Government Editor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

We're on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you'll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

The Washington Post is seeking an ambitious, collaborative and deeply knowledgeable editor to lead coverage of economic policy and the forces shaping the U.S. economy from Washington.

This editor will oversee a team of reporters covering economic policy at the White House, Congress, Federal Reserve and the broader economy, guiding journalism that helps readers understand how decisions in Washington ripple through businesses, markets and households across the country. The coverage spans federal spending, the labor force, trade, regulation, inflation and the changing relationship between government and the economy.

We are looking for an editor with exceptional news judgment, strong conceptual and line-editing skills and a deep understanding of economics and public policy. The ideal candidate thrives on helping reporters break news, pursue ambitious enterprise and explain complicated subjects with clarity and authority. This editor will be equally comfortable driving fast-paced daily coverage and shaping longer-term accountability and explanatory journalism.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.

What Motivates You:

• You are driven to explain how economic policy affects people's lives.

• You enjoy helping reporters break news and develop ambitious enterprise.

• You are fascinated by the intersection of economics, politics and power.

• You thrive in a competitive, fast-moving newsroom.

• You are energized by collaboration and developing journalists.

How You'll Support the Mission:

• Lead and edit coverage of economic policy, related federal agencies and the relationship between government and the U.S. economy.

• Guide reporters covering the institutions shaping economic policy.

• Help identify and drive agenda-setting coverage, balancing breaking news, accountability reporting, explanatory journalism and enterprise.

• Edit stories to the highest standards, sharpening reporting, framing and writing while ensuring accuracy, fairness and clarity.

• Develop reporters, helping them build sourcing, identify ambitious targets and strengthen their storytelling.

• Work closely with editors across the Politics & Government department and other parts of the newsroom to execute comprehensive coverage of major economic developments.

• Partner with Visuals and Content Strategy teams to produce visually compelling, digitally optimized journalism tailored to a variety of platforms.

• Use audience insights and performance data to inform strategy while maintaining a strong commitment to editorial excellence.

• Help identify storytelling formats and opportunities to engage readers around complex economic topics.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:

• A strong track record of editing high-impact journalism on economics, business, public policy or politics.

• Exceptional editorial judgment and the ability to shape both breaking news and ambitious enterprise.

• Deep understanding of economic policy and the institutions that shape the U.S. economy.

• Experience managing reporters and helping them produce distinctive, agenda-setting journalism.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

• A demonstrated ability to explain complex topics in ways that are accessible and engaging.

• Familiarity with audience data and digital publishing strategies.

• A commitment to accuracy, fairness and the highest standards of journalism.

Interested candidates should upload a resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and vision for the role to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Aug. 2 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Editor, Politics & Government Jennifer Liberto, Politics & Government Editor Nick Baumann and Managing Editor Peter Spiegel.

The salary range for this position is $137,300 - $228,900. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a Post recruiter will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.