Lead Editor – Defence Vertical

     Lead Editor – Defence Vertical - (F/H/X)

Euronews

Euronews is Europe’s leading international news channel as well as a full multimedia platform for viewers on the move. Euronews covers world news 24/7 in 17 languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Romanian, Serb, Georgian, Bulgarian, and Albanian. Euronews TV is available to more than 400 million households in 160 countries via cable, digital satellite and terrestrial windows. Euronews properties also include websites, mobile apps, smart TV, and social media.

Founded in 1993, Euronews is an independent and multi-platform media hub. Euronews covers news worldwide, offering a unique perspective on events through factual analysis. 500 journalists, from more than 30 countries, report round-the-clock for 12 editions and 5 affiliates editions.

Euronews also offers its expertise worldwide: in Europe with its affiliates channels Euronews Georgia, Euronews Albania, Euronews Serbia, Euronews Romania, bringing the total number of languages covered by Euronews to 17; and in Africa with its sister channel Africanews, first pan-African multilingual news channel.

Job summary

The Lead Editor is responsible for the strategic direction, editorial planning, and day-to-day operations of the new Euronews Defence vertical that will launch in January 2027. This senior editorial role is pivotal in maintaining and growing the brand’s visibility, reputation, and audience engagement, and will be a guardian of Euronews’ fundamental editorial values and Editorial Charter.

The role is based in Brussels, the location of the Euronews editorial HQ, and we are looking for someone able to physically work in Brussels for the following strategic reasons:

- Strategic proximity to EU institutions and NATO: Brussels is the hub for European defence policymaking, security governance, and transatlantic cooperation. Its unique position as home to both EU institutions and NATO Headquarters gives us direct, real-time access to breaking developments, key decision-makers, defence ministers, and senior military officials.

- Enhanced collaboration with core editorial teams: Being physically present in the main Euronews Brussels newsroom fosters daily collaboration and integration with other critical editorial teams, especially the EU policy and foreign affairs desks.

- Direct access to sources and events: Brussels regularly hosts high-profile NATO summits, EU defence councils, parliamentary hearings, and industry briefings related to defence and security. A Brussels-based Lead Editor can directly attend, network, and secure exclusive interviews, enhancing the depth and immediacy of our coverage.

- Deepening the European perspective: The “Defence” vertical covers stories with a strong European and transatlantic dimension. Being in Brussels allows the Lead Editor to cultivate a deeper understanding of the diverse European security landscape, its challenges, and the strategic responses emerging from within, enriching the content’s relevance for a European and global audience.

The Lead Editor will work with a dynamic team of journalists, ensure the delivery of compelling and authoritative journalism, and collaborate with commercial and marketing teams to drive traffic and partnerships.

Your role, as the Lead Editor assigned to the Euronews Defence Vertical, will be to:

Editorial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the editorial vision for the Euronews Defence Vertical in line with company goals.

• Plan and oversee a robust content calendar that aligns with geopolitical developments, policy cycles, audience interests, SEO performance, and major defence industry events.

• Define key audience growth metrics and work closely with the data/analytics team to monitor performance and adjust content strategy accordingly.

• Help hire our future defence and security team, define conceptual priorities and ensure quality control across all content released.

Content Oversight

• Commission, edit, and publish engaging, high-quality content that drives traffic and engagement on Euronews Defence.

• Write original articles and features as needed, with a focus on quality, accuracy, and geopolitical impact.

• Manage and expand a network of expert freelance contributors — including analysts, former officials, and field correspondents — ensuring consistent tone, style, and editorial standards.

• Oversee all aspects of content production including oversight of Defence video content.

Budget & Workflow Management

• Ensure the department’s budget is deployed to maximise impact and never exceeds its target.

• Help with the hiring of a small in-house editorial team and maintain daily editorial workflows to meet publishing deadlines.

• Provide feedback, mentoring, and support to future team members and freelance writers.

• Collaborate with other vertical leads and editorial teams to share best practices and align cross-platform content opportunities.

Industry Engagement & Representation

• Represent Euronews Defence at key industry events, defence exhibitions (e.g. Eurosatory, DSEI, MSPO), NATO events, and media briefings.

• Maintain strong relationships within the defence and security sector in Brussels and around the world to enhance editorial offerings and secure exclusives.

Commercial & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as the main editorial point of contact for Sales and Commercial teams for Euronews Defence.

• Contribute to branded content campaigns and sponsored opportunities without compromising editorial integrity.

• Participate in monthly meetings with the Sales/Commercial teams to align editorial and commercial strategies.

• Attend weekly editorial leadership meetings and contribute to broader content and business strategy discussions.

• Coordinate with design, video, and social teams to ensure cohesive storytelling across platforms.

• In the absence of other vertical leads, provide interim support when necessary.

Success in this role requires an inspirational leader with diverse experience in making first-class defence and security content. You will need to be a superb communicator and motivator, able to inspire during times of heavy workloads and demanding news cycles. A diplomatic approach to dealing with sensitive sources, institutions, and partners is essential. The list above is not all encompassing, and the individual who undertakes this role will be expected to undertake a wide range of tasks when called upon by Euronews.

Profile required:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in digital journalism or editorial leadership, in the defence, security, or geopolitics space.

• Demonstrated ability to grow and engage digital audiences through high-quality, authoritative content.

• Strong editorial judgment and deep understanding of SEO, analytics tools (e.g. Chartbeat) and digital publishing platforms (e.g. Dalet Pyramid).

• Excellent writing, editing, and commissioning skills, with experience covering complex political and military topics.

• Experience of overseeing high-quality short-form video production.

• Proven experience managing journalists, analysts, freelancers, and cross-functional editorial teams.

• Strong organisational and project management skills.

• Comfortable representing the brand in both editorial and industry-facing settings, including high-level institutional environments.

• A passion for defence and security with deep expertise and knowledge of European defence policy, NATO affairs, and military technology.

• Ability to think strategically while maintaining strong attention to editorial detail.

• Flexible, collaborative, and entrepreneurial spirit.

• Ability to speak a European language is important, ideally French.

• Educated to degree level.