Senior Photo Editor, National Geographic

$77,100 - $103,400/Yr

Disney

Full-time - Senior

1,001-5,000 employees

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries

About the position

The Senior Photo Editor for National Geographic is a pivotal role that involves developing, pitching, and producing compelling visual stories across various platforms, including NationalGeographic.com, our app, and print magazines, with a strong emphasis on social media production. This position requires leveraging an extensive global network of photographers and a passion for diverse storytelling approaches to produce and assign evocative and detailed stories. The Senior Photo Editor will collaborate closely with the social media team to curate photography for our accounts, ensuring that the imagery aligns with the narratives being told. A meticulous and passionate approach to researching imagery is essential, as the editor will be responsible for finding the perfect visual elements to accompany each story. In this role, the Senior Photo Editor will work collaboratively with photographers, writers, text editors, producers, and designers to create powerful multiplatform visual storytelling that is the cornerstone of National Geographic's mission. The editor's refined taste, editorial judgment, and innovative approach will be crucial in redefining visual storytelling, particularly in the digital space, and setting new standards for multiplatform visual journalism. Mentoring entry and mid-level visual editors will also be a key responsibility, helping to cultivate a highly effective team that produces content across platforms that resonates with audiences and yields expert, sophisticated stories aligned with National Geographic's focus on subjects such as archaeology, wildlife, science and health, and technology. The Senior Photo Editor will pitch thoroughly developed ideas in a well-structured written format, ensuring a clear central theme and a strong hook, while leveraging data and understanding audience preferences across platforms. Responsibilities include assigning, directing, producing, and acquiring a wide range of photographic stories for digital, social, and print use, while adhering to operational excellence guidelines. The editor will manage various editorial projects, including newsstand-only single-topic issues and recurring franchises, collaborating with all teams involved to ensure the production of compelling and effective stories. Additionally, the role involves managing deliverables, assets, and workflows, providing field support to photographers, and contributing to newsletters as needed.

Responsibilities

• Pitch thoroughly developed ideas in a well-structured written format with a clear central theme and strong hook.
• Assign, direct, produce, and acquire a wide range of photographic stories for digital, social, and print platforms.
• Collaborate with the social team on curating images for accounts and identifying new opportunities.
• Manage a variety of editorial projects, including newsstand-only single-topic issues and recurring franchises.
• Ensure the production of holistically conceived stories by collaborating with video producers, text editors, writers, and designers.
• Manage deliverables, assets, and workflows, including accurate caption information and verifying credit lines.
• Provide field support to photographers, including securing visas, permits, and specialized equipment.
• Contribute to newsletters as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of experience as a photo editor, focusing on editorial and documentary work.
• Deep understanding of what constitutes a breakthrough story in a content-saturated era.
• Awareness of and adaptability to changing industry trends and technologies, especially in social media.
• Excellent visual taste and writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, achieving strategic team goals through multitasking and problem-solving.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated with the ability to exercise independent judgment and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong project management skills to maintain visual excellence within timelines and budgets.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with social media platforms.
• Software experience: Filemaker, Asana, Slack, Air Table; Keynote, Lightroom, Photo Mechanic, Photo Supreme, Photoshop.
• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Photojournalism.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Financial benefits
• Bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package.