Head of Editorial - The Chainsaw

Pedestrian Group is on the hunt for a talented and knowledgeable Head of Editorial to lead the team behind Australia’s first Future Internet and Web3-focused publication, The Chainsaw.

Reporting directly to the Publisher, this senior management role will be instrumental in shaping and building this publication, developing all aspects of the brand’s vision and presence in Australia.

The Head of Editorial will be responsible for ideating and executing a content strategy that attracts a large youth audience from the AI-curious to the blockchain enthusiast and positions the brand as an authority in emerging tech spaces, while ensuring that the output of the team meets the highest journalistic standards at all times. From its inception the Chainsaw’s mission has been to sort fact from fiction.

This role is an ideal opportunity for an experienced Editor—ideally with a background in tech and/or finance reporting and extensive newsroom experience—who has a strong understanding of all things AI, Web3 and Future Tech the various industries they are disrupting.

The right candidate will be an organisational and strategic whiz, with excellent decision-making and strategic skills, and an ‘out of the box’ mindset when it comes to both content creation and audience acquisition. They will know how to build and lead a team of journalists, and have a strong working understanding of Australian media law.

The Head of Editorial will be required to:

• Lead, manage and develop the brand’s editorial vision and brand presence in partnership with the Publisher
• Manage and mentor a team of talented writers and social editors, ensuring topics relevant to the brand’s core beats are covered with a high degree of quality on a day-to-day basis
• Identify both broad and microbeats the brand should own, leaning on audience insights to create paths for success
• Work with the Audience Growth Manager on an evolving audience strategy to deliver MoM/YoY growth across the site, social media channels and email databases
• Drive innovation across the brand’s distribution channels, ensuring the mix of content is timely, on brand, future-facing, and aligned with audience insights and growth initiatives
• Support commercial partnerships by identifying and creating new editorial packages and commercial formats and tent poles to help drive sales revenue
• Assist the team in building and maintaining a strong network of contributors around Australia who will produce top-tier commissioned pieces that are faithful to the brand and audience
• Represent the brand in the market as its biggest advocate and cheerleader, speaking at relevant events and on panels
• Undertake standard editorial duties (writing, editing, generating story ideas) as needed

The position calls for someone with:

• Min. 6 years experience in a senior leadership role, ideally in either a newsroom capacity or in content and audience development
• Experience in, and passion for, Future Tech and Web3 – with a finger firmly on the pulse of the latest news and developments in blockchain (preferred, but not mandatory)
• A track record of developing emerging reporters and writers across a range of beats, giving constructive feedback on ideas, stories, and style
• The ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment, reacting quickly and appropriately
• Exceptional editing skills, with an acute attention to detail
• Strong understanding of SEO and audience acquisition methods
• The highest journalistic standards and demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
• Tertiary qualification in journalism or a related discipline

This is a full-time role based out of Pedestrian Group’s offices in either Sydney or Melbourne.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing why you are the right fit for this role.

*About Pedestrian Group*

Pedestrian Group is Australia’s leading youth-centred publisher, reaching a unique audience of more than 4.16 million Aussies per month, and more 18 to 39-year-olds than any other publisher. It’s home to PEDESTRIAN.TV, VICE Australia, Refinery29 Australia, Lifehacker Australia, Gizmodo Australia, and Kotaku Australia, as well as Open Air Cinemas. It is wholly owned by Nine Entertainment Co., Australia’s largest and most diverse media company.