Washington Post

D.C. Regional Editor

Washington Post$125K — $175K *
Media
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of editing experience in a fast-paced newsroom
  • Proven news judgment and quick decision-making skills
  • Experience with diverse story types, including breaking news and investigations
  • Strong digital headline writing abilities
  • Familiar with analytics tools to guide editorial choices
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills
  • Deep understanding of local issues in the Washington region

Responsibilities

  • Edit news, features, and investigative stories focusing on clarity and engagement
  • Guide coverage of breaking news across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
  • Write and refine headlines to enhance audience reach
  • Collaborate with reporters to develop and elevate stories
  • Monitor audience data to shape coverage and presentation
  • Coordinate with the Local Editor on priorities and strategies
  • Connect local stories to broader national conversations

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Company-paid pension and 401(k) matching
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave policy
  • Paid parental leave for 20 weeks for new parents
  • Robust mental health resources
  • Backup care and concierge services for caregivers
  • Pet insurance available
  • Leadership and career development programs offered
Full Job Description
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 Samplesto be considered for the position.

The Washington Post is seeking a sharp, collaborative and audience-focused editor to help lead coverage of the Washington region, including the District, Maryland and Virginia.

This is a central role on the Local desk, shaping coverage that captures the complexity, urgency and humanity of one of the nation's most dynamic regions. The editor will work across a wide range of topics - from politics and immigration to the economy and community life - ensuring that our journalism is authoritative, engaging and essential to readers across the region.

We are looking for an editor with strong news judgment, a deep understanding of local audiences and a passion for elevating stories that resonate both locally and nationally. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at shaping coverage on deadline and brings a clear sense of how to present stories for maximum impact across digital platforms.

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

What Motivates You:
  • You are driven to tell the stories that define life in the Washington, D.C. region.
  • You thrive on the urgency of local breaking news and the opportunity to shape enterprise that resonates with readers.
  • You are curious about how national issues play out at the local level.
  • You enjoy collaborating with reporters and helping them produce their best work.
  • You are energized by understanding audiences and optimizing journalism for reach and impact.


How You'll Support the Mission:
  • Edit news, features, enterprise and investigative stories with a commitment to accuracy, accountability, clarity and engagement.
  • Work across subject areas, including immigration, the economy and politics in the Washington region.
  • Guide coverage of breaking news across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, ensuring timely and authoritative reporting.
  • Write and refine headlines to maximize reach and audience engagement.
  • Collaborate with reporters to conceptualize, shape and elevate stories from idea to publication.
  • Monitor performance data and audience trends to inform coverage decisions and presentation.
  • Coordinate closely with the Local Editor and Deputy Local Editor to shape priorities and coverage strategy.
  • Partner with colleagues across the newsroom to elevate coverage of the Washington region and connect local stories to national conversations.


The Skills and Experiences You Bring:
  • A strong track record of editing high-quality journalism in a fast-paced newsroom.
  • Excellent news judgment and the ability to make sound decisions under deadline pressure.
  • Experience editing a wide range of story types, from breaking news to enterprise and investigations.
  • Strong headline writing skills and an understanding of digital audience strategies.
  • Familiarity with analytics tools and a demonstrated ability to use data to inform editorial decisions.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • A deep interest in local news and the issues shaping the Washington region.


Interested candidates should upload a résumé and a cover letter to our jobs portal by June 10. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Local Editor April Bethea and Local Editor Theresa Vargas.

The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $175,000. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

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.

About Washington Post

The Washington Post is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most-widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large international audience. Daily broadsheet editions are printed for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The newspaper has won the Pulitzer Prize 65 times for its work, the second-most of any publication. It is considered a newspaper of record in the U.S. Post journalists have also received 18 Nieman Fellowships and 368 White House News Photographers Association awards. The paper is well known for its political reporting and is one of the few remaining American newspapers to operate foreign bureaus. The Post was founded in 1877. In its early years, it went through several owners and struggled both financially and editorially. Financier Eugene Meyer purchased it out of bankruptcy in 1933 and revived its health and reputation, work continued by his successors Katharine and Phil Graham, who bought out several rival publications. The Post's 1971 printing of the Pentagon Papers helped spur opposition to the Vietnam War. Subsequently, in the best-known episode in the newspaper's history, reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein led the American press's investigation into what became known as the Watergate scandal, which resulted in the 1974 resignation of President Richard Nixon. The advent of the internet expanded the Post's national and international reach. In October 2013, the Graham family sold the newspaper to Nash Holdings, a holding company owned by Jeff Bezos, for $250 million.
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