Executive Editorial Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Editorial Strategy at Georgetown University

Georgetown University is one of the United States' leading private research universities, with two campuses located in the nation's capital. The university's Hilltop Campus is situated in the historic Georgetown neighborhood, while the Capitol Campus is located near the United States Capitol and the Supreme Court.

By The Sustainability Grid Desk

Location Washington, D.C., United States

Type Full-Time, Hybrid

Salary USD 54,616 to USD 100,493.33 per year

Experience Mid to Senior Level, 6 to 8 years of relevant experience

Deadline Not specified

About the Company

Known for its strong academic tradition, global outlook, and commitment to social justice, Georgetown brings together scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to address some of society's most pressing challenges.

This position is based within the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality (GCPI), a research and policy center dedicated to advancing economic opportunity and strengthening public understanding of poverty, affordability, caregiving, and economic mobility.

The Opportunity

Georgetown University is seeking a Director of Editorial Strategy to help transform research, policy analysis, and lived experiences into compelling, accessible, and influential products.

This role sits at the intersection of public policy, communications, storytelling, research, and strategic engagement.

The successful candidate will work across the Center to develop editorial strategies that strengthen GCPI's ability to shape policy discussions, influence public conversations, and expand the reach of its research.

The position offers an opportunity to collaborate directly with researchers, policy experts, fellows, communications professionals, designers, developers, and external partners while helping translate complex policy issues into products that resonate with policymakers, media organizations, philanthropic institutions, advocacy groups, and the public.

What You'll Do

Develop and guide editorial strategies that strengthen the Center's ability to communicate research findings and policy recommendations effectively.

Identify opportunities to expand the reach and impact of publications and other communication products.

Content Development

Lead the development of publications, reports, educational materials, speeches, event materials, presentations, video explainers, and analytical tools.

Ensure that products are clear, persuasive, accessible, and aligned with the Center's mission.

Writing and Editing

Provide developmental editing to improve arguments, narrative flow, framing, structure, and clarity.

Transform technical, academic, and policy-heavy content into engaging products tailored to different audiences.

Policy Communication

Translate research on poverty, affordability, caregiving, housing, tax policy, public benefits, and economic opportunity into practical, people-centered communications.

Help ensure that research findings can be used effectively by policymakers, practitioners, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with the Executive Director, the Managing Director of Policy and Research, researchers, policy staff, fellows, and external contractors.

Collaborate with communications professionals, web developers, designers, and public relations partners to strengthen the Center's public engagement efforts.

Project Management

Manage multiple editorial projects simultaneously while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.

Coordinate workflows across teams to ensure that projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

Leadership

Provide supervision and guidance to staff members and students when necessary.

Support a collaborative culture that encourages innovation, learning, and high-quality editorial work.

Requirements Core Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Six to eight years of experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Journalism
• Public policy
• Communications
• Public relations
• Think tanks
• Advocacy
• Related professional fields

Technical Expertise

Strong editorial judgment.

Exceptional writing and editing abilities.

Experience translating complex policy and academic research into accessible content.

Knowledge of one or more of the following subject areas:

• Poverty
• Public benefits
• Caregiving
• Tax policy
• Housing
• Good jobs and economic opportunity

Experience developing publications, presentations, speeches, events, op-eds, educational materials, and other communication products.

Professional Strengths

• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong organizational abilities.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and identify patterns across multiple issue areas.
• Ability to work across disciplines and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Mindset Fit

• The ideal candidate will be:
• Strategic and analytical.
• Curious and collaborative.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments.
• Passionate about using research and storytelling to influence public policy.
• Experienced in discussing racial equity, structural barriers, and economic inequality with care, nuance, and sensitivity to language and lived experiences.
• Comfortable working within policy, think tank, media, advocacy, and philanthropic environments.

Georgetown University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Tuition assistance.
• Work-life balance benefits.
• Voluntary insurance options.

The university also provides professional development opportunities and encourages employee engagement through a variety of community programs.

How and Where We Work

This position has been designated as Hybrid.

Employees will split their time between remote work and on-campus responsibilities in Washington, D.C.

Georgetown University regularly reviews work mode designations to ensure they continue to meet institutional needs.

Why This Role Matters

Research alone rarely changes public policy.

The ability to transform evidence into compelling narratives often determines whether research influences legislation, public debate, philanthropy, and institutional decision-making.

The Director of Editorial Strategy will help bridge the gap between research and action by ensuring that complex policy ideas become clear, accessible, and persuasive products that can influence decision-makers and strengthen public understanding of poverty and economic inequality.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine policy, communications, storytelling, editorial leadership, and social impact within one of the United States' leading academic institutions.