← All roles

Editor, Books Desk

The New York Times· Editing
Apply on company site
New York, NY$200k - $225kfull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

The New York Times seeks a visionary editor to lead its coverage of books, overseeing the Books desk, defining editorial strategy for The Book Review, and expanding coverage across formats while managing a high-performing team in a fast-paced digital newsroom.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the overarching editorial strategy for books coverage, balancing the authoritative, deeply analytical tradition of The Book Review with innovative, inviting and accessible digital offerings.
  • Ensure coverage reflects a wide, diverse range of voices, genres, backgrounds, and ideological perspectives, and reflects the broad world of publishing, from mainstream blockbusters to important literary and non-fiction works.
  • Oversee the selection of books to be reviewed, ensuring the Times remains the definitive voice in the literary world.
  • Direct high-profile projects, including the "10 Best Books of the Year," the "100 Notable Books," and develop new books franchises, in collaboration with our newly created modern canon team.
  • Produce aggressive coverage of the publishing industry, from the economics of bookselling and marketing to debates about writing, plagiarism, artificial intelligence, ideological disputes, marquee authors and more.
  • Collaborate with product, audio, video, and design teams to expand the Books desk’s footprint across formats (e.g., The Book Review Podcast, newsletters, interactive graphics, and social media platforms).
  • Use audience insights to understand reader behavior and optimize headline writing, packaging, and publishing schedules while maintaining editorial integrity.
  • Manage, mentor, and inspire a dedicated team of editors, staff critics, and reporters, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous growth.
  • 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.
  • Report to a Masthead Editor.

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of experience in journalism or cultural criticism
  • 5+ years in a significant leadership or managerial role within a major media organization.
  • Deep, comprehensive knowledge of the publishing industry, contemporary literature, publishing trends, and the cultural conversations surrounding books.
  • Proven experience leading digital transformations, with a sophisticated vision and understanding of audience engagement and digital storytelling.
  • Demonstrated exceptional editing skills, with the ability to sharpen complex critiques, elevate prose, and guide writers toward their best work under tight deadlines.
  • Experience successfully navigating complex, matrixed organizational structures.

Skills

Required:Editorial leadershipDigital storytelling

Benefits

  • For roles in the U.S., variable pay such as an annual bonus and restricted stock; benefits may include medical, dental and vision, F.S.A.s, company-matching 401(k), employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.
Last updated Sep 9, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
The New York Times logo

About The New York Times

Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos

Live news, investigations, opinion, photos and video by the journalists of The New York Times from more than 150 countries around the world.

newslive updateslatest newsbreaking newslocal newscurrent eventstop storieslivestream
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at The New York Times