Opinion Columnist Assistant

10 Hours ago • 1 Years + • $80,952 PA - $83,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

The New York Times Opinion section is seeking an editorial assistant to support columnists Bret Stephens and David French. This role requires strong organizational skills, digital experience, and a keen interest in foreign policy, politics, law, and religion. The ideal candidate will have a sharp eye for detail, a knack for identifying fresh arguments and good writing, excellent research abilities, and a commitment to accuracy and verification. Responsibilities include staying current on news, conducting research, verifying facts in draft columns and guest essays, writing summaries, managing social media posts, and assisting with clerical duties. The position also involves collaborating with the Opinion Audience team and demonstrating support for journalistic independence and the company's mission.
Must have:
  • 1+ years in journalism, research, fact-checking, or editing
  • Sharp eye for detail
  • Superb research skills
  • Familiarity with social media platforms
  • Interest in opinion journalism
  • Ability to dive into unfamiliar material on deadline
  • Discretion in handling sensitive material
Good to have:
  • Knowledge of Opinion's columnist roster
  • Familiarity with Times Style and ethics guidelines
  • Appreciation for opinion journalism
  • Understanding of the media landscape

Job Details

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for. 

The New York Times Opinion section is looking for an editorial assistant to support Times columnists Bret Stephens and David French. This is a great opportunity for someone who is organized, has digital experience and has broad-ranging news interests, with a special curiosity about foreign policy, politics, law and religion. 

The editorial assistant must have a sharp eye for detail; a sense of fresh arguments and good writing; superb research skills; a devotion to the highest standards of accuracy and verification; the ability to dive into unfamiliar material on deadline; discretion in handling sensitive editorial material; familiarity with multiple social media platforms; and an interest in opinion journalism. 

This is a hybrid position based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office each week per your departmental guidance.

To apply, in addition to your cover letter, please submit three writing samples. Please note the following:

  • We are looking for clips that demonstrate your ability to generate ideas, explain complex subjects or do original reporting.
  • We have a strong preference for published clips, but are open to receiving one unpublished writing sample. Articles from college or community newspapers count as published clips. 
  • If the writing sample does not contain your byline but you drafted large parts of it, please briefly explain your precise role. Similarly, if it is a joint byline, please explain your role.
  • Please do not send more than three writing samples and please do not send links. Please submit your samples in a PDF bundle, please do not send links.

Responsibilities:

  • Remain current on the news in coverage areas and suggest ideas for columns
  • Conduct research for the columnists
  • Verify the accuracy of the information contained in draft columns and occasional guest essays, and write summaries 
  • Post on multiple social media platforms and collaborate with the Opinion Audience team on deepening relationships with readers
  • Some clerical responsibilities
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world
  • You will report to Assistant Editor, Opinion Operations 

Basic Qualifications:

  • 1+ years in journalism, conducting research and fact-checking or text editing for published media
  • Flexibility to occasionally work weekends (2-3 hours) and evenings as column schedules or news cycle determine

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of Opinion's columnist roster and frequent contributors to the section
  • Familiarity with Times Style and the newspaper's standards and ethics guidelines
  • An appreciation for Opinion journalism and understanding of the broader media landscape

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-018469

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About The Company

At The Times, our mission is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. Having a diverse staff with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences is vital to ensuring we cover the world fully and fairly and offering products that have a wide appeal. Our vision is to become the essential subscription for every curious person seeking to understand and engage with the world. This work is supported by our journalists and a range of dedicated individuals, from data scientists to marketers, designers, engineers and more.

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