Director of Editorial Services

Description

The Cato Institute seeks a writer and editor to edit, polish, and place opinion pieces in major news media outlets. The director of editorial services will also work with policy scholars to brainstorm ideas for opinion pieces that are topical, timely, and likely to be sought by targeted media outlets. Qualified applicants must have at least 7 years of experience writing or editing in a think tank, journalism, or equivalent setting. The ideal candidate will be capable of editing multiple independent pieces for the specifications of domestic and international publications simultaneously, often on short deadlines. The candidate must be able to interact with a diverse group of policy scholars and help them to develop opinion pieces that both reflect their work and meet the needs of target news outlets. Reporting or daily journalism experience is preferred. Familiarity with libertarian perspectives and arguments is a plus. This position reports to the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing.

This position may be performed virtually from anywhere in the United States, with a strong preference for candidates willing to work from our Washington, DC office at least two days per week.

The projected salary range for this role is $100,000 - $130,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE TALENT MARKET APPLICATION.

About Cato:

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution — individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people, it is the indispensable framework for the future.

Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities:

• Edit and polish opinion pieces authored by Cato scholars for publication in major national and international media outlets.
• Work closely with policy scholars to develop op-ed ideas that are timely, topical, and aligned with current media trends.
• Manage multiple editing projects concurrently—often under tight deadlines—tailoring tone, structure, and formatting to fit various publication standards.
• Serve as an editorial liaison between scholars and editors at top-tier outlets to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Provide substantive feedback to authors while preserving the intellectual integrity and libertarian perspective of their arguments.
• Track media trends, editorial calendars, and news cycles to identify strategic placement opportunities for Cato commentary.
• Collaborate with communications and media teams to support broader editorial initiatives, including high-impact campaigns or rapid-response writing.
• Experience in or strong familiarity with libertarian or classical liberal ideas and public policy perspectives.
• Preferred: Background in daily journalism or professional reporting, particularly with opinion, politics, or policy beats.
• Collaborate on Cato Blog editing and publishing, with potential for contribution directly as a featured writer. 

Requirements

Education/ Experience

• 7-10 years of experience writing and editing in journalism or a similar setting.
• Demonstrated success editing commentary for major news outlets such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, etc.
• Experience in or strong familiarity with libertarian or classical liberal ideas and public policy perspectives.
• Preferred: Background in daily journalism or professional reporting, particularly with opinion, politics, or policy beats.

Skills

• Exceptional editorial judgment, clarity of writing, and ability to adapt tone and structure for varied platforms and audiences.
• Strong familiarity with AP style and common opinion formats (op-eds, letters to the editor, first-person essays).
• Ability to work with a wide range of personalities and writing styles—particularly with subject matter experts and academics.
• Capacity to juggle competing deadlines and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, news-driven environment.

Benefits:

All Cato employees are provided with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance 
• 401(k) employer match
• Transit/ Parking benefits 
• Pet discount plan

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter including:

               o An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Cato’s mission and how you came to those beliefs

                  o Salary requirements

• Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: Savannah@talentmarket.org.

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.