Senior Editor

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Senior Editor
Media Department 
Multiple Office Locations (United States)
Application Deadline: October 30, 2025

The Media department at Human Rights Watch (HRW) plays a crucial role in advancing human rights worldwide by effectively communicating and publicizing research findings, reports, and human rights abuses through various media channels.

The Media Department is seeking an Editor to edit press releases, short reports (pressers plus), and short articles (dispatches). We are looking for someone with a strong background in journalism who has edited at a major newspaper or wire service. This person should be able to handle a high volume of material and work independently, following the HRW style guide. They should have a strong interest and knowledge of human rights issues, and be able to translate complex issues into punchy, accessible prose. 

The position will be based in our Chicago, Miami, New York or Washington office and will report to the Director of the Communications Division

Responsibilities

1. Edit, revise and recast HRW news releases, dispatches, research projects, interviews and other written products for the HRW website.
2. Work in partnership with the Director to provide advice on strategy development and its implementation to maximize media coverage of HRW reports and issues;
3. Collaborate with Senior Editor and peers on editorial production to create a balanced workflow of priorities;
4. Provide advice and analysis to HRW staff on framing issues and messages to advance advocacy goals;
5. Train staff in writing special features, news releases and other written products;
6. Help identify effective messengers, influencers and outside validators and cultivate relationships with them to more effectively communicate and persuade audiences about critical US human rights issues;
7. Advise on and manage communications while maintaining strong and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
8. Identify possible media partners who might use our content; and
9. Carrying out any other tasks as required. 

Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree in journalism or another relevant subject or equivalent experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of 6 years of journalism and editing experience and a deep knowledge/understanding of the international media landscape is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge

1. Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English are required. 
2. Proven track record as an editor is required. 
3. Ability to express ideas clearly and logically is required. 
4. Experience working in a demanding, diverse, and fast-paced environment both independently and as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally is required. 
5. Flexibility in responding quickly to events as they occur and producing excellent written material under tight deadlines is required. 
6. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required. 
7. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with external partners are required. 
8. Experience with a news organization, particularly online, is desirable. 
9. A broad range of knowledge about human rights and domestic policy issues, particularly around immigration, criminal justice, and national security, is desirable. 

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers comprehensive compensation and benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; people of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. The salary range for this position is USD 88,000 – 96,000.

How to Apply: Please apply by October 30, 2025 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest and CV or resume. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email recruitment@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted, and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.