Application Guide
How to Apply for Deputy Editor, Intelligencer
at Vox Media
🏢 About Vox Media
Vox Media is a modern media company known for its distinctive editorial voice, digital-first approach, and portfolio of influential brands like Vox, The Verge, and New York Magazine (which includes Intelligencer). It's particularly appealing for journalists who value deep, explanatory journalism, digital innovation, and working within a network of respected publications. The company culture emphasizes editorial independence and smart, ambitious storytelling across platforms.
About This Role
As Deputy Editor of Intelligencer, you'll be instrumental in shaping the publication's editorial direction, with a primary focus on news and politics while overseeing coverage in business, tech, and media. This role involves hands-on editing, story assignment, team management, and ensuring the mix of breaking news, analysis, and long-form features aligns with Intelligencer's sharp, influential voice. Your work will directly impact the publication's daily output and its reputation for timely, intelligent commentary.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing overnight news and analytics to plan coverage, then assigning stories to writers and editing drafts—from quick news updates to longer features. You'd likely attend editorial meetings to discuss story ideas, provide feedback to writers, and ensure timely publication, while also mentoring team members and coordinating with other Vox Media departments as needed.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Vox Media Is Looking For
- Has at least six years of journalism experience specifically in news/politics (with overlap in business, tech, or media) and a proven track record as an assigning editor at a digital publication.
- Demonstrates a portfolio of high-quality reporting and commentary that matches Intelligencer's style—smart, timely, and often analytical or explanatory.
- Is an adept editor with experience across formats: from quick-turn breaking news to in-depth features, with strong headline-writing skills.
- Combines clear communication and organizational abilities with a talent for mentoring writers and managing daily editorial workflows under deadline pressure.
📝 Tips for Applying to Vox Media
Tailor your portfolio to highlight pieces that reflect Intelligencer's core areas (politics, news, business, tech, media) and its tone—analytical, sharp, and timely. Include examples where you served as assigning editor.
Research and reference specific recent Intelligencer articles or series in your application to show you understand their editorial approach and where you could contribute.
Emphasize your experience with digital publishing workflows, CMS tools, and analytics, as Vox Media is highly tech-forward.
Highlight any experience mentoring or managing writers in a fast-paced digital news environment, as team leadership is a key part of the role.
If possible, mention connections to Vox Media's broader network (e.g., familiarity with New York Magazine, Vox, or The Verge) to show you understand the ecosystem.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your editorial philosophy and how it aligns with Intelligencer's focus on news/politics and its explanatory, sharp voice.", 'Specific examples of your experience assigning and editing stories across formats (breaking news to features) and managing daily coverage.', "How you've mentored writers or improved a team's editorial output in past roles.", "Your ideas for potential stories or coverage areas that would fit Intelligencer's mix, demonstrating your understanding of their audience and brand."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read recent Intelligencer articles extensively, noting their tone, structure, and how they handle breaking news vs. analysis.
- → Explore Vox Media's other brands (like Vox, The Verge, New York Magazine) to understand the company's broader editorial network and culture.
- → Look into Intelligencer's key writers and editors, their backgrounds, and the publication's recent major projects or series.
- → Review Vox Media's public stance on digital journalism, audience engagement, and any recent company news or initiatives.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without tailoring examples to Intelligencer's specific focus areas (politics, news, business, tech, media).
- Failing to demonstrate hands-on assigning editor experience or showing a portfolio heavy on writing but light on editing/management.
- Showing unfamiliarity with Vox Media's brands or Intelligencer's recent work, which could suggest a lack of genuine interest in the role.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!