America Editor, West

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.

Join the future of news

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.

About Our Team

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.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post is seeking an America editor based on the West Coast or in the Mountain Time Zone to lead a team of reporters covering the U.S. at a time of immense political, social and cultural change.

This editor will join two other editors and more than a dozen reporters deployed around the country to provide essential storytelling that helps readers understand America. This person will drive coverage that deepens our readers' understanding of key priority areas, including but not limited to religion; poverty and affordability; the American dream; demographics; urban and rural life; family and community life; gun violence and gun culture; and drugs and other vices.

The right person for this role will thrive both in a fast-paced breaking news environment and at the helm of a complex accountability story or narrative feature. We’re looking for a skilled story editor who relishes the opportunity to guide and coach reporters to do their best work.

We are seeking an editor based in the Pacific or Mountain time zones, with the expectation that this editor will take responsibility for national news that breaks late in the Washington day.

What Motivates You:

• You are driven to lead distinctive coverage of the country in all of its complexity.
• You thrive in a competitive environment and are motivated to break news and set the agenda.
• You are curious about how to reach audiences in new and compelling ways.
• You value collaboration and are energized by working across teams to elevate storytelling.

How You’ll Support the Mission:

• Develop and execute stories that shed light on the issues that animate American life and communities and hold the powerful to account for missteps, misconduct and malfeasance.
• Drive aggressive news coverage of the biggest breaking news moments in the country, including deploying correspondents, helming live stories and developing coverage plans for the days and weeks that follow.
• Work in close collaboration with visuals and audience editors to produce compelling, visually distinctive work that pushes the boundaries of innovative storytelling.
• Use data and performance insights to help guide story selection and maximize impact.
• Foster a supportive, high-performing team culture that prioritizes development, collaboration and excellence.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:

• At least 5 years of professional journalism experience.
• A track record of editing or reporting with distinction.
• A vision for elevating The Post’s National coverage to engage new audiences.
• A collaborative spirit and superb communication skills.
• Experience as a supervisor is a big plus.

The salary range for this position is $122,500 - $204,100. 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.

Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter outlining their 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 May 31 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Deputy National Editor Debbi Wilgoren and National Editor Jennifer Amur.

Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.

Compensation And Benefits

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.

Your story awaits. Apply today!

Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.