Deputy Editor

Role x You

Help bring Refinery29’s editorial mission to life across site and social media, writing and editing to connect with our emergent audience in new, unexpected, and thoughtful ways. This role will work across all of Refinery29’s authority areas including Fashion, Beauty, Life, Unbothered, Somos, Shopping, and Entertainment and Gaming, and act as a brand guardian for all our editorial content, ensuring everything we publish hits our editorial standards.

Role x Team

Our staff produces empathetic, rigorous, and necessary journalism that informs, clarifies, entertains, and educates. We are a fast-paced digital brand. As such, our diverse staff has strong news instincts and solid reporting skills, and abide by the principles of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. The Deputy Editor will work closely with the vertical directors and Senior Director of Editorial to assign and edit content, working towards the company’s larger goals of reach and relevance. They will report to the Senior Director of Editorial.

In the short term you will…

• Write at least 1 originally reported story a week (exact number based on your manager’s discretion) that delivers sharp, inspiring, informational and humorous takes on the most compelling and emerging ideas, stories, brands, and conversations
• Assign and edit 1-3 stories a day (depending on complexity of the story), not only improving clarity and grammar, but working with the writer to sharpen their voice, fact-check their claims, and structure their piece in the most compelling way
• Work closely with your team in a 1:1 setting to help them improve as writers and editors, providing regular feedback on the consistent areas of improvement you see
• Gather insights and work closely with the content strategy, editorial, video, and audience development teams to apply them regularly across channels to ensure content reaches and serves the intended audience

After 6 months in this role you will…

• Help ideate and execute editorial packages and tentpoles cross-category, working with directors on at least one editorial package or tentpole a quarter
• Maintain a list of trusted freelancers and train them to write in the R29 voice across various topics
• Help grow and engage a community around your beat(s) on site, social and via experiential programming
• Help manage and spend budget with the editorial and social teams as well as external talent

And after a year you should be…

• Help maintain updated editorial best practices for tone, voice, and more, updating community guidelines when required
• Act as a brand ambassador for Refinery29
• When required, liaise with the commercial team to assist on how to turn our IP into custom or sponsored brand moments

Role and Responsibilities:

• Write and edit content for site and social across a wide range of topics and authority areas
• Lead and execute editorial packages and tentpoles where required
• Ensure our reporting implements the vision of senior editorial leadership and that our editorial strategy is aligned with our larger business, operations, and content strategies
• Help guide and enforce Refinery29’s editorial mission across all verticals by working with directors on content strategic journalistic initiatives
• Help oversee an annual budget (maximizing spend for results and aligning to OKRs), freelance contracts, and liaise with legal
• Use performance insights to analyze the performance of output to drive content programming decisions and improve the quality of work
• Staying up to date on cultural zeitgeist conversations — attending industry events and meeting with industry experts. We want this person to constantly be on the pulse, discovering big trends before they hit the mass market.
• Keep abreast of all industry news and updates across platforms and their technologies that might affect performance
• Be an enthusiastic member of the team, continuously offering fresh ideas and pitches

You have these:

• 7+ years of relevant experience in a digital newsroom
• Strong knowledge of reporting and journalistic processes, sound content judgment, and an understanding of the types of content that resonates with audiences across various platforms 
• Willingness and ability to use data to inform decisions
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to switch between long-term and short-term projects
• Experience working directly with freelance writers
• Outstanding creative ideas, copywriting skills and sound editorial judgment 
• Strong leadership, communication, and management skills and ready to adapt to an ever-changing environment and industry
• A love and an eye for Refinery29's aesthetic is a must! 
• In agreement with journalistic principles and ethics to maintain your personal editorial independence

We’d love if you also have these:

• College Degree Preferred 
• Energized working in a fast-paced, high volume operation
• Collaborative and open to feedback in pursuit of constantly pushing content to new heights
• A highly creative mindset and a knowledge of fashion, beauty, and social media trends

ABOUT REFINERY29

Refinery29 is the leading media and entertainment destination focused on women and underrepresented voices. Through a wide spectrum of lifestyle stories, original video programming, social, shareable content, and experiences, Refinery29 provides its global audience with the inspiration and tools to discover and pursue a more independent and informed life. Refinery29 is part of Sundial Media Group (SMG), a division of the Sundial Group of Companies. 

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 USD. The salary range is subject to change and may be amended in the future. Experience, education, skills, and other factors are considered when determining the salary offered.

Agencies: 

Refinery29 is not partnering with agencies nor accepts unsolicited resumes and will not be responsible for any fees or expenses related to such unsolicited resumes and/or applicants.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Refinery29 is an equal opportunity employer. We view everyone as an individual, and we understand that inclusion is more than just diversity – it’s about belonging. We celebrate the fact that everyone is unique, and that’s what makes us so good at what we do. We pride ourselves on being a company that embraces difference and truly represents the global clients we work with.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please let us know by contacting HR@refinery29.com. We will work together to best meet your needs.