COMMERCIAL EDITOR

There are two broad types of story we run on The Spinoff: those created by our editorial team, and others that are worked on in partnership with our commercial partners. They are inextricably linked – our editorial output is only possible because of the creative and committed work of our commercial team. We also seek to create commercial content which has many of the same qualities as our editorial output – check out some examples below.

We’re recruiting an editorial leader to run the commercial output. It’s an exciting opportunity to join an innovative and high-performing team that makes an enormous contribution to the vitality of The Spinoff. It would suit a writer or editor with at least five years experience, someone who has aspirations within media and would like to understand the business from a different angle. Journalists currently working in comms who want to get closer to news again would also love this role.

The successful candidate will join a five-person team, and work with both The Spinoff’s writers and a wider freelance community. They will have a great sense of storytelling, and enjoy working with people and organisations to help bring their stories to light, as well as come up with editorial ideas that can be proactively pitched to organisations within Aotearoa.

Our partnerships team deliver campaigns that genuinely inform, explain and entertain. Here are a few examples of our latest work:

• We worked with Woolworths NZ on A Little Better Every Day, a docuseries released this year, sharing honest stories of New Zealanders overcoming personal and community challenges. 
• We brought Auckland’s after dark scene to life through The Nocturnalists series, following chefs, comedians, performers and punters as they showed us their favourite spots and what the city offers after 5pm. 
• We teamed up with Singapore Airlines for a dream flight upgrade that set us up for an unforgettable visit to Thailand. 
• We also ranked every Z pie and sampled standout burgers at Burger Wellington.
• Through the Summerset Third Age series, we looked at the world through the eyes of New Zealanders over 65, celebrating the richness and reality of life in that stage.

We are seeking an individual with a passion for helping clients reach their goals through storytelling. Responsibilities include:

Creative leadership

• Oversee the conception and crafting of world-class creative content for The Spinoff’s commercial partners.
• Drive ideation and editorial approach for new partnership opportunities in response to partner goals.
• Collaborate on the overarching strategy for The Spinoff’s commercial direction, along with the head of commercial and agency market lead, on a guiding document for CEO and board approval.
• Create and deliver partnership proposals aligned with The Spinoff’s editorial standards that are creatively compelling.

Editorial management

• Uphold The Spinoff’s editorial standards and maintain a cohesive narrative across diverse contributors.
• Commissioning: identify and commission skilled writers, photographers, illustrators and other contributors suitable for partnership projects.
• Writing: create effective content that highlights client goals and objectives through impactful storytelling.
• Proofreading: ensure the quality and consistency of content by providing thorough reviews and edits.
• Collaboration: work closely with clients and the agency market lead during the pitch phase, contributing ideas and editorial approaches for new partnership opportunities.
• Publication: implement written partner content on The Spinoff website, source imagery and brief design team for accompanying imagery.
• Copywriting: provide copywriting for client advertising on The Spinoff channels.
• Monitor partner content against KPIs.

Communication and collaboration

• Maintain strong and timely communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills and experience

• Candidates should have a minimum of five years’ experience in media. This could be a position for an established editor or an experienced writer ready to take the next step in their career.
• Knowledge of online content strategy and creation.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Creativity and the ability to think innovatively.
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills.

Next steps

Please submit your application via SEEK. All applications require a CV and a cover letter to be addressed to Eli Rivera.

Applications are due by 27 March 2026 but may close earlier if a suitable applicant is found.