What are the responsibilities and job description for the Rapid-Response Investigations Editor position at The Washington Post?
Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Join the future of news
We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.
About Our Team
The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.
Why This Role Matters
The Washington Post is seeking an accomplished, high-energy editor to help lead our rapid-response investigations team, driving accountability coverage on the most urgent stories of the moment.
This role is at the heart of The Post’s mission. The team is dedicated to producing high-impact, timely investigative journalism that holds powerful institutions, including the U.S. government, to account. The work will combine speed and depth, delivering revelatory reporting on fast-moving developments while maintaining the rigor and authority that define The Post’s investigative report.
We may hire an editor to lead the team, or to serve as deputy to the team leader. In either case, this individual will work with a group of award-winning investigative reporters who have been critical to some of The Post’s most incisive accountability work and will shape coverage that is ambitious, competitive and deeply sourced. We are looking for an experienced journalist who can generate ideas, move quickly on emerging storylines and collaborate across the newsroom to bring investigative muscle to breaking news.
This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.
What Motivates You:
The salary range for a deputy is $122,500 - $204,100; a team leader is $137,300 - $228,900. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the newsroom's recruiting team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.
Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.
Compensation And Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
Your story awaits. Apply today!
Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Join the future of news
We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.
About Our Team
The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.
Why This Role Matters
The Washington Post is seeking an accomplished, high-energy editor to help lead our rapid-response investigations team, driving accountability coverage on the most urgent stories of the moment.
This role is at the heart of The Post’s mission. The team is dedicated to producing high-impact, timely investigative journalism that holds powerful institutions, including the U.S. government, to account. The work will combine speed and depth, delivering revelatory reporting on fast-moving developments while maintaining the rigor and authority that define The Post’s investigative report.
We may hire an editor to lead the team, or to serve as deputy to the team leader. In either case, this individual will work with a group of award-winning investigative reporters who have been critical to some of The Post’s most incisive accountability work and will shape coverage that is ambitious, competitive and deeply sourced. We are looking for an experienced journalist who can generate ideas, move quickly on emerging storylines and collaborate across the newsroom to bring investigative muscle to breaking news.
This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.
What Motivates You:
- You are driven to hold powerful institutions to account on the topics that matter most right now.
- You thrive in fast-moving, high-stakes news environments where speed and rigor must coexist.
- You enjoy leading reporters and helping them produce their most ambitious work.
- You are energized by competition, eager to break news and set the agenda.
- You value collaboration and see partnerships across the newsroom as essential to great journalism.
- Help lead and manage a team of investigative reporters focused on rapid-response accountability journalism that resonates with readers.
- Generate and shape story ideas that respond to the most urgent developments in politics, policy and public life.
- Edit stories to the highest standards, sharpening reporting, framing and writing while ensuring accuracy, fairness and rigor.
- Collaborate with reporters and editors across departments to pair investigative expertise with beat knowledge. Work particularly closely with the Visual Forensics team.
- Guide reporters through complex sourcing decisions and uphold the highest ethical standards.
- Drive a steady cadence of scoops, enterprise and accountability reporting.
- Use audience data and performance insights to maximize impact.
- Ensure projects move efficiently from conception to publication, balancing urgency with depth.
- Foster a supportive, high-performing team culture that prioritizes development, collaboration and excellence.
- A track record of editing high-impact investigative journalism.
- Exceptional line-editing skills and the ability to shape complex stories with clarity and authority.
- Demonstrated experience breaking news and driving scoops across a range of topics.
- Proven ability to lead and develop reporters in a fast-paced newsroom.
- Deep understanding of investigative reporting techniques, including sourcing, public records and legal considerations.
- Strong collaborative instincts and experience working across teams and disciplines.
- Familiarity with audience data.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, respectful management style.
The salary range for a deputy is $122,500 - $204,100; a team leader is $137,300 - $228,900. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the newsroom's recruiting team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.
Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.
Compensation And Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
- Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
- Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
- Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
- Nine paid holidays and two personal days
- 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
- Robust mental health resources
- Backup care and caregiver concierge services
- Gender affirming services
- Pet insurance
- Free Post digital subscription
- Leadership and career development programs
Your story awaits. Apply today!
Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.
Salary : $122,500 - $204,100