Senior Editor

The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC

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Washington DC - The Wharf Until 8/21/2026 10+ years exp First posted June 12, 2026 Last posted June 12, 2026
Job description

The Atlantic is hiring a senior editor to join the newsroom’s Political Accountability and National Security team. This editor will oversee staff writers and work closely with the team’s other editors to produce stories that lead the national conversation. The editor, who can specialize in areas of politics, policy, or national security, will be instrumental in shaping The Atlantic’s coverage of issues such as intelligence, the justice system, foreign affairs, the military, U.S. elections, domestic policy, and the politics of AI.

This is a position for a journalist of exceptional vision and judgment. The ideal candidate will be adept at managing ambitious reporters and capable of nurturing groundbreaking stories from idea to publication. This person should be comfortable operating at all altitudes in the editorial process, moving fast to deliver scoops and going deep to shape major investigations. Editors with expertise in particular domains of politics, policy, and national security, as well as generalists with experience in all fields, are both welcome to apply. This position will at times include night, early-morning, and weekend work. 

Other qualifications of the ideal candidate include:

  • 10+ years of experience, with a demonstrated ability to define the conversation around issues of national importance 

  • A magazine sensibility, with superlative narrative skills and a passion for ideas-based journalism.

  • An eagerness to collaborate on a tight-knit team.

  • A stellar work ethic and a hunger to be in the mix on urgent and consequential stories.

Salary minimum: $105,000; Salary maximum: $200,000

This position is based in Washington, D.C.

About The Atlantic:

The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.

_____________

The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.  

Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

About this role

Summary

Oversee staff writers and shape coverage on politics, policy, and national security.

Job title

Senior Editor

Experience level

10+ years

Minimum experience

10+ years exp

Industry

media

Location requirements

Washington, D.C., on-site with some night/weekend work allowed

Salary

$105k–$200k

Management role

Yes

Skills & keywords

Required skills

editorial managementreportingstory development

Preferred skills

narrative storytellinginvestigative journalismteam collaboration

Specializations

politicspolicynational security
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Washington, DC, USA

On-site City
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