Managing Editor

About BADIL: The Alternative Policy Institute

BADIL is a rapidly growing hybrid think tank and investigative journalism platform housed within Triangle. Since 2022, BADIL has become a leading source of progressive policy analysis and reporting across West Asia, particularly on issues of governance, socio-economic reform, conflict, and justice. Our model blends rigorous research, data-driven storytelling, and compelling multimedia formats that engage a broad public audience.

As we enter a new stage of organizational growth with expanding readership we are strengthening our editorial engine to support consistent, high-quality output across formats. We seek a Managing Editor who can drive BADIL’s weekly editorial cycle, work quickly and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, and grow into a senior editorial leadership role as resources expand.

Position Summary

The Managing Editor is responsible for driving the editorial production cycle—from idea generation and commissioning through editing, publishing, and communications. This is a mid-level role designed for a strong editor with newsroom instincts who is ready to take ownership of deadlines, content flow, and quality standards in a fast-paced environment.

The Managing Editor will not be expected to set institutional strategy from day one. Instead, they will work closely with BADIL’s Directors, who will temporarily cover higher-level editorial vision. Over time, the Managing Editor will have a clear pathway to assume greater strategic responsibilities.

This role is ideal for a candidate who is hands-on, fast, organized, collaborative, and eager to grow within a mission-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

The Managing Editor will not be expected to set institutional strategy from day one. Instead, they will work closely with BADIL’s Directors, who will temporarily cover higher-level editorial vision. Over time, the Managing Editor will have a clear pathway to assume greater strategic responsibilities.

Core Editorial Leadership

• Manage the full editorial cycle for BADIL outputs, ensuring a steady, timely flow of articles, analyses, briefs, scripts, and multimedia content.
• Work closely with writers to develop ideas, refine angles, and strengthen arguments before drafting begins.
• Ensure that content remains accessible to general audiences while maintaining analytical rigor.
• Maintain BADIL’s editorial tone and voice across all platforms.

Quality Management & Support

• Review and move content through a workflow that comprises of a high volume of short- and medium-form outputs with speed and precision.
• Convert dense policy material into engaging, reader-friendly content.
• Occasionally draft short pieces, explainers, or narrative framing sections when needed.
• Strengthen writers’ abilities through constructive feedback, mentoring, and clear guidance.

Cross-Team Coordination & Workflow Oversight

• Serve as the central coordinating point between research/policy, graphics, translation, communications, and social media teams.
• Ensure handovers between teams are smooth and deadlines realistic but firm.
• Flag delays early and adjust allocations or priorities to keep the weekly schedule on track.
• Run key internal meetings and prepare editorial progress updates for directors.
• Work with communications staff to ensure each publication has an effective rollout plan.

Events, External Engagement & Coordination

• As BADIL increasingly participates in public debates and hosts thematic events, the Managing Editor will:
• Coordinate content linked to events (e.g., talking points, summaries, post-event briefs, messaging).
• Collaborate with directors on preparing materials for panels, workshops, and donor engagements.
• Ensure lessons, insights, or narratives emerging from events are converted into publishable content.
• Support the development of editorial packages around thematic or calendar-based events.

Quality Assurance & Output Standards

• Maintain consistency in structure, formatting, tone, referencing, and branding across all BADIL publications.
• Ensure factual accuracy, logical coherence, and narrative strength in published outputs.
• Uphold ethical and professional journalism and research standards.
• Ensure visual components (infographics, covers, carousels) strengthen—not dilute—content.

Contributor & Talent Management

• Guide internal staff and external contributors throughout the content development process.
• Clearly articulate expectations, briefs, deadlines, and revision notes.
• Assist directors in identifying and onboarding promising freelance writers or editors.
• Maintain a healthy, supportive, and collaborative editorial culture under pressure.

External Engagement, Representation & High-Level Communication

• Engage with senior external stakeholders, including policymakers, diplomats, parliamentary committees, civil society leaders, journalists, and partner institutions.
• Participate in events, conferences, roundtables, and briefings, where they may be called upon to present BADIL’s work, articulate key messages, or answer questions on behalf of the editorial team.
• Serve as a public-facing spokesperson when necessary, maintaining composure, accuracy, and strategic messaging in fast-moving or politically sensitive environments.
• Brief stakeholders, political actors, and donor representatives on relevant publications, findings, or thematic areas, ensuring that BADIL’s perspectives are communicated clearly and constructively.
• Support directors in preparing event interventions, talking points, public remarks, and narrative framing.
• Cultivate relationships with media, editors, and thought leaders, helping increase BADIL’s reach and credibility.
• Present BADIL’s editorial vision and outputs in a confident, authoritative, and accessible manner.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of combined experience in journalism, editing, research communications, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage editorial workflows and produce high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Strong line editing and story development skills across short and long formats.
• Solid understanding of politics, socio-economic issues, and public policy in Lebanon, Syria and the West Asia region.
• Excellent English writing and editing skills; Arabic proficiency strongly preferred.
• Experience working in fast-paced content environments (newsrooms, magazines, think tanks, digital media).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with strong organizational discipline.

Desired Qualifications

• Project management experience or familiarity with editorial calendars and multi-step workflows.
• Experience coordinating with design, social media, and translation teams.
• Ability to translate complex political or technical material into accessible public-facing content.
• Experience supporting or producing content for events, panels, or public discussions.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation aligned with the upper mid-level scope of responsibilities.
• A central, empowered role within a growing editorial team.
• A pathway to leadership as the organization’s capacity grows.
• Flexible working arrangements after probation.
• The opportunity to shape national and regional debates at a critical historical moment.

A test will be required as part of the selection process. The deadline for applications is April 9.