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Rapid-Response Investigations Editor

Washington Post

Rapid-Response Investigations Editor

Washington Post

DC-Washington-TWP Headquarters

·

On-site

·

Full-time

·

2d ago

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 Samplesto 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.

How You’ll Support the Mission:

  • 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.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:

  • 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.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé and a cover letter to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 26 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Investigations Editor David Fallis and Deputy Editor for Investigations Eric Rich.

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

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

Your story awaits. Apply today!

Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.

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About Washington Post

Washington Post

A news publishing company that provides insights on topics such as politics, lifestyle, climate, technology, and more.

1,001-5,000

Employees

Washington

Headquarters

Reviews

3.6

1 reviews

Work-life balance

3.0

Compensation

3.0

Culture

2.5

Career

2.5

Management

2.0

25%

Recommend to a friend

Pros

Has initial screening process in place

Cons

Delayed decision timeline

Poor communication during interview process

Long wait times without feedback

Salary Ranges

386 data points

Junior/L3

Mid/L4

Junior/L3 · Reporter

42 reports

$76,232

total per year

Base

$76,232

Stock

-

Bonus

-

$44,215

$133,534

Interview experience

2 interviews

Difficulty

3.5

/ 5

Duration

14-28 weeks

Offer rate

50%

Experience

Positive 0%

Neutral 50%

Negative 50%

Interview process

1

Application Review

2

Recruiter Screen

3

Take-home Project/Assessment

4

Technical Interview

5

Team Matching

6

Offer

Common questions

Data Analysis/SQL

Behavioral/STAR

Technical Knowledge

Past Experience

Culture Fit