Editor-in-Chief, CNET

Description

Position at Consumer Tech

The Opportunity:

CNET, part of the Ziff Davis portfolio, is looking for an inspired editorial leader to run and grow the most longstanding and well-respected tech publishing brand as it doubles down on consumer technology content in the age of AI.

You are: an experienced, high-energy and ambitious editorial thinker who is passionate about tech and the impact it has on a broad audience. You’re ready to crack the nut of publishing on the modern Internet with your knack for organic audience connection and growth. You’re a player-coach who likes to work alongside other smart leaders, and you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and collaborate on new ideas. You have a well-honed news sense, you’re a powerful on-camera and speaking presence and you have deep experience connecting with readers on all platforms. You like to roll up your sleeves with a large and geographically diverse team, leading by example both in and out of the newsroom.

You’re also a nerd who likes to understand, deeply, how technology works and how to recommend products and services to an audience. You must be comfortable communicating and creatively collaborating with commercial and sales teams as well as setting unambiguous church/state guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Content Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive content strategy that positions CNET, over the course of the next 12 months, to lead public discourse on AI tools, consumer technology choices and the tech landscape writ large. Goals include audience growth, audience retention, and brand awareness and loyalty.
• Editorial Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of accomplished editors, writers, and contributors. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, encouraging creativity, career growth and high standards of journalistic excellence. Model and cultivate collaboration with teams across the organization.
• Content Creation: Oversee the creation, editing, and publishing of high-quality articles, reviews, news stories, features, and multimedia content, collaborating with peers in video and audience teams.
• Data and Commerce Journalism: You must have vision and authority on creating the next generation of buying advice formats and approaches. You will establish new and creative ways to evaluate consumer tech hardware and software to provide standout, helpful buying advice. You will also have interest and insight into the logistics and opportunity around labs-based testing and data-informed storytelling.
• News Muscle: You will train your team to engage and build their reporting skills with an eye to speed and a knack for finding unique stories in a crowded landscape.
• Unique Voice: Develop and grow the brand’s unique voice, which will differentiate CNET from competitors and establish frequent, direct visits to the site and its presence across diverse platforms. Ensure content is consistent in tone, style, and branding.
• Audience Engagement: Understand the CNET audience’s needs and preferences. Use analytics and feedback to refine content strategies, enhance reader engagement, and establish new growth patterns. You must know – but not rely on – SEO best practices and be comfortable leveraging social media, newsletters and other tactics to drive growth.
• Collaboration with Revenue Teams: Work closely with commercial and sales teams to ensure content aligns with the organization's monetization strategy. Build and maintain relationships with industry experts, influencers, and partners.

Job Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of editorial experience in tech media, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role, ideally within professional media.
• Proven track record leading an editorial team and significantly growing traffic and audience, ideally outside the search environment
• Strong editorial and news judgment and writing/editing skills
• Prior experience with news and/or product reviews workflows, ideally both
• Ability to lead and inspire a diverse team across geographic and remote locations
• Excellent understanding of SEO, the AI overview landscape, and audience development on multiple platforms
• Proficiency with content management systems (CMS) and analytics tools
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Personal Attributes:
• Passion for technology and respect for a broad audience
• Creative thinker with a strategic mindset
• Exceptional communication, leadership and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to both editorial rigor and economic success

About CNET

CNET is a trusted digital media publication that provides expert news, reviews and analysis on consumer technologies, services and trends to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. For nearly 30 years, CNET’s team of editors, reporters and content creators has delivered expert product reviews, how-to guides, videos and articles that help consumers make informed decisions about technology-related purchases and stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

Our Benefits

CNET, part of Ziff Davis, offers competitive salaries in addition to robust, health and wellness-focused benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life and disability benefits. Our employees enjoy Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), a 401(k) with company match, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

We are committed to work-life balance with Flexible Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, and paid holidays. We offer family building and caregiving support and generous Family Care and Parental leave, when you need it. We also provide Fitness Reimbursement and access to wellness programs, ensuring our team stays healthy both physically and mentally.

At Ziff Davis, we remain dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We offer Employee Resource Groups, company-sponsored events, and regular opportunities for professional growth through educational support, mentorship programs, and career development resources. Our employees are recognized and celebrated through employee engagement programs and recognition awards.

If you're seeking a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance and thrive both personally and professionally, then CNET is the place for you.

Compensation Range

Ziff Davis provides a range for the base pay. Factors that may be used to determine your actual pay may include your specific job related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. The salary compensation range for this role is $200,000 - $230,000 plus commensurate annual bonus. Individual pay within the compensation range for this business unit specific role is determined based on a variety of factors including experience, scope of the role, capabilities to perform the role, education and training, as well as business and company performance.

Ziff Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Ziff Davis, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has always been about fairness, equal opportunity, and belonging. We are committed to maintaining a safe and professional work environment for all employees.

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