Senior Editor, Business Research & Publishing, Americas (Financial Services)

Location: New York

Based In:	New York
Reporting To:	Director, Business Research & Publishing

Summary purpose of job

To help to build a thriving sponsored research business in the Americas that draws effectively on both existing EIU content and on specially commissioned research/writing. To produce compelling thought leadership programmes that enable sponsors to reach a targeted audience. To be an intellectual leader in the BRP team through a combination of outstanding editorial standards and a high degree of experience and competence in project management and external representation. To generate fresh, timely and reader-focused research ideas that generate sponsor interest and support.

Key accountabilities

Idea generation and intellectual leadership

• Initiate and actively participate in team discussions on the implications for our business of key developments in your area of specialism.
• Oversee and maintain an editorial practice area that includes building a stable of freelance writers and project managers, developing on-brand research ideas to take to market, identifying experts and executives to call upon for interviews, and finding fresh case studies for use in white papers and other reports.
• Produce proposals for sponsored research projects in the Americas, conducting the degree of background research necessary to generate compelling, on-brand proposals with appropriately engaging deliverables.
• Support the Director, BRP and the Editorial Director, Americas in developing less experienced colleagues
• Potentially take line management responsibility for junior colleagues, as directed by the Director, BRP

Research and analysis

• Conduct the necessary desk research to ensure the accuracy, currency and comprehensiveness of the information in published reports.
• Research, draft and analyze online surveys related to sponsored research projects
• Ensure that the editorial integrity of the Economist Intelligence Unit is maintained at all times during the course of projects

Commissioning and managing writers

• Find and commission suitable writers. Provide a detailed brief to writers to ensure the comprehensiveness and relevance of their input, and subsequently manage the delivery and interrogation of their input.
• Give meaningful and constructive feedback to writers, ensuring all queries are resolved to the satisfaction of the Director, BRP.

Editing and writing

• Write and/or re-write material where original copy is sub-standard or incomplete. All reports are checked by a secondary editor and/or the Director, BRP and the Editorial Director, Americas; all queries must be addressed. Ensure the integrity and objectivity of the analysis and interpretation of events and information, properly citing all sources in line with company policy and copyright laws. Editors are responsible for ensuring that writers' copy contains no plagiarism of external sources.
• Act as a second editor as assigned by the Director, BRP, and provide meaningful and constructive feedback in a timely manner.

Project management

• Help to facilitate the smooth running of custom-publishing projects run by the Economist Intelligence Unit in the Americas, immediately flagging any issues that may require the involvement of the Director, BRP, Editorial Director or sales team
• Ensure that projects are completed on time, on budget and to the satisfaction of the Editorial Director, Americas
• Be the principal point of contact with sponsors during the course of projects, to keep them informed of developments and to respond to their concerns in a timely fashion
• Facilitate appropriate contact between the sponsor and the writer
• Work closely with other editorial departments where required to ensure our full capabilities are leveraged to deliver the richest possible content
• Help ensure that the marketing and distribution elements of the project are delivered to specification
• Enable the Director, BRP to meet production objectives by achieving a high level of editorial productivity and assuming responsibility for extra projects when the need arises.

External representation and sales support

• Work with the sponsorship sales team to call on clients and develop new business, both in person and through conference calls
• Present at and facilitate events run by Economist Conferences and clients, some of which are international
• Give interviews to media bodies such as television, radio or newspapers on behalf of BRP

Performance measures

The metrics against which the senior editor’s performance will be assessed include:

• Completion of top-quality sponsored research projects to strict deadlines;
• Ability to generate research themes that gain client sponsorship
• Success in managing costs and meeting contribution targets for sponsored research projects
• Ability to generate repeat business from satisfied clients

Skills and capabilities profile:

Education and Training:

• Educated to degree and preferably masters level

Previous Work Experience:

• Excellent writing, editing, presentation and author-management skills.
• An outstanding project management track record
• Experience dealing with senior executives

Knowledge

• Thorough awareness of the Economist Intelligence Unit's brand values, notably editorial independence
• Good understanding of international business and management issues. Specialist knowledge of the financial services, energy or healthcare industries is a requirement.

IT

• Ability to manipulate and analyse data in Excel would be an advantage

Languages

• Fluent written and spoken English essential. Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese would be an advantage

Personal attributes and skills

• Confidence and diplomatic skills to handle unfamiliar topics and difficult clients
• Self-starter, with the drive to set and reach ambitious goals and constantly raise the bar
• Willingness to travel to present at client events or support sales activity in the Americas

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.

If you would like to be considered for this challenging position, please submit your letter of interest (Salary Requirements a must) and resume to jobsny@economist.com