Managing Editor – National Security Media

War on the Rocks

. Help oversee the publication and editorial process for commentary articles .

Posted 10/7/2026full-timeWashington • Washington • United StatesSenior💰 $115,000 - $130,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive editorial experience with a focus on defense and foreign policy, showcasing exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage editorial workflows effectively. Proven track record of producing high-quality written content under tight deadlines while collaborating with authors and colleagues.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Editorial ExperienceDefense and Foreign Policy ExpertiseAttention to DetailEditorial JudgmentOrganizational Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

WordsmithingEditingArticle EvaluationContent ManagementPublication Process Oversight

Soft Skills

CollaborationPatienceFlexibilityRigor

Certifications & Qualifications

Right to Work in the United States

Industry Keywords

U.S. Armed ForcesDepartment of DefenseDepartment of StateInternational RelationsStrategic StudiesMilitary Science

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Help oversee the publication and editorial process for commentary articles
Work closely with editors, contributors, and other members of the War on the Rocks team
Steward articles from submission through publication
Edit articles for argument, structure, clarity, and style
Manage editorial workflows and deadlines
Help maintain the quality and consistency of the publication
Work with authors who have deep subject-matter expertise and varying levels of writing experience
Evaluate arguments about strategy, defense, and foreign affairs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Five years of editorial experience, including serious and sustained wordsmithing
Minimum of five years of professional experience with defense and foreign policy issues, excluding graduate education and internships
Exceptional and obsessive attention to detail
Passion for developing, improving, and maintaining organized editorial processes
Proven ability to produce excellent work under short deadlines while managing longer-term projects
Exceptional command of written English, including the ability to make prose clearer, more precise, and more elegant
Patience, rigor, and sound editorial judgment
Ability to work collegially with authors and colleagues
Flexibility to take on a range of responsibilities as part of a small team
Right to work in the United States
Preferred: Experience in the U.S. armed forces, Department of Defense, or Department of State
Preferred: MA or other advanced degree in international relations, strategic studies, military science, or a related topic

Benefits

Comp & perks

Fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
Annual bonuses