Managing Editor

Job Description

Title: Managing Editor, MEA

Job Level: L5

Reports to: Director, Editorial APAC & MEA

Location: Abu Dhabi

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The Managing Editor is a strategist, a mentor, and an executor. The role calls for someone who is innovative and visionary, who guides and rallies the digital content team, and who oversees seamless day-to-day operations. You are crucial in shaping VICE Arabia and what it stands for and driving content that resonates with our audiences across the region.

This role requires a content leader with proven success in the digital publishing field. You are fluent in multi-platform story-telling and have experience in the delivery of best in class content, across multiple digital formats and platforms, across the Middle East region.

From time to time, you would collaborate on some of our tier 1 brand partnership pitches and executions. You will collaborate with commercial teams to develop insights and expertise around content (VICE authority areas) and audiences. You will be a natural leader, with exceptional teamwork skills, and an unbridled interest and enthusiasm for youth culture and everything the VICE brand(s) represents.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Works closely with the Editorial Director to develop VICE Arabia's voice and editorial strategy, helping to make VICE an indispensable part of young voices in the region
• Works closely with the Editorial Director and the regional editorial team to develop an editorial calendar and special projects that are impactful and help supercharge audience growth
• Manages the editors and guides them on their content, regularly communicating the direction and goals of VICE Arabia
• Brainstorms and executes experimental and scalable projects to ensure VICE is at the forefront of innovation in connecting with Arabia's youth
• Ensures execution of strategies to achieve KPIs, manages and monitors the performance of editors, writers and publishers
• Edits and occasionally writes feature-length articles on a variety of subjects
• Ensures quality control of articles in edits and typos, the timely output of content, and makes sure our content sets the bar globally
• Manages content budgets and freelance contributors
• Works closely with the social producers and video teams to ensure VICE content is best-served on all relevant social platforms and formats, from Tweets to TikToks
• Regularly communicates with commercial teams to improve synergies, share insights and plan editorial calendars
• Is able to collaborate with commercial team on a regular basis on top-tier branded projects, providing insights and authority on VICE content and audiences
• Is familiar with branded content, comfortable working in this space to help bring commercial projects to life on Vice and can make strategic recommendations on branded editorial content
• Can manage strategic partnerships with platforms to ensure proper value exchange for editorial and social and stay updated on product updates and how to optimise them for our channels
• Analyze performance metrics across Vice's properties to quantify results
• Implement best practices, workflows, tools and templates to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the publishing process

YOU MUST HAVE:
• Proven experience as managing editor or relevant role
• A thorough understanding of grammar.
• Advanced copy writing capabilities.
• Understanding of nuance (ie what makes a smart headline, or creative elements that make or break a story, etc).
• Strong leadership skills coupled with empathy and the ability to coach and inspire the best out of junior employees.
• Thorough knowledge of VICE's content, what we do at VICE and great passion in our brand - the best employees are usually fans.
• Acute decision making skills through data analytics, balanced with intuition and insight.
• Ability to conceptualise a story or idea in different formats: articles, social posts/carousels, Reels, Insta Stories, TikToks, Snaps, Gifs, Etc Minimum of 8+ years of experience in digital storytelling, (and/or) writing, and grammar.
• 2 or more years of functional team management in content, editorial or publishing.
• An keen eye for multi-platform/multi-format storytelling (think articles, Instagram Reels, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, etc)
• A genuine curiosity for the weird, wild and interesting, and a passion to bring those stories to life.
• Ability to manage senior stakeholders across the business with maturity

YOU SHOULD HAVE:
• A nose for stories.
• An eye for photos.
• A (good) sense of humour.
• An innate sense of internet culture.

COMPETENCIES:
• Solid editorial and written communication skills - must be able to write and edit cleanly. This is absolutely vital.
• The self-assurance to say ''no'' to ideas more often than ''yes''.
• An ability to proofread a draft accurately and understand immediately what needs changing.
• A proclivity for working without many guidelines, structure and thrives in ambiguity and a rapid, somewhat chaotic work environment.
• An innate curiosity about the world, combined with a kind of street-smart cynicism. This is the brand's tone, and the best employees possess similar characteristics.

Candidates, please note that if you are contacted by anyone with an email other than @vice.com purporting to be recruiting on behalf of Vice Media, it is not legitimate, and you should not engage.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r1nejx-3-138-200-66-42 in your application.