Summary of the Editor, Books Desk job at The New York Times

The New York Times is seeking a visionary, deeply collaborative, and strategically minded editor to lead its coverage of books. 

In this role, you will oversee the Books desk for The New York Times, managing a stellar team of editors, critics, reporters and  contributors. You will define and execute  the editorial strategy of the prestigious New York Times Book Review while also steering the evolution of our coverage  across our website and app, newsletters, audio, video and social platforms.

The Times plays an essential role in answering the questions that so many smart readers have: What should I read, and why? The Books editor will help us sharpen how we connect readers to the expertise, recommendations and insights on books that our journalists and critics possess, and help The Times inspire conversations and foster community around the books that evoke passion and interest.

The ideal candidate is a cultural trendspotter with impeccable editorial judgment, a passion for both nonfiction writing and literature, news energy and a proven track record of managing high-performing creative teams in a fast-paced digital newsroom. They have a deep, comprehensive knowledge of the publishing industry, contemporary literature, publishing trends, and the cultural conversations surrounding books.

This is an in-office position, based in New York and includes regular attendance in the office at least four days each week. 

Responsibilities: 

• Define and execute the overarching editorial strategy for books coverage, balancing the authoritative, deeply analytical tradition of The Book Review with innovative, inviting and accessible digital offerings.
• Ensure coverage reflects a wide, diverse range of voices, genres, backgrounds, and ideological perspectives, and reflects the broad world of publishing, from mainstream blockbusters to important literary and non-fiction works. 
• Oversee the selection of books to be reviewed, ensuring the Times remains the definitive voice in the literary world.
• Direct high-profile projects, including the "10 Best Books of the Year," the "100 Notable Books," and develop new books franchises, in collaboration with our newly created modern canon team.
• Produce aggressive coverage of the publishing industry, from the economics of bookselling and marketing to debates about writing, plagiarism, artificial intelligence, ideological disputes, marquee authors and more.
• Collaborate with product, audio, video, and design teams to expand the Books desk’s footprint across formats (e.g., The Book Review Podcast, newsletters, interactive graphics, and social media platforms).
• Use audience insights to understand reader behavior and optimize headline writing, packaging, and publishing schedules while maintaining editorial integrity.
• Manage, mentor, and inspire a dedicated team of editors, staff critics, and reporters, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous growth.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
• You will report to a Masthead Editor.

Basic Qualifications: 

• 15+ years of experience in journalism or cultural criticism
• 5+ years in a significant leadership or managerial role within a major media organization.
• Deep, comprehensive knowledge of the publishing industry, contemporary literature, publishing trends, and the cultural conversations surrounding books.
• Proven experience leading digital transformations, with a sophisticated vision and understanding of audience engagement and digital storytelling.
• Demonstrated exceptional editing skills, with the ability to sharpen complex critiques, elevate prose, and guide writers toward their best work under tight deadlines.
• Experience successfully navigating complex, matrixed organizational structures.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• A collaborative, diplomatic leadership style 

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a one-page cover letter that includes 3–5 examples of projects or sections you have edited or directed.

REQ-020463