Executive editor, news, politics and sport

Guardian Australia is part of Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of theguardian.com. As a leading global media organisation, we are renowned for our pioneering independent journalism and our award-winning digital products.

We are seeking an executive editor to lead Guardian Australia’s coverage of news, politics and sport, and to oversee the planning, commissioning and editing of ideas. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role will help shape editorial strategy, oversee major events and sensitive coverage, and lead the newsdesk to deliver impactful, high-quality journalism in line with our editorial standards.

This role is being offered on a full-time permanent basis. This role is open to candidates based in Sydney. 

In this role you will…

• Lead Guardian Australia’s coverage of news, politics and sport, overseeing the planning, commissioning and editing of ideas 
• Help direct news conferences, ideas meetings and other meetings as required, to commission impactful, agenda-setting journalism in line with Guardian Australia’s strategic goals
• Be a key member of Guardian Australia’s senior leadership team, contributing to its editorial operations and strategy  
• Oversee coverage of major events, including elections and budgets 
• Be responsible for all department content that is published, with particular attention to sensitive issues and ensuring compliance with the Guardian’s editorial code
• Work with legal team on management of sensitive stories and risk
• Manage newsdesk editors, including national news editor and oversee their management of reporters, as well as carry out other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the newsdesk
• Edit stories and ensure all legal issues are resolved prior to publication
• Write weekend and other newsletters as required 
• Oversee newsdesk commissioning budget
• Help manage significant corrections/clarifications with readers’ editor, as necessary 

You’ll bring….

Knowledge and experience

• Significant experience (10+ years) editing and management experience in national newsroom 
• Expert grasp of key national issues
• Experience of managing editors and reporters to develop ideas on a daily basis and guide career progression 
• Understanding of diversity and inclusion issues 
• Good understanding of Guardian values: honesty, integrity, courage, fairness, and a sense of duty to the reader and the community 
• Excellent understanding of media law

Skills/behaviours

• A passion for independent journalism and an understanding of our editorial code and values
• Excellent writing, commissioning and editing skills
• Strong interpersonal and management skills 
• Efficient leader who is authoritative, resilient and adaptable
• Confident, assertive and diplomatic 
• Open to challenge and correction

About working at Guardian Australia… 

• Hybrid working 
• Employee assistance program (EAP) to support employee wellbeing
• Paid volunteer leave
• Dedicated diversity and inclusion employee groups, action plans (including our Reconciliation Action Plan) and cultural competency training
• Guardian digital subscription

For more information please view the full job description here.

This role is being offered on a full-time permanent basis. This role is open to candidates based in Sydney. 

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 26 August 2026

If you have application questions or if you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, please email australia.hr@theguardian.com

GNM Australia Limited (Guardian Australia) is proud to be a fair and ethical employer. Australian editorial minimum rates of pay by band and grade are outlined in the Journalists (GNM Australia Pty Ltd) Enterprise Agreement 2024 for roles that fall under its coverage. 

We believe that our role in the Australian media is to give a voice to the most marginalised people in society and value and respect all differences in all people — including people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from different social classes, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, and people with disabilities (seen and unseen). We believe that these communities must be centred in the work we do, bringing a new perspective and a diversity of thought. We also encourage flexible working and aim to create a work environment where all employees feel respected.