News Director

Pitchfork is the most trusted voice in music. Over the last 25 years, Pitchfork has defined how music is covered, leading The New York Times to call it “the most prominent brand in online music journalism” and TIME Magazine to recognize it as one of the world’s 50 best websites. In addition to being an ASME-winning publication, Pitchfork has developed a reputation for its live music activations, including the long-running Chicago’s Pitchfork Music Festival and Pitchfork Music Festival Paris. In 2015, Pitchfork was acquired by Condé Nast.

Job Description

Location:

New York, NY

Condé Nast is a global media company producing the highest quality content with a footprint of more than 1 billion consumers in 32 territories through print, digital, video and social platforms. The company’s portfolio includes many of the world’s most respected and influential media properties including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Self, GQ, The New Yorker, Condé Nast Traveler/Traveller, Allure, AD, Bon Appétit and Wired, among others. Condé Nast Entertainment was launched in 2011 to develop film, television and premium digital video programming.

The unit job description listed below includes job duties and responsibilities that are illustrative, not exhaustive, and is designed primarily to ensure proper classification for purposes of this Agreement. The parties acknowledge that the job description does not include every job duty and responsibility of the role, that the job description shall not restrict management’s right to assign new duties or responsibilities to the role, and that any duties or responsibilities listed in the job classification also may be performed by employees in other job classifications, at management’s discretion. The parties also acknowledge that employees in the role may be asked to perform certain operational tasks such as evaluating and/or meeting with candidates for open positions and/or assisting in the training or mentoring of colleagues.

News Director, Pitchfork

The News Director plans, oversees, and executes editorial strategy, workflow, and coverage for the News section. They also manage cross-site publishing during nights and weekends and liaise with senior editors on features or reviews assigning and editing tied to breaking news. They manage the placement of stories on the homepage, prepare News stories in the CMS, oversee social media posts for the News section, and manage schedules to ensure coverage. The News Director coordinates with editors in their own and other departments, and with fact-checkers, producers, art, and social media. News Directors supervise Associate Staff Writers and Staff Writers on designated news days. Media appearances may be requested due to the nature of work. 

Responsibilities

• Overseeing news section strategy, KPIs, and team scheduling alongside senior management 

• Supervising Associate Staff Writers, as well as Staff Writers on designated news days

• Supervising night/weekend news

• Managing cross-site publishing during nights and weekends

• Working with other senior editors and senior management on brand-wide projects

• Editing features, columns and lists as needed

• Liaising with senior editors on features or reviews assigning/editing tied to breaking news

• Assigning, researching, reporting, writing, editing, and fact-checking news stories

• Building and publishing posts in the content management system

• Optimizing news posts for SEO

• Posting on social media

• Gathering and editing images

• Handling corrections

• Managing the placement of stories on the homepage

• Coordinating with other departments, fact-checkers, producers, art, and social media

• Voting and writing for staff lists

• Writing and editing for other site sections as needed

• Occasional artist interviews or appearances for video or podcast projects as needed

Skills and Qualifications

• Experience writing and editing news on quick-turnaround deadline

• At least one year experience overseeing a team

• Active follower of current music news

• Ability to work independently

• Experience working with a content management system for publishing web content

• Ability to sustain a high level of care and meticulous attention to detail in a fast-paced

• environment

• Ability to self-motivate, meet deadlines, and take initiative to complete tasks both within

• and beyond the scope of duties

• Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain flexibility with

• shifting responsibilities

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to give and

• receive honest and direct feedback

• Willingness to be part of a close-knit team and thrive in a collaborative environment

• A knowledge of and interest in the history, style, and voice of Pitchfork

At Condé Nast, we value diversity of background, views, and cultures. We celebrate people for their personal qualities, their skills, and their contributions. And we recognize the power our brands have to influence and shape culture, catalyze action, and help make our world a better place for all. For more information, please visit condenast.com and follow @CondeNast and @CondeNastCareer on Twitter and @condenastcareers on Instagram.

Condé Nast is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status, and other legally protected characteristics.

The expected base salary range for this position is from $105,000-$110,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to relevant skills, training, experience, and education.

What happens next?

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply below, and we will review your application as soon as possible. You can update your resume or upload a cover letter at any time by accessing your candidate profile.

Condé Nast is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status and other legally protected characteristics.