Job Details

Senior Editor (Volunteer)

Note: This is a remote, part-time volunteer position.

Are you an experienced editor - perhaps retired, between roles, building toward your next step, or simply looking for a more meaningful editorial home - who misses the intellectual challenge, the shaping of important stories, and the satisfaction of bringing strong journalism to life?

WhoWhatWhy, an independent nonprofit news organization, is looking for part-time Senior Editors to help guide story selection, shape editorial direction, and work closely with writers and fellow editors. For some, this is a way to stay actively engaged in serious journalism, mentor developing writers, and help shape coverage at an important moment. For others, it's a chance to bring high-level editorial judgment to a collaborative team and remain deeply connected to the work. We have a limited budget, so we especially welcome those who are not looking to us principally as an income source.

Our team is highly experienced, collaborative, and deeply engaged with the work. The atmosphere is convivial, supportive, and stimulating - the kind of environment where ideas are shared freely and good editing makes everyone's work stronger. For the right person, this can be a rewarding way to stay actively connected to serious journalism.
Who We Are

WhoWhatWhy is an independent nonprofit investigative news organization producing deep-dive journalism on the most important issues of our time. We're powered by skilled volunteers and a small core staff - from students to seasoned professionals - who believe in rigorous, ethical reporting free from corporate or political influence.
About the Role

As a Senior Editor, you will help shape coverage from the earliest stages of story development through final publication. You will work across multiple pieces at once - guiding story selection, setting editorial direction, mentoring writers, and making key decisions about what moves forward and when. You will:

• Review and approve story pitches based on relevance, feasibility, and alignment with editorial priorities
• Assign stories to writers and determine the most appropriate contributors and/or areas of coverage
• Define story direction, scope, and key angles at the outset of assignments
• Review drafts and determine whether additional reporting, revision, sourcing, or reframing is required
• Make final decisions about when a piece is ready for publication
• Ensure published work meets editorial standards for accuracy, sourcing, fairness, and consistency
• Contribute original story ideas and identify emerging topics or lines of coverage worth pursuing
• Oversee multiple stories simultaneously and maintain progress across assignments

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of editorial experience in a newsroom, publication, or similarly demanding editorial environment
• A strong track record of shaping long-form, investigative, analytical, or explanatory journalism for publication
• Demonstrated experience assigning stories, evaluating pitches, and helping determine what coverage is worth pursuing
• The editorial judgment to identify when a story needs deeper reporting, sharper framing, stronger support, or a different angle
• Comfort guiding writers from early idea stage through revision and publication readiness
• The ability to manage multiple assignments while maintaining quality, consistency, and forward momentum

Bonus

• Experience managing freelance, volunteer, or cross-functional contributors
• Experience shaping investigative, explanatory, or enterprise reporting across multiple beats
• Familiarity with multimedia or multi-platform storytelling, including audio, video, or data-informed reporting
• Experience mentoring writers or helping develop less-experienced contributors
• Experience in nonprofit, independent, or mission-driven media environments

Commitment

We value volunteers who can contribute consistently over time and communicate reliably with their teams. Scheduling is flexible and will vary depending on the role, workload, and department needs.
How to Apply

Please send:

• Your resume or a brief summary of your relevant experience
• A short note explaining your interest in the role

If you cannot upload your materials, email them to [email protected]. Please check your spam folder for responses.
Reminder

We value thoughtful, genuine applications that reflect your own voice and interest in the role.