.
- Work closely with the editorial planning team to shape the features content strategy as well as with the On-The-Day Desk, Impact Hub and other departments to suggest diary and long-term feature ideas and ‘evergreen’ regional explainers etc.
- Develop fresh ideas and angles for feature content, focusing on underreported stories and unique perspectives that reflect our mission and resonate with our readers.
- Adapt features for a digital-first platform, incorporating multimedia elements and optimizing for SEO and audience engagement. Guide junior journalists and support other producers in executing their projects.
- Monitor performance analytics to understand audience engagement with video content and refine production strategies accordingly.
- Edit and elevate feature content and lead teams ensuring the strictest editorial values are maintained on clarity, depth, engagement, accuracy, fairness and impartiality in line with RFE/RL standards.
- Be ‘on-call’ for important, breaking news events as required.
- If required, write or edit text stories and features.
What you bring:
- Minimum 7 years of journalism experience in feature writing, editing, or commissioning, ideally in a newsroom or media organization focused on international affairs.
- 5+ years of management experience.
- Proven track record in a similar editorial role, with responsibility for commissioning, planning, and delivering high-quality feature content from a wide range of freelance contributors.
- Extensive experience managing freelancers, with a demonstrated ability to engage and maintain a diverse and talented pool of writers, particularly those with deep expertise in our regions.
- Network Building: Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate and leverage relationships with a wide range of freelancers, ensuring timely delivery of content, often under tight deadlines.
- Strong industry connections, with a substantial list of high-profile contacts in the freelance journalism world, enabling you to quickly bring in expert writers when needed.
- Digital-first newsroom experience, including working with multimedia content, SEO optimization, and driving audience engagement through online platforms and social media.
- Experience in international journalism and a strong understanding of the socio-political and cultural contexts of the regions we cover (Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Near East).
- Commissioning Expertise: Ability to identify, engage, and manage top-tier freelance journalists with specialized knowledge in relevant fields, ensuring a steady stream of high-quality, engaging content.
- Editorial Judgment: Strong instincts for the types of stories that will resonate with target audiences, with a particular focus on underreported or complex issues that need clear, compelling storytelling.
- Strategic Thinking: A forward-thinking approach to content planning, anticipating upcoming news events and proactively commissioning features that reflect our editorial priorities and mission.
- Creative Initiative: Ability to generate fresh and original story ideas independently, contributing to the broader editorial strategy by suggesting new angles, topics, or formats.
- Time Management: Efficiently juggle multiple projects, ability to commission pieces in advance, and respond quickly to breaking news, ensuring timely delivery of relevant content.
- Digital Competency: Proficiency with digital publishing tools, social media platforms, and SEO.
- Strong Communication: Articulate with clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Fluency in English is mandatory, at least one other RFE/RL language is highly desirable.
We Offer:
- A highly diverse international work environment (60+ nationalities).
- An organization not driven by profit but by a very important mission: Freedom of the press.
- Exceptional benefits package.
- Annual base salary ranging from $131,737 to $197,605.
The application process includes uploading a current CV and cover letter, in English, explaining how your background is applicable to our open role and your interest in the position. Applicants must include their annual salary expectations for this role in their cover letter.
RFE/RL's mission is to promote democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened, and disinformation is pervasive. RFE/RL reports the facts, undaunted by pressure.
To learn more about us please refer to our web pages: www.rferl.org
Should you be interested in this position please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter in English.
Appointment against this post is on a D.C. basis only. Candidates for these positions must reside within commuting distance of Washington D.C., or be willing to relocate. In some cases, if selected for a D.C.-based position from another part of the United States, RFE/RL would cover the costs of interview travel and relocation upon appointment. RFE/RL offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
Note: In response to changing operational requirements, RFE/RL retains the discretion not to make an appointment, or to modify the job specifications for a particular vacancy.
By replying to this advertisement or sending your CV and/or other personal data to RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, you are agreeing to having your data saved and managed by employees of the HR department of the company for possible future reference in full accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) GDPR and Act No 110/2019 Coll., on personal data processing. This agreement may only be withdrawn by a written revocation and remains valid until that date. However no longer than 5 years.
Odpovědí na tento inzerát či zasláním Vašeho životopisu a případných dalších osobních materiálů do společnosti RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty dáváte souhlas ke zpracování a uchování Vašich osobních údajů dle Nařízení Evropského parlamentu a Rady (EU) 2016/679 ze dne 27. dubna 2016 o ochraně fyzických osob v souvislosti se zpracováním osobních údajů a o volném pohybu těchto údajů a o zrušení směrnice 95/46/ES (obecné nařízení o ochraně osobních údajů), dále jen GDPR a zákona č. 110/2019 Sb., o zpracování osobních údajů. Tento souhlas platí až do jeho odvolání písemnou formou, maximálně však po dobu 5 let.
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