Editorial Director, Hot Luck

Job Title

Editorial Director, Hot Luck

Overview

Hot Luck is seeking an Editorial Director to lead the editorial vision, content strategy, audience development, and multi‑platform growth of one of the most distinctive food and music festival brands in the country.

Reporting to Food & Wine and Hot Luck Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis, this role will oversee the development and execution of a year‑round content ecosystem that celebrates the people, culture, food, music, hospitality, and experiences that define the Hot Luck brand.

Positions may be based in New York City or Austin, Texas. Candidates will travel regularly to Austin throughout the year, with increased travel during festival planning and execution periods.

Hybrid: 3× a week in New York City. Remote: the role in Austin is fully remote with no in‑office requirements, though occasional office visits may be requested.

Accountabilities and Expected Results

• Develop and oversee Hot Luck’s editorial vision, content strategy, and storytelling across all platforms, ensuring a cohesive brand voice that reflects the intersection of food, music, hospitality, culture, and live experiences.
• Lead the development and growth of Hot Luck’s year‑round content ecosystem, including newsletters, social platforms, video programming, YouTube, audio initiatives, editorial franchises, and emerging audience channels. Establish measurable audience, engagement, and revenue goals for each platform.
• Launch and oversee original content initiatives such as a Hot Luck YouTube channel, recurring social video series, creator collaborations, live‑stream programming, audio and internet radio programming, and other extensions that deepen audience engagement beyond the festival experience.
• Partner with the Editor in Chief, General Manager, sales, marketing, and partnerships teams to develop editorially‑led sponsorship campaigns, branded content programs, and integrated marketing opportunities that align with Hot Luck’s voice and editorial standards while supporting revenue objectives.
• Lead editorial planning and execution for festival coverage, talent programming, chef and musician profiles, original features, newsletters, social content, video initiatives, and year‑round editorial franchises.
• Manage and mentor editorial staff, contributors, freelancers, creators, and production partners. Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development while fostering efficient workflows and strong editorial standards.
• Use audience, SEO, social, newsletter, video, and performance data to identify opportunities, optimize content strategy, diversify traffic sources, and expand reach across existing and emerging platforms.
• Represent the Hot Luck brand as editorial talent at events, panels, interviews, video productions, podcasts, radio appearances, and other public‑facing opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience.
• Experience launching or managing video‑first content initiatives, including YouTube programming, social video series, or creator‑led franchises.
• Experience developing newsletters, audience engagement programs, and subscriber growth strategies.
• Experience creating or overseeing podcasts, audio programming, radio shows, or other audio storytelling formats.
• Experience working with sponsorship, branded content, and integrated marketing programs.
• Experience in food, hospitality, music, entertainment, culture, or experiential event media.
• Demonstrated success building audiences across multiple platforms and distribution channels.

Travel

This role requires approximately 15%–25% travel, primarily to Austin, Texas, the home of the Hot Luck brand and its flagship festival. Additional travel may include new event locations, editorial shoots, industry events, media appearances, and strategic business opportunities.

Pay Range

New York: $110,000 – $130,000
Remote (Austin): $100,000 – $120,000

Benefits

People Inc. provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, unlimited paid time off, adoption assistance, donation matching, tuition reimbursement, life and disability insurance, commuter benefits, short‑term and long‑term disability, health savings and flexible spending accounts, family care benefits, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, 10–12 paid holidays annually, and generous paid parental leave.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of People Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodation requests can be made by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.

The Company participates in the federal E‑Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E‑Verify program, please visit