Deputy Editor

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Deputy Editor is the senior editorial leader of Playboy’s daily content operation — the editor who keeps the digital and print machine running at volume, pace, and standard while stewarding the franchise properties that have defined Playboy’s editorial voice for generations. Reporting to the Chief Brand Officer & Editor-in-Chief, this role is responsible for the daily editorial output of Playboy.com, the quarterly print magazine, and Playboy’s most iconic editorial franchises — including the Playboy Interview, 20 Questions, the Playboy Advisor, and Playboy Guides.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing daily publishing cadence at a major digital publication, a serious feature journalism background, and the strategic fluency to drive site engagement, subscription growth, and audience development — while helping make Playboy.com a genuine daily digital destination.

This role will work closely with partners in leadership (Art Director, Casting Director, VP of Growth, and Director of Audience) to bring Playboy’s editorial vision to life across platforms and initiatives.

What You’ll Do

The essential job duties below are specific to this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Core Responsibilities

Digital Editorial & Content Strategy

• Own and manage the editorial calendar for Playboy.com, ensuring daily content output meets brand standards for volume, quality, and cadence.

• Assign, edit, and publish digital content across all formats — features, service journalism, news, interviews, and franchise content.

• Develop and execute a content strategy with a demonstrated focus on growing site traffic, audience engagement, and subscription conversion.

• Apply SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and AI-assisted publishing tools to maximize content discoverability and search performance across traditional and AI-driven search surfaces.

• Track and analyze content performance data, using audience and traffic insights to inform editorial priorities, publishing cadence, and distribution decisions.

• Partner with the VP of Growth on subscription levers, traffic optimization, and audience development initiatives to support Playboy.com’s growth goals.

Print Magazine Editorial

• Oversee the editorial content of the quarterly Playboy print magazine — from concept development and story assignment through editing, fact-checking, and final delivery.

• Assign and edit long-form features, profiles, essays, and franchise content for each issue, maintaining the high editorial standard Playboy’s print edition demands.

• Partner with the Art Director and Casting Director on visual direction, talent selection, and the integration of editorial and visual storytelling.

• Manage print deadlines and production schedule in close coordination with design, production, and creative teams.

Editorial Franchise Stewardship

• Serve as the editorial captain of Playboy’s signature franchise properties, including the Playboy Interview, 20 Questions, the Playboy Advisor, Playboy Guides, and additional columns or columnists as they arise.

• Uphold the editorial vision, quality standard, and format integrity for each franchise — developing talent pipelines, editorial calendars, and thoughtful format evolutions as needed.

• Manage all franchise content across both digital and print channels, ensuring consistency of voice, quality, and scheduling, and partnering with Audience team on video adaptations when necessary.

• Identify and pitch opportunities for new franchises that deepen reader engagement and reinforce Playboy’s editorial identity.

Newsletter Strategy & Development

• Partner with the VP of Growth on the development, launch, and expansion of Playboy’s newsletter program — from concept and editorial positioning through subscriber acquisition and retention strategy.

• Develop distinct newsletter editorial voices and formats that drive open rates, subscriptions, and reader loyalty over time.

Team & Freelance Management

• Manage the editorial team day-to-day — staff writers, editors, and contributing editors — setting direction, priorities, and a high bar for craft.

• Partner with the Operations Team to streamline the editorial calendar and the contracts process.

• Build and maintain an active roster of freelance journalists, writers, and subject matter contributors aligned with the brand’s editorial needs and voice.

• Manage freelance assignments, pitches, contracts, and budgets with organizational precision and strong editorial judgment.

• Foster a culture of editorial excellence, creative ambition, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Performance Indicators

• Content Output: Daily and weekly story production vs. targets across digital and print.

• Site Traffic: Measurable growth in unique visitors, engaged sessions, and time on site attributable to content strategy.

• Subscription Impact: Contribution to digital subscription growth, newsletter subscriber development, and conversion rates.

• Search Performance: Improvements in organic search rankings and SEO/GEO visibility.

• Franchise Health: Quality, cadence, and audience engagement metrics for each editorial franchise.

• Operational Excellence: On-time delivery of print issues, newsletter sends, and major editorial initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

Skills / Abilities / Competencies:

• Exceptional editorial judgment with a strong, instinctive understanding of Playboy’s voice, brand, and audience.

• Proven ability to manage daily publishing cadence at a major digital publication, with consistent quality and volume.

• Deep expertise in content strategy, SEO, and digital publishing best practices — including working knowledge of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI-assisted editorial tools.

• Demonstrated track record of growing site traffic, audience engagement, and/or subscription bases through content strategy execution.

• Experience launching and growing newsletter programs, with proven ability to develop subscriber loyalty and editorial identity.

• Strong feature journalism background — a skilled writer and editor capable of handling long-form profiles, reported features, interviews, and franchise content.

• Significant editing experience across formats: features, service journalism, digital, and franchise editorial.

• Proven ability to build and manage a freelance contributor network, including assignments, pitches, rates, and budgets.

• Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously across short-lead digital and longer-lead print cycles without sacrificing quality.

• Strong collaborative instincts — able to work fluidly with art, creative, growth, and audience teams in an integrated editorial environment.

• Comfort and fluency using analytics and performance data to inform and optimize editorial decisions.

• Leadership presence — able to inspire and develop editorial talent while holding a high, consistent bar.

Education & Experience:

• 8+ years of editorial experience, with at least 3 years in a senior editorial leadership role at a major publication or digital media brand.

• Feature journalism background with a strong portfolio of published long-form editorial work.

• Demonstrated experience managing daily digital publishing cadence and a roster of freelance contributors.

• Experience overseeing or contributing to a print publication editorial process.

• Familiarity with CMS platforms, SEO and analytics tools, and newsletter platforms (e.g., Substack, Beehiiv, Mailchimp, or similar).

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience.

What We Offer

• Competitive Medical/Dental/Vision insurance plans with FSA/HSA and Dependent Care FSA options

• Generous Family and Parental Leave Policy

• Pet Insurance for those who need it too!

• Dedicated Health and Wellness resources including Employee Assistance Program

• Pretax Transportation/Commuter Benefits options

• Employee Resource Groups

• 401K program with Company match

• Flexible Time Away Plan

• Dynamic, inclusive workplace culture focused on innovation, impact, and employee well-being

What You’ll be Part of

Playboy is one of the most recognizable, iconic brands in the world that started as a culture-driving, boundary-pushing magazine over 70 years ago. Today, Playboy is a consumer lifestyle business with digital and physical products available in 180 countries across entertainment, events, fashion, lifestyle, sexual wellness, consumer products and more. Our mission—to create a culture where all people can pursue pleasure—is built upon decades of creating groundbreaking media and hospitality experiences and fighting for cultural progress rooted in the core values of equality, freedom of expression, and the idea that pleasure is a fundamental human right. Playboy’s sister company, Honey Birdette, is a rapidly growing luxury lingerie and sexual wellness brand with retail outlets across the US, Australia, and the UK.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Please note this job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature, level, and expectation of the work to be performed. It is not designed to cover a complete list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties and responsibilities or activities associated with this position, as they may change at any time, with or without notice.

Playboy is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. The right talent for us innately embodies our values. Come as you are.

Job Conditions

Individuals applying for this position should understand that Playboy’s brands are focused on creative freedom, artistic expression, and sex positivity. As a result, the business concept is based partly on sex appeal, nudity, and/or sexual wellness products, which means that employees may be exposed to: individuals in sexy and/or sexually provocative clothing, either in person or in photographs or videos; lewd and/or obscene language; depictions of lewd, risqué, intimate or explicit acts or behaviors; conversations and discussions about sex, sexuality and the human anatomy; conversations and discussions where vulgar language may be used, and where sexual jokes and innuendo may be expressed in their presence (collectively the “Conduct”). While individuals should not apply for this position if they find a work environment as described above to be offensive, intimidating, hostile or unwelcome, nothing herein shall prevent them from notifying the Company immediately if they are exposed to conduct of any type–and at any time–with which they feel uncomfortable.