Freelance Content Writing Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Travel Editor plays a lead role conceiving, assigning, and editing editorial travel content for National Geographic’s print and digital products, primarily National Geographic magazine and NationalGeographic.com. Working with an extensive roster of freelance writers and creators, he/she/they will develop ideas in a variety of forms and formats that can come to life effectively across platforms, with a particular focus on mid- to long-form narrative travel journalism with strong visual appeal. Additionally, the Senior Travel Editor will serve as editorial lead on developing and managing recurring travel series and franchises, including Best of the World, as well as on developing new and innovative approaches to our travel storytelling in formats like video and audio. He/she/they will play a key role representing the brand and its work at travel industry functions and events and with internal stakeholders and external brand partners. This is a great opportunity for an experienced travel editor to help a well-established brand in travel continue to evolve and modernize its approach to travel storytelling to effectively grow audience and engage them across multiple platforms.

• Conceive and pitch travel story ideas for National Geographic magazine and NatGeo.com in collaboration with freelance writers / creators.
• Commission, produce, edit, and prepare stories for publishing, working in collaboration with photo editors, designers, cartographers, infographics specialists, and digital producers.
• Define and shape our approach to narrative travel journalism, particularly as it comes to life in National Geographic magazine.
• Conceptualize, propose, and execute ideas for recurring travel series and franchises, particularly for digital and social platforms.
• Serve as lead editor on all installments of National Geographic’s annual Best of the World franchise, defining approach and components, soliciting ideas from internal and external collaborators, determine content for inclusion, and commission, edit, and prepare for publishing all associated materials, working in close collaboration with photo editors and video producers.
• Proactively develop and propose ideas for new approaches to travel storytelling across media types and platforms, including video and audio formats.
• Continually develop and expand our roster of freelance contributors, particularly writers as well as creators in the travel space.
• Collaborate with newsletter and social media editors on promotional and amplification efforts for travel content.
• Partner with sales and marketing on developing editorial ideas for partners/sponsors, both proactively and in response to requests for proposals.
• Partner with our UK travel publishing partner on editorial content development, with an eye to ensuring Nat Geo’s digital platforms have the appropriate mix of topics and geographies.
• Serve as key representative of National Geographic at industry event and functions, including public speaking as needed.
• Serve as media spokesperson for National Geographic and its travel content.
• Represent Nat Geo editorial and engage with internal stakeholders around cross-divisional brand initiatives spanning television, books, National Geographic Expeditions, and more.

• 5+ years of experience conceiving, assigning, and editing editorial content in a media (editorial/journalistic) environment, working across both print and digital platforms.
• Experience with print production processes and methodologies, and the craft of editing for print, along with experience in digital editing and production and its associated needs (e.g., SEO, tagging).
• Experience creating content for publishing and/or promotion in third-party platforms (e.g., newsletters, social media).
• Experience developing and executing multi-component packages and recurring franchises, and a track record of making content that attracts attention and generates PR coverage.
• Refined eye for visual presentation and an understanding of what makes stories work visually for print as well as digital and social.
• Strong knowledge of the travel industry and its facets and experience with travel journalism, including narrative storytelling.
• Well-developed network of creative collaborators, especially freelance writers, and a keen understanding of exceptional writing and propulsive first-person storytelling.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills and ability to present ideas fluently and with polish; experience with public speaking and/or media appearances strong preferred.
• Understanding of the evolving media landscape, including shifting consumer behaviors and preferences, and travel media and the overall competitive set for editorial content in the travel space.
• Collaborative spirit and the ability to work well across a matrixed environment.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure and within budget and deadline parameters.

• Experience developing and creating video-based content a plus.
• Knowledge of and experience collaborating with creators helpful but not required.
• Prior media training helpful but not required.
• Experience working within a large corporate environment.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Concentration in journalism or media helpful but not required.

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $95,500 to $128,000 per year and in New York, NY is $100,100 to $134,200 per year.

The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment: National Geographic

Primary Business: National Geographic (DET)

Primary Job Posting Category: Digital Content Editorial

Employment Type: Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code: Washington, DC, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code: USA - NY - 7 Hudson Square

Date Posted: 2026-07-22

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