Associate Editor, Ideas

About the role

The San Francisco Standard is launching an Ideas section that will showcase ambitious, original arguments and perspectives on San Francisco, California, the West, and the cultural, industrial, and political forces that shape them. As an Associate Editor, Ideas you will work closely with the Ideas editor to commission, edit, and occasionally write pieces that explore topics ranging from public‑school policy to the AI boom and state politics.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and correspond with contributors and sources across San Francisco and California politics, culture, and technology.
• Manage the submission pipeline, ensuring a steady flow of pitches and drafts.
• Edit contributor submissions and commissioned pieces for argument strength, structure, clarity, and voice.
• Collaborate with the broader Standard newsroom on story development and editorial strategy.
• Write and report on topics as capacity allows.

Required profile

• Editing experience, preferably in opinion, ideas, or commentary journalism.
• Familiarity with the San Francisco and California political and cultural landscape, with existing relationships to relevant writers and contributors being a plus.
• A collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial attitude.
• Strong news judgment and a sharp eye for originality in argument and writing.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Comfort managing multiple submissions and deadlines simultaneously.
• Spanish‑ and Chinese‑language skills are a positive.