Photo Editor & Operations Coordinator at The New York Times Wirecutter

About The New York Times and Wirecutter

The New York Times is committed to pursuing truth and helping readers gain a deeper understanding of the world through independent journalism. Our journalism reaches audiences globally through various platforms, including print, audio, and digital formats. Our business strategy emphasizes creating journalism so valuable that readers choose to pay for it.

Wirecutter is seeking a professional to serve as a photo editor and operations coordinator responsible for managing the photography workflow focused on the Wirecutter Store and editorial content. This role ensures photographers can dedicate their attention to creative shooting while logistical aspects, editing, and asset management are handled efficiently and consistently.

Role Overview and Responsibilities

• Coordinate shoot logistics by scheduling Store and editorial photography sessions, managing calendars, and providing necessary information to photographers.
• Arrange bookings of freelance stylists, models, and other contributors in collaboration with creative leaders and operations teams.
• Optimize studio scheduling and resource allocation to balance priorities between Store and editorial projects.
• Function as a photo editor by collaborating with editors and designers to choose images, develop visual stories, and maintain quality and consistency across Store product pages, collections, and editorial features.
• Maintain Wirecutter’s visual standards by ensuring Store imagery accurately reflects its reporting, testing, and branding voice.
• Offer clear editorial feedback to photographers and collaborators regarding image selection, cropping, and retouching.
• Manage everyday post-production tasks, including basic photo editing such as color correction and light retouching for Store and editorial photos.
• Organize and file photographic assets, ensuring images are tagged and easily searchable for reuse across multiple platforms.
• Deliver images and assets to cross-functional teams accurately and on time.
• Collaborate with marketing, commerce, and product teams to understand campaign timelines and asset requirements, aligning photo production with Store and editorial schedules to ensure essential visuals are available.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Store-related photography inquiries.
• Develop and document workflows from brief through shoot to content deployment, enabling non-editorial partners to understand and utilize Store visuals efficiently.
• Create and maintain checklists, templates, and procedural documentation to enhance predictability and productivity of Store shoots.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and suggest improvements to maximize photographers’ time dedicated to creative tasks.
• Demonstrate dedication to journalistic independence and uphold The New York Times mission throughout all visual work.

Qualifications

• Between three and five years of professional experience in photo editing, operations, or related visual roles within editorial, e-commerce, or media environments.
• Proven background coordinating photography shoots, managing workflows, or supporting studio or visual teams.
• Strong photographic editing skills and a keen eye for storytelling through images, including expertise in selecting, sequencing, and refining images to build coherent narratives.
• Proficiency with Photoshop software, alongside a solid understanding of asset management and file organization best practices.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple stakeholders and balance conflicting priorities using effective project-management and organizational capabilities.
• Over three years of collaboration with cross-functional partners such as editors, designers, marketing, commerce, and product teams, along with clear and diplomatic communication skills.
• Familiarity with studio operations including scheduling, knowledge of equipment, and experience working alongside photographers and stylists.
• Deep appreciation and commitment to Wirecutter’s mission, ensuring visual content maintains independence, rigor, and service journalism values.

Additional Information

• This position requires regular in-person work at our Long Island City studio in New York City.
• The role reports to the Creative Director of NYT Wirecutter.
• The position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.
• The annual base salary is fixed at $75,316.80 USD.
• Eligible candidates in the U.S. may also receive variable pay such as bonuses and restricted stock, with benefits including health coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with company match, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and professional development.
• The New York Times values diversity and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process as mandated by law.
• We promote fair hiring practices for applicants with criminal histories and provide resources for reporting fraudulent job postings.
• Applicants must refrain from using Generative AI tools for substantive content creation during application and interview stages to ensure authenticity.