Senior Travel Editor (National Geographic)

Job ID 10156226 Location Washington, DC, United States / New York, New York, United States Business National Geographic Date posted Aug. 21, 2026

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Job Summary:

The Senior Travel Editor plays a lead role conceiving, assigning, and editing editorial travel content for National Geographic’s print and digital products, primarily National Geographic magazine and NationalGeographic.com. Working with an extensive roster of freelance writers and creators, he/she/they will develop ideas in a variety of forms and formats that can come to life effectively across platforms, with a particular focus on mid- to long-form narrative travel journalism with strong visual appeal. Additionally, the Senior Travel Editor will serve as editorial lead on developing and managing recurring travel series and franchises, including Best of the World, as well as on developing new and innovative approaches to our travel storytelling in formats like video and audio. He/she/they will play a key role representing the brand and its work at travel industry functions and events and with internal stakeholders and external brand partners. This is a great opportunity for an experienced travel editor to help a well-established brand in travel continue to evolve and modernize its approach to travel storytelling to effectively grow audience and engage them across multiple platforms

Responsibilities:

Conceive and pitch travel story ideas for National Geographic magazine and NatGeo.com in collaboration with freelance writers / creators
Commission, produce, edit, and prepare stories for publishing, working in collaboration with photo editors, designers, cartographers, infographics specialists, and digital producers
Define and shape our approach to narrative travel journalism, particularly as it comes to life in National Geographic magazine
Conceptualize, propose, and execute ideas for recurring travel series and franchises, particularly for digital and social platforms
Serve as lead editor on all installments of National Geographic’s annual Best of the World franchise, defining approach and components, soliciting ideas from internal and external collaborators, determine content for inclusion, and commission, edit, and prepare for publishing all associated materials, working in close collaboration with photo editors and video producers
Proactively develop and propose ideas for new approaches to travel storytelling across media types and platforms, including video and audio formats
Continually develop and expand our roster of freelance contributors, particularly writers as well as creators in the travel space
Collaborate with newsletter and social media editors on promotional and amplification efforts for travel content
Partner with sales and marketing on developing editorial ideas for partners/sponsors, both proactively and in response to requests for proposals
Partner with our UK travel publishing partner on editorial content development, with an eye to ensuring Nat Geo’s digital platforms have the appropriate mix of topics and geographies
Serve as key representative of National Geographic at industry event and functions, including public speaking as needed
Serve as media spokesperson for National Geographic and its travel content
Represent Nat Geo editorial and engage with internal stakeholders around cross-divisional brand initiatives spanning television, books, National Geographic Expeditions, and more

Basic Qualifications:

5+ years of experience conceiving, assigning, and editing editorial content in a media (editorial/journalistic) environment, working across both print and digital platforms
Experience with print production processes and methodologies, and the craft of editing for print, along with experience in digital editing and production and its associated needs (e.g., SEO, tagging)
Experience creating content for publishing and/or promotion in third-party platforms (e.g., newsletters, social media)
Experience developing and executing multi-component packages and recurring franchises, and a track record of making content that attracts attention and generates PR coverage
Refined eye for visual presentation and an understanding of what makes stories work visually for print as well as digital and social
Strong knowledge of the travel industry and its facets and experience with travel journalism, including narrative storytelling
Well-developed network of creative collaborators, especially freelance writers, and a keen understanding of exceptional writing and propulsive first-person storytelling
Exceptional written and oral communication skills and ability to present ideas fluently and with polish; experience with public speaking and/or media appearances strong preferred
Understanding of the evolving media landscape, including shifting consumer behaviors and preferences, and travel media and the overall competitive set for editorial content in the travel space
Collaborative spirit and the ability to work well across a matrixed environment
Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure and within budget and deadline parameters

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience developing and creating video-based content a plus
Knowledge of and experience collaborating with creators helpful but not required
Prior media training helpful but not required
Experience working within a large corporate environment

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Preferred Education:

Concentration in journalism or media helpful but not required

The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $95,500 to $128,000 per year and in New York, NY is $100,100 to $134,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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About National Geographic:

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between Disney and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with National Geographic Partners PAY SVC, which is part of a business we call National Geographic.

National Geographic Partners PAY SVC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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