Reporting to the SVP & Editorial Director, the Editor-in-Chief (EIC), Digital and Content leads the development of all content for digital platforms and works across the enterprise to define, oversee, drive and socialize AARP’s digital content strategies.
Leading a team of experienced editors, producers, and digital professionals, the EIC establishes a quality standard for all digital and print content produced by Content and Digital teams that reinforces AARP’s readership, reflects the interests and needs of the 50 plus demographic, reflects AARP’s brand qualities, articulates organizational priorities, and conforms to evolving digital content best practices.
With a sophisticated understanding of new technologies impacting media and content businesses, the EIC will chart the digital content future of AARP across multiple platforms.
The EIC oversees the building/development/leading of a team with sophisticated digital content capabilities and experience in order to implement the digital content transformation of AARP. S/he also oversees the design, production, optimization, placement and distribution of content for all AARP Digital properties that reflects AARP’s digital content strategy across all organizational platforms.
In leading the Content Team, the EIC also oversees the development of content from the content team staff when requested for the publications and augments publication content needs.
The EIC leads a team of talented editors and producers to fuel AARP as the top 50+ online destination in America and keeps the readership and membership satisfaction with the publications at the highest level.
General and Management responsibilities:
- Works collaboratively and helps develop overall content strategy and oversees fulfilling of content needs with demands of the digital platforms and AARP Publications, and collaborates with head of AARP Studios, VP Content Strategy and Communications and various AARP entities including Community State and National (CSN) and other business units.
- Manages a team of leaders who manage the daily responsibilities of digital platforms, news and AARP content, features content, research and copy editing, core digital content, and specialty content including speechwriting and opeds.
Digital Content creation responsibilities:
- Oversees the distribution of daily content across digital platforms, SEO, CMS, Program site, and coordinating newsletter content.
- Oversees the creation and management of core content on digital platforms.
- Oversees the creation of content from all content producers across the enterprise to ensure it conforms to the current, most effective digital content best practices.
- Oversees creation and optimization of daily news stories, service features and cross-platform extensions that reflect our digital content strategies and high content standards.
- Oversees development and optimization of core content in channels that reflect our organizational priorities.
- Establishes and leads a governance process that reflects AARP brand, organizational priorities, best digital content practices, and ensures that all content producers conform to it.
- Oversees development of content that reflects AARP voice and appropriate digital content standards in channels that have strategic marketing goals.
- Oversees development of digital content “voice” offerings, including podcasts, Alexa content, etc.
Content responsibilities (print & speechwriting):
- Oversees development of content by content team requested by editors of AARP Bulletin and AARP The Magazine.
- Oversees speechwriting team in their various activities including speechwriting for the E-team, developing message points, opeds, AARP bylined feature material for newspapers and journals.
- Works with E-Team members and the Secretary of the Board in preparing appropriate and timely public speeches.
- Position Complexity, Interaction and Impact
- Has a high degree of autonomy and exercises independent creative and managerial judgment of team and the content that is produced.
- Develops strategy for effective use of content across appropriate digital platforms.
- Challenges are multi-faceted from digital content strategy planning and development, managing workflow, working cross platforms, influencing decision makers, and collaborating to increase digital value.
- Effectively partners with Creative Director and Photography Editor on content design that conforms to most effective digital content design best practices.
- Effectively partners with Digital Strategy & Membership (DSM), advertising and all other business units throughout the organization.
- 15+ years digital experience including 10+ years of media management experience.
- Excellent news judgment relevant to AARP’s priorities and demographic needs.
- Excellent knowledge of AARP’s media and issues of greatest importance to organization and its membership.
AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.