Editor-at-Large, Opinion

About the Role

The New York Times Opinion team is looking for a senior editorial leader to guide its coverage of artificial intelligence, one of the most transformative developments of the era. The position calls for someone with strong grounding in intellectual history, public policy, and narrative journalism who can shape work that looks beyond the headlines and explains how AI is changing society, work, and human life.

The right candidate will bring the judgement of a seasoned long-form editor together with the pace and decisiveness needed to manage prominent columnists and help set a department-wide editorial direction.

This role is based in New York City and requires working in the office four days per week, with some flexibility to work from home depending on departmental guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and drive Opinion’s multi-platform editorial plan for AI, focusing on the most urgent ethical, political, and economic questions raised by new technologies.
• Assign, develop, and edit ambitious reported pieces, long-form features, and essays that place the AI shift in historical context while also examining where it may lead next.
• Work closely with graphics, multimedia, and audience teams to create inventive digital formats that make technical and philosophical material engaging and understandable.
• Oversee and edit a roster of columnists and contributing writers, offering close support on voice, structure, and the strength of their arguments.
• Find and bring in guest essayists and fresh recurring contributors with specialist knowledge in technology, ethics, and the future.
• Lead writers in sharpening their viewpoints so that every commentary piece reflects intellectual integrity and strong literary craft.
• Uphold the newsroom’s commitment to independence and its larger mission of helping readers understand the world through trustworthy journalism.
• Report to the Opinion Editorial Director.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in senior editorial positions at a major national publication.
• A strong record of editing complex, ideas-led journalism and well-known writers.
• The ability to turn technical information into clear, engaging stories for broad audiences.
• Deep interest in the overlap of technology and public policy, along with a solid network of thinkers and practitioners working in AI.
• Experience leading large editorial projects from early concept through publication.
• Strong understanding of the digital media environment and a commitment to high editorial standards.

Preferred Experience

• Background working with data journalists and visual editors on interactive or data-focused explainers that make abstract AI ideas concrete for general readers.
• Evidence of helping grow the next generation of editors and writers while encouraging curiosity and meticulous fact-checking.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual base salary for this position is $160,000 to $180,000 USD. Depending on the role, U.S.-based employees may also be eligible for variable compensation such as an annual bonus and restricted stock.

Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts, a company-matching 401(k), paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and professional development programs. For roles outside the U.S., benefit details are shared during the interview process.

Application and Hiring Notes

Applicants are expected to submit their own work and should not use generative AI tools to create substantive material for the application or interview process. If you apply for an engineering position, you will be told which AI tools may be used for the technical assessment.

The company is committed to equal opportunity hiring, reasonable accommodations where required by law, and fair consideration for candidates with criminal histories under applicable fair chance laws. It also warns applicants to watch for fraudulent postings and to use only official career channels for legitimate opportunities.

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