Freelance Content Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

To help us do this essential work, The New York Times is hiring a Director, Communications Content & Creative Operations. This is a high-impact role responsible for developing and running the operational architecture of the communications team's content and creative studio. You will oversee the end-to-end content production lifecycle in close collaboration with our communications, brand, storytelling, newsroom and creative teams.

You are a seasoned professional who balances strategy with execution. You will build and run the systems that empower our content and creative teams, manage institutional projects, and cultivate a premier network of external content, creative and operational talent. You have an eye for AI automation and excel at designing and implementing long-term operational improvements while staying engaged in the daily execution details. You are a solutions-oriented professional with exceptional judgment who earns trust through adaptability and a proven ability to deliver results in quick changing environments.

This is a hybrid role based in our New York City headquarters, reporting to the Managing Director of Communications Operations. You can typically expect to come into the office 3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

Content and Creative Pipeline Development and Implementation

• Design, implement and run the communications team's content and creative pipeline to ensure seamless workflows between the communications, brand, storytelling, creative teams and their stakeholders.
• Build and maintain the digital infrastructure and tools necessary to track content development and production, prioritizing AI implementation where possible.
• Lead the teams through the adoption of new platforms and processes, prioritizing and ensuring that our content and creative teams are empowered by operational structures.
• Establish metrics for success, building reports that analyze project outcomes and identify areas for future improvement.
• Collaborate with executive stakeholders to align the content and creative pipeline with broader business goals and brand messaging.

Program Management

• Direct the planning and implementation of complex, cross-functional programs that require a sophisticated understanding of institutional goals.
• Establish metrics for success and build comprehensive after-action reports to identify areas for future improvement.
• Anticipate bottlenecks and resource gaps, providing guidance to keep high-priority initiatives on track.

Freelancer Recruitment, Support, and Management

• Develop and lead a comprehensive strategy for the recruitment and onboarding of freelance talent to support our content and creative needs.
• Build impactful, collaborative relationships with external partners, ensuring they are integrated into the Times' culture and mission.
• Oversee the systems that support the freelancer lifecycle, including contract management, resource allocation, and performance feedback.
• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of direct work experience in program management, creative operations, marketing operations, communications operations within a media or technology environment.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale, multidisciplinary processes and influencing stakeholders at the executive level.
• Mastery of digital content platforms, project management software, and data reporting tools.
• Experience distilling complex operational challenges into actionable strategies.
• Expertise in working under pressure and managing high-volume portfolios with conflicting timelines.
• Maintain rigorous quality control across all project stages, catching inconsistencies in copy, design, and production specs before they reach stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in the content and creative processes and design craft, with a desire to build systems and workflows that help teams do their best work. 
• Experience managing video production projects, including coordinating across directors, editors, motion designers, and external vendors to deliver on time and on budget. 
• BA/BS degree required.
• Deep passion for the future of news, media, and the role of independent journalism in society.
• Experience in a global organization with a focus on both digital and in person creative and content production.
• Experience or interest in AI platforms and optimizing workflows to take advantage of them.

#LI-Hybrid 

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