Job Title: Executive Editor

Department: Marketing Communications

Location: remote/virtual office within the Continental US

Reports to: Chief Marketing Officer

Direct Reports: Yes

Classification: Exempt

Position type: Full-Time Employee

Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $106,000 - $146,000 per year

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a growing non-profit (Military Service Organization (MSO)) with a history of delivering innovative solutions. We're the team that senior DoD leaders seek out when they want ground truth on issues facing our military families. Our team members are motivated individuals that help each other do remarkable things for military families to bridge the civilian-military divide every day. We deliver first-class solutions that transform the military experience for military family members. We operate in an agile arena where great minds come together to make life better for military members and their families. We focus on data-driven insights while understanding the value of spirited storytelling. And we do all this in a highly flexible, virtual environment with great benefits!

Are you ready to make a difference for the families of those who serve our great nation? We are the ideal match for the innovator, the out-of-the-box, strategic thinker who understands the value of social impact.

General Description

Blue Star Families seeks a visionary, mission-driven Executive Editor to lead the strategic direction, editorial integrity, and continued expansion of the organization's public-facing digital platform. This leader will define how Blue Star Families shows up in the world - shaping a cohesive editorial voice that advances the organization's mission, strengthens credibility, and deepens engagement with military families, partners, policymakers, and the broader public.

The Executive Editor owns the end-to-end content ecosystem: setting editorial strategy, overseeing content creation and governance, guiding storytelling priorities, and ensuring excellence across every outward-facing channel. This role also provides leadership in platform strategy, including CMS selection, site redesign, and digital experience enhancements..

As a fully remote organization, we rely on regular in-person gatherings to fulfill core business functions, including strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and culture-building. This role requires the ability to travel overnight several times per year to attend team offsites, leadership sessions, and company-wide events.

These events are critical to performing the essential functions of the role, enabling team alignment, effective decision-making, and strong interpersonal connection. Attendance and participation in these gatherings is a non-negotiable component of the position.

Key Job Functions

Editorial Vision & Content Strategy

Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel content strategy aligned with organizational priorities, growth objectives, and mission impact.
Define and steward a clear, distinctive editorial voice that communicates authority, authenticity, and empathy across diverse audiences.

Establish content pillars, story frameworks, and narrative arcs that elevate programs, research, partnerships, advocacy, and community impact.
Guide long-term editorial planning while maintaining agility to address timely issues affecting military families.

Editorial Excellence & Governance

Set and enforce rigorous editorial standards for accuracy, tone, accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical storytelling.
Oversee editorial workflows, including content planning, editing, fact-checking, approvals, and publication processes.
Maintain and evolve editorial guidelines, governance documentation, and quality assurance systems.
Ensure consistency and credibility across all outward-facing content.

Platform Leadership & Digital Evolution

Lead strategic decisions regarding content platforms, CMS upgrades, and website redesign initiatives.
Partner with digital and technical teams to enhance user experience, storytelling capabilities, and platform scalability.
Champion innovation in digital publishing formats and audience engagement strategies.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with internal departments to surface compelling stories and translate complex initiatives into audience-centered narratives.
Serve as a trusted editorial advisor to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Coordinate with external contributors, partners, and subject matter experts to produce authoritative, high-impact content.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

Lead, mentor, and develop content staff, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and excellence.
Recruit and manage freelance writers, editors, and contributors, ensuring alignment with standards, deadlines, and budget.
Assign and prioritize projects to balance long-term strategy with timely execution.

Audience Growth & Performance Optimization

Partner with marketing and digital teams to expand reach, visibility, and engagement.
Leverage performance data and audience insights to refine editorial strategy and distribution decisions.
Identify opportunities to scale content operations and diversify storytelling formats.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience, Skills & Background

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
8+ years of progressive editorial experience, including at least 3 years+ senior-level leadership responsibility.
Demonstrated success building and managing content strategies for mission-driven organizations, media outlets, or digital platforms.
Proven ability to establish and uphold rigorous editorial standards.
Experience leading editors, writers, and freelance contributors.
Exceptional writing, editing, and narrative development skills.
Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management abilities.
Experience with digital publishing platforms, content management systems, and analytics tools.
Strong project management capabilities, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Technological proficiency and comfort navigating CMS platforms and digital tools.
Ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events. These gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams. Participation is required as a core part of the role.
Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary to support key organizational initiatives.

Desired Experience, Skills & Background

Experience in military service or working in military-connected organizations.
Experience scaling content operations and audience growth for public-facing platforms.
Familiarity with membership-driven organizations.

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why Blue Star Families?

Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
Career growth opportunities
Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses
On-the-job professional development training
Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
Competitive salaries
Workplace flexibility

Blue Star Families

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