Defense Editor

Job Description:

The Wall Street Journal is looking for an experienced and ambitious editor to guide our coverage of the global defense industry. 

Primed to both report and edit, the ideal candidate will lead a transatlantic team of journalists spanning San Francisco, Washington, and London, shaping how the Journal covers one of the world’s most consequential and rapidly evolving sectors.

This is an opportunity to direct a high-impact coverage area at a pivotal moment for global security and defense technology. The Journal's defense coverage blends sharp breaking news with authoritative, in-depth features across U.S. prime contractors, U.S. technology and defense startups and the expanding footprint of major manufacturers across Europe.

You should be a decisive newsroom leader who thrives during breaking news while possessing the strategic vision to guide ambitious enterprise journalism. Your goal is to ensure our coverage illuminates the high-stakes intersection of advanced weaponry, corporate power, and geopolitics for a global readership.

You will:

• Direct and edit breaking news and deeply reported features and enterprise.
• Capture rapid shifts across defense technology and advanced weapons systems, spotlighting the executives, engineers, and innovators driving the sector forward.
• Guide coverage that digs into corporate strategies, capital allocation, and C-suite decisions critical to institutional investors and industry competitors.
• Oversee investigative and analytical reporting that reveals the complex relationships between governments, lobbyists, and defense contractors.
• Coordinate coverage monitoring global conflicts to assess the real-world deployment, supply chains, and battlefield effectiveness of new weapons systems.
• Report and write high-impact scoops and enterprise stories alongside the team, setting the editorial standard for speed, accuracy, and authority.

You have:

• Extensive experience covering or editing business, defense, national security, or technology for a major news organization.
• A proven track record of breaking news, cultivating high-level sources, and conceiving ambitious enterprise projects ahead of the competition.
• Deep familiarity with corporate finance, defense procurement, emerging technologies, and geopolitical dynamics.
• Sharp editing instincts and the ability to elevate complex, technical reporting into clear, compelling narratives for a broad business audience.
• Have successfully managed and developed high-performing teams.
• Demonstrable leadership experience across coverage areas on major news stories, particularly across multiple time zones.
• Able to recruit top talent, set clear objectives, give feedback, and recognize performance.

The position is based in New York.

To apply:

Please submit a resume, a cover letter explaining how you would approach the role and lead our global defense coverage, and three to five examples of your published work or edited packages by December 18th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submission as the position may be filled before the deadline.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. EEO/Disabled/Vets

Reasonable Accommodation

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Business Area:

Dow Jones - News - WSJ

Job Category:

Editorial/Journalism

Union Status:

Non-Union role
Base Pay Range: $165,000 - $200,000

We’re committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation to attract top talent. This pay range reflects our good faith estimate for the role and may vary based on a candidate’s experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors.

For bonus-eligible roles, targets are determined based on multiple considerations, including market benchmarks and individual contributions.

For benefits-eligible roles, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more, along with optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.