Senior Editor

The Atlantic

Senior Editor building The Atlantic’s membership-exclusive Book Club reading program. Selecting books, editing literary content, and leading author and subscriber events.

Posted 8/4/2026full-timeRemote • District of Columbia, New York, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $105,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong editorial judgment and a developed writerly voice, with extensive experience in editing and writing for magazines. Capable of building relationships within the literary community and leading engaging discussions while managing multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Editing ExperienceMagazine Writing FamiliarityEditorial JudgmentProject ManagementRelationship Building

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

EditingWritingCommissioningContent DevelopmentProject ConceivingBook Selection

Soft Skills

CuriosityCommunicationCollaborationAdaptabilityInterpersonal Skills

Industry Keywords

Literary CommunityPublishing TrendsBook ClubAuthor ConversationsReader Events

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Select and champion each Book Club title, defending choices that reflect The Atlantic's intellectual rigor and editorial ambitions
Commission and edit essays, interviews, and contextual pieces tied to Book Club selections
Write a monthly or bimonthly editor's note or introduction for each selection
Lead live and virtual author conversations and reader events, including Q&As and moderated discussions
Develop and maintain a pipeline of book prospects based on publishing schedules
Build trusted relationships with editors, agents, and publicists
Collaborate with Growth, Product, and Audience teams to shape Book Club presentation, packaging, and promotion
Represent The Atlantic in the broader literary community at festivals, book fairs, and industry gatherings
Contribute to The Atlantic's broader books and culture coverage

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least five years of editing and writing experience
Deep familiarity with magazine writing and its distinct characteristics
Well-developed point of view about fiction and nonfiction, with willingness to argue for it and openness to diverse views
Deep, informed curiosity about readers' debates and ability to anticipate future topics of discussion
Track record of conceiving, building, shipping, and improving ambitious projects or products
Familiarity with the breadth of publishing and interest in literary and technological trends affecting reading
Impeccable editorial judgment
Obsession with the written word and a developed stylish writerly voice
Desire and judgment to connect with people in person and online and represent The Atlantic across platforms
Ability to select accessible, substantial books worthy of serious attention
Interest in seeking established authors and emerging writers before broad recognition
Ability to work with the demanding pace and flexibility of a real-time news organization while meeting recurring deadlines
Willingness to work nights, early mornings, and weekends at times
Must complete reference checks
Must comply with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy and provide proof of vaccination status; accommodations may be requested for qualifying disability/medical contraindication or sincerely held religious belief

Benefits

Comp & perks

Remote candidates will be considered
Equal Opportunity Employer
COVID-19 vaccination policy, including subsequent boosters
Job offer contingent upon successful completion of reference checks