Editor-in-Chief

About the Forward:

Founded in 1897, the Forward is the leading Jewish voice in American journalism, committed to independent, non-partisan reporting that informs, inspires, and connects the many-faceted Jewish community. Originally published in Yiddish, today we are a digital media publication reaching millions through thought-provoking reporting, commentary and storytelling that reflects the full spectrum of Jewish life.

The Forward is known for “punching above our weight”; our journalism regularly wins awards and is cited in mainstream outlets such as The New York Times, Politico, The New Yorker and more. Our journalists appear on broadcast TV (CNN, MSNBC, etc.), radio (WNYC), podcasts and multimedia. While we’re headquartered in New York City, we also have staff and reporters in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, West Virginia and elsewhere.

About the role:

We are seeking a visionary, creative, and mission-driven Editor-in-Chief to lead the Forward into its next chapter, building on momentum and ever-wider readership. At a pivotal point in our 128-year history, we’re looking for a leader with a track record of achieving editorial excellence who wants to share their savvy and insight with our scrappy, dedicated independent media organization.

The Editor-in-Chief will oversee all editorial operations, guide and mentor a talented team of journalists, and be a champion for innovation in both content and audience strategy. The ideal candidate will bring fresh ideas, a high degree of comfort with the constantly changing media landscape, and a plan for delivering journalism that engages younger, more diverse audiences. Most fundamentally, our next leader can’t wait to expand the Forward’s presence in audiences’ lives as a “must-read” and “must-share” for readers across generations.

The Forward’s hallmarks include sharp and insightful reporting (enterprise, explainers, investigations, profiles, etc.), nuanced and sophisticated cultural coverage, opinion pieces that span the political map, explorations of Jewish life today, and a Yiddish section that publishes in the language of our original newspaper as well as in English for people who feel a connection to Yiddish but don’t read it. The right candidate will understand how to make the most out of a relatively small newsroom, which currently includes 15 journalists (masthead HERE ), and help the Forward stand out in a crowded media environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and execute an editorial vision that drives and reflects the American Jewish landscape and conversation, honoring the Forward’s legacy and continuing to serve loyal readers while creating relevance and resonance for younger Jewish audiences.
• Lead a dynamic editorial group across news, opinion, culture, and Jewish life, ensuring excellence on all platforms — web, mobile, newsletter, social, video, audio.
• Commission and shape coverage that reflects the diversity of Jewish experiences, voices, and perspectives, including underrepresented and emerging communities.
• Experiment with new content formats, storytelling techniques, and distribution channels to reach Gen Z and millennial audiences.
• Partner with teams across the organization to drive engagement; grow readership, members, and supporters; and build community around the Forward’s journalism.
• Foster a newsroom culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and professional growth.
• Represent the Forward in public forums, in the media, and with community partners and stakeholders.
• Serve on the executive team, report to the Board of Directors, and join the CEO in meeting with key financial supporters.

We’d like your experience to include:

• 10+ years of experience in journalism, with at least five years in editorial leadership roles.
• Proven success in growing digital audiences and building editorial products that resonate with younger people while sustaining current audiences.
• Strong understanding of Jewish life — religious, cultural, political, and generational — with a commitment to reporting with breadth and nuance.
• Editorial judgment, creativity, and comfort working across platforms and formats, with the ability to make the most out of resources available.
• Experience leading and managing with clarity, empathy, and accountability.
• Familiarity with analytics, SEO, social media trends, and digital publishing tools.

And we’d prefer to see:

• Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven media environments.
• Background in audience development, newsletters, social media, and/or video and podcasts.
• Knowledge of Yiddish and/or Hebrew.

And by the way: If you think you have the right skills for the role but not the experience we’ve specified, we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself.

What we offer:

• Hybrid work structure: Work onsite 2-3 days per week in our NYC office.
• A robust benefits package, including health insurance, life insurance, 401k with company match after first year, short- and long-term disability (STD/LTD), flexible spending plan, transit plan, and generous vacation (including Jewish holidays).
• Opportunity to have a direct and positive impact on strengthening independent Jewish journalism at a time when the community needs it most.
• Salary range: $200,000-$250,000, commensurate with experience.

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three samples of your work (articles, editorial projects, or digital initiatives) to jobs-EIC@forward.com. In your cover letter, tell us how you would help make the Forward a “must-read” for audiences of all ages.