Arts Editor

The role

The FT is looking for an arts editor. Reporting to the FT Weekend editor, the arts editor is responsible for overall coverage of all art forms in the Life & Arts section of FT Weekend, plus a page of the daily FT each weekday, and a variety of special supplements (usually 12 a year) covering the art market. This highly skilled individual will be able to balance our coverage of everything from opera to gaming, fine art to TV streaming. They will be an imaginative commissioner, efficient editor and prominent ambassador for the FT’s well respected and market leading arts coverage. Moreover they will be able to steer it confidently through the continuous innovation necessary to keep up with these endlessly evolving disciplines and industries. 

In parallel with the print offering, the arts editor ensures the content and quality of online coverage, and works with colleagues to extend the range and interest of what we offer online. They oversee a number of media partnerships and play a leading role in events such as the Weekend FT festivals. They will also write interviews, features and occasional columns as requested. 

Main areas of responsibility include: 

• Commissioning FT coverage across all art forms from an international perspective: music from opera to rap; film; television; theatre; dance; visual arts across the range; architecture; video games, podcasts and more. Coverage takes the form of reviews, features, interviews, think-pieces etc. 
• Manage a team of three full time and two part-time colleagues to ensure smooth delivery of a fast-paced production schedule, with daily as well as weekly press deadlines in print and online. Good collaboration with picture editors and designers is a key part of the team operation.
• Manage a wide range of specialist arts writers across the world by nurturing expert and highly valued long term contributors and developing new voices. 
• Commission and produce special supplements focusing on the commercial art market, up to 12 a year, in print and online. The FT is the only newspaper anywhere that covers the art market in such depth and detail, and our supplements are highly regarded as well as highly profitable. Maintaining and managing several prominent media partnerships, with brands such as Art Basel and Frieze, collaborating closely with colleagues in the FT’s commercial and marketing departments and working with sponsors. This work includes attending events and speaking engagements around the art fairs.
• Public-facing and reputation-building activities include programming the arts content at the annual FT Weekend festivals. Facility and experience in chairing panels and moderating or contributing to live discussions is very useful. 

Essential requirements

• Extensive experience of commissioning and editing a wide range of arts coverage at the highest level
• Evidence of public standing and contacts within the sector 
• Demonstrable ability to work in a highly collaborative way across print and digital publishing
• Experience of team management
• Ability to manage conflicting deadlines, demands and priorities

To apply for this role, please submit a two page vision for the future of the FT’s arts coverage along with your CV and a cover letter.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Friday 31st May 2024. 

Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

How we work

Our hybrid setup means staff are expected to come into the office 3 days a week.

Our office is located across the street from St. Paul's Cathedral and is easily accessible from all corners of London. There are the main train terminals such as Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Blackfriars, City Thameslink or Waterloo all situated within walking distance or there are several tube stations within a few mins walk such as Mansion House (District or Circle line), St. Paul's (Central line), Bank (Central or Waterloo & City line) or Barbican (Central, Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan lines).

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs. 

Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please contact talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

About the Financial Times

The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.

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