Business Editor

About the role

The New York Times business desk serves a global audience that tracks economic trends and emerging technologies. This position owns that coverage, setting the agenda for ambitious enterprise and real-time news. You will translate intricate financial and technological shifts into clear, compelling narratives for readers. The role demands a leader who mentors a diverse staff, collaborates across disciplines, and pushes our journalism to new levels of impact. This is a full-time position based in New York City that requires a regular presence in our headquarters. You will report directly to Carolyn Ryan, managing editor.

What you'll do

You will define the strategic direction of the business desk, establishing clear goals and metrics for performance across all output formats. Your primary responsibility is to identify and drive original reporting that shapes the conversation around business and the economy. You will work closely with colleagues in video, photography, and design to ensure our work is presented with maximum clarity and impact. A core part of the role is fostering a newsroom culture that is rigorous, supportive, and ambitious. You will navigate the complexities of a large global organization to align priorities and deploy resources effectively. The position requires rapid, precise editing and the judgment to handle high-stakes, deadline-driven assignments. You will spearhead initiatives that enhance our understanding of corporate behavior and market dynamics for our readers. The role involves setting the narrative framework that guides how our audience perceives major economic shifts. You will champion underreported stories that illuminate the human side of complex financial systems. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for collaboration with other desks and bureaus. You will ensure our coverage maintains the highest standards of accuracy and public accountability.

You will establish and own the daily editorial workflow for the business desk, making fast and precise decisions on story placement, headline strategy, and resource deployment. You will coordinate with colleagues in video, photography, and design to plan coverage across formats for breaking news, enterprise projects, and long-term investigations. You will mentor junior staff through regular one-on-one coaching, providing actionable feedback that strengthens their reporting, storytelling, and judgment. You will set clear desk-level goals and key performance indicators, tracking metrics such as reader engagement, depth of coverage, and timeliness of enterprise work. You will manage the allocation of reporters across beats, ensuring that undercovered areas receive focused attention. You will represent the business desk in cross-departmental meetings, aligning priorities with news leadership, product, and audience teams. You will maintain a rigorous editorial standard during high-pressure deadlines, ensuring clarity, precision, and factual accuracy in every story. You will evaluate new technologies and storytelling tools that can elevate how business journalism is produced and consumed. You will uphold the highest standards of independence and transparency in all coverage decisions.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of cumulative experience in journalism or related fields.
• At least 5 years in a senior editorial role with responsibility for directing complex coverage.
• A proven ability to assess emerging situations and assign stories that result in significant public impact.
• Demonstrated mastery of multiple storytelling formats, including text, video, and interactive graphics.
• Exceptional editorial judgment and the ability to refine prose and structure under intense time pressure.
• A history of success leading within intricate organizational environments.
• Strong news judgment and a deep commitment to the principles of independent journalism.
• A track record of making decisions that uphold the integrity and reputation of our news organization.
• The capacity to manage multiple high-priority assignments simultaneously without compromising quality.
• An understanding of the ethical considerations that govern business and financial reporting.

What we value

We seek a candidate who brings a collaborative and diplomatic approach to leadership. An enthusiasm for developing colleagues and elevating their work is essential. Your experience should includes managing significant editorial operations where you have coordinated with producers, engineers, and designers. You should be comfortable making high-level decisions regarding resource allocation and long-term desk strategy. A demonstrated commitment to building an inclusive environment where diverse talents can thrive is crucial for this role.

The successful candidate will possess a deep knowledge of the global business landscape and the technological forces reshaping it. You will use that expertise to anticipate trends and position our coverage for the future. This is an opportunity to define a major section of a renowned publication, requiring vision, resilience, and intellectual curiosity.

Practical notes

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Engagement: Full-time, regular office attendance

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Location: USA

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Compensation: $180,000.00 to $230,000.00 per year