Features Director, Esquire

Job Description

Features Director, Esquire

Why This Role?

Esquire is looking for a visionary Features Director to lead the brand’s most ambitious and culturally resonant storytelling across digital, print, and emerging platforms. This is a rare opportunity to shape the voice of a legacy brand through deeply reported narratives, tentpole packages, and longform features that drive national conversation and define cultural authority.

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)

Hearst Magazines’ portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U.S.—including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Popular Mechanics — inspires, entertains, and builds new and bold experiences for an engaged and growing audience across digital, video, social and print, reaching nearly 130 million readers and site visitors each month. With sophisticated content creation, cutting-edge technology, and industry-leading data capabilities, we make media and products that move people across all platforms. We are a global media company that publishes nearly 200 magazine editions and 175 websites around the world—and together, we are shaping what’s next.

Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)

• Commission, edit, and guide high-profile features, cover stories, and narrative journalism packages that embody Esquire’s authority in culture, politics, style, and the arts.
• Develop and execute longform editorial strategy across Esquire’s digital and print platforms, ensuring a balance of ambition, creativity, and timeliness.
• Cultivate relationships with established writers while discovering and developing new talent that reflects a wide range of perspectives and voices.
• Collaborate with design, photography, and digital teams to elevate storytelling presentation across formats.
• Partner with audience development, SEO, and social teams to ensure maximum reach and engagement for Esquire’s biggest stories.
• Work closely with senior leadership on tentpole editorial projects, awards submissions, and brand-defining features.
• Identify opportunities to expand storytelling across emerging platforms, including podcasts and live events.
  
  

Qualifications (What We’re Looking For)

• Accomplished editor with 8–10 years of experience commissioning and editing narrative features and cover stories at a major media brand.
• Strong editorial judgment and journalistic rigor, with a sharp eye for cultural trends and storytelling that resonates.
• Experience working with marquee writers and emerging voices, providing editorial vision and support throughout the process.
• Adept at managing complex editorial projects from ideation through execution.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work across departments including design, digital, and audience teams.
• Passion for Esquire’s mission to define modern culture, style, and storytelling.
• This role is based in New York City and follows a hybrid schedule: 4 days per week in the office.
  
  

What We Offer

• Work with the Best: Collaborate with top-tier professionals across media, advertising, tech, fashion, lifestyle, and publishing, shaping the future of these dynamic industries.
• Grow Your Skills: Unlock your potential with access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops, and exclusive industry events.
• Work-Life Harmony: Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, empowering you to balance professional success with personal priorities.
• Foster Connection & Belonging: Join our Employee Resource Groups and help create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
• Wellness First: Prioritize your well-being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance from Day 1.
• Plan for Your Financial Future: Enjoy competitive financial perks, including a 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
  
  

Compensation

The base salary for this role is between $116,000 - $140,000. The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Hearst is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.