Summary of the Foreign Editor job at Newsweek

Newsweek is seeking a Foreign Editor to lead international news and foreign affairs coverage from our UK-based digital newsroom, targeting a U.S. audience.

This role is responsible for ensuring Newsweek's global coverage is driven not simply by what is happening around the world, but by what matters most to American readers. The successful candidate will shape coverage of global events through a distinctly American lens, identifying and developing stories that connect international developments to U.S. interests, politics, security, business and culture. They will help audiences understand how events abroad affect America and its place in the world, delivering journalism that is authoritative, insightful and relevant to the lives and concerns of our readers.

Reporting to the News Director, London Bureau, this senior leadership role combines people management, editorial strategy, commissioning and hands-on editing to deliver high-impact journalism that distinguishes Newsweek from competitors.

The Foreign Editor will lead a team comprising reporters based in London and New York. They will be responsible for setting clear editorial priorities, coaching reporters to improve performance, developing talent and ensuring the team consistently meets ambitious production, audience and quality targets.

The successful candidate will use audience insights, reporting expertise and strong editorial judgement to identify opportunities for original journalism, exclusives, interviews and enterprise reporting. They will challenge and support reporters to develop distinctive angles on global news stories, ensuring Newsweek delivers coverage that is authoritative, insightful and differentiated in a highly competitive news environment.

The Foreign Editor will embrace the opportunities presented by AI and automation technologies while maintaining the highest editorial, legal and ethical standards. They will be agile and innovative, continuously seeking new ways to improve newsroom performance, grow audiences, and enhance the quality of Newsweek's journalism.

They will be responsible for ensuring high-quality coverage that is accurate, fair, and conforms to accepted standards of journalism. They will also perform any other reasonable duties necessary to meet the needs of the business.

This is a full-time role working 5 days a week. Weekend shifts will be required on a rotational basis. Working times on weekdays are typically 7am to 4pm and on weekends 8am to 5pm.

You may work from home anywhere in the UK or from our London, Canary Wharf office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of reporters and editors, providing regular coaching, feedback and performance management to improve output, quality and audience engagement.

• Set clear editorial objectives and hold team members accountable for meeting agreed production, audience and performance targets.

• Commission, edit and publish high-impact coverage of international news, geopolitics and national security.

• Drive original reporting, exclusives, interviews and enterprise journalism that differentiates Newsweek from competitors.

• Use audience data, analytics and market intelligence to inform coverage decisions and identify growth opportunities.

• Ensure reporters consistently identify distinctive angles, sources and story opportunities that strengthen Newsweek's brand and authority.

• Respond rapidly to breaking news and oversee major coverage plans, including live blogs and rolling news operations.

• Collaborate closely with the News Director and senior editors on editorial strategy, newsroom planning and special projects.

• Use AI and automation tools responsibly to improve newsroom efficiency and editorial performance.

• Monitor global developments, emerging trends and audience interests to shape daily and long-term coverage priorities.

• Maintain the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, legal compliance and journalistic integrity.

• Lead the news operation on weekdays and weekends when required.

• Ensure Newsweek delivers high-quality reporting that is accurate, fair, and conforms to accepted standards of journalism.

• Perform any other reasonable duties as necessary to meet the needs of the business.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Extensive editing and reporting experience at a reputable publication, with significant expertise in international news, geopolitics, foreign affairs or national security.

• Proven experience managing journalists, including coaching reporters, developing talent and driving measurable improvements in performance.

• Demonstrable track record of delivering audience growth and using analytics to inform editorial decision-making.

• Strong record of commissioning and producing original reporting, exclusives, investigations and interview-led journalism.

• Exceptional news judgement and ability to identify distinctive, audience-focused angles on major global stories.

• Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced digital newsroom and make effective decisions under pressure.

• Experience setting objectives, managing performance and holding staff accountable for agreed targets and standards.

• Proficiency and willingness to work with AI tools and integrate them responsibly into editorial workflows.

• Strong command of digital publishing platforms, CMS tools, analytics systems and newsroom technology.

• Excellent understanding of media law, editorial risk and journalistic best practice.

• Outstanding communication, leadership and organisational skills.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends on a rotational basis.