National Geographic - Travel Editor (National Geographic)

Content Producer is needed in Washington, United States.

Client: National Geographic

Location: Washington, DC

Job Description

The Travel Editor conceives, assigns, edits and prepares for publishing editorial travel content for National Geographic, with a particular focus on service journalism that attracts broad global audiences to NationalGeographic.com. This role involves working with freelance writers and creators to develop text- and video-based content and managing the ongoing Destination Guides program, aiming to assist travelers in making informed decisions. The editor will collaborate with photo editors on visual content and contribute to recurring travel series and franchises, providing an opportunity to create valuable content for a trusted travel brand.

Responsibilities

• Conceive and pitch travel story ideas for NatGeo.com in collaboration with freelance writers/creators, focusing on service journalism.
• Commission, produce, edit, and prepare stories for publishing, collaborating with photo editors and digital producers.
• Define and shape the creative approach to destination guide coverage, including formats and media types.
• Track and plan ongoing refreshes and additions to destination guides, utilizing performance data to develop strategic approaches.
• Conceptualize and execute ideas for additional stories to drive audience development and engagement.
• Assist on larger-scale initiatives like Best of the World and other ongoing series and franchises.
• Develop and propose new approaches to travel storytelling, especially in video form and for third-party platforms.
• Expand the roster of freelance contributors, focusing on writers and creators in the travel sector.
• Collaborate with newsletter and social media editors on promotional efforts for travel content.
• Partner with sales and marketing to develop editorial ideas in response to proposals and active sales requests.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in conceiving, assigning, and editing editorial content for digital publishing.
• Experience with digital editing, production needs (e.g., SEO, tagging, headline writing).
• Experience developing actionable content for travelers from on-the-ground reporting and expertise.
• Strong visual presentation skills and understanding of stories that work visually in digital and social formats.
• Deep knowledge of the travel industry and experience creating travel content.
• A roster of creative collaborators, especially freelance writers, and understanding of quality reporting.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills to present ideas fluently.
• Understanding of the evolving media landscape and consumer behavior in travel media.
• Collaborative spirit with the ability to work across a matrixed environment.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure, adhering to budget and deadline parameters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in developing and creating video-based content is a plus.
• Knowledge of and experience collaborating with creators is helpful but not required.
• Experience in a large corporate environment.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Preferred Education

• Concentration in journalism or media is helpful but not required.

Additional Information

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $79,400 to $106,400 per year. The base pay will consider internal equity and may vary based on the candidate’s geographic region, knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be included in the compensation package, in addition to a comprehensive benefits package.