About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive.

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values:

1. Continuously learn.
2. Act with intention.
3. Champion difference.
4. Inspire change.
5. Grow together.

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential.

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are

Reporting to the Editorial Director, we are hiring a Senior Editor who can move quickly and turn ideas into timely, engaging stories. In this role, you’ll write, edit, and shape content across our platforms, with a focus on fast-turnaround pieces that respond to news, search trends, and audience interests. You combine creativity with accuracy, ensuring every story is clear, compelling, and on-strategy.

This is a hands-on role where you’ll drive daily editorial priorities, partner with the Data & Analytics team to shape content based on performance insights, and collaborate across functions to surface new opportunities. You’ll also help write newsletters, repurpose existing content into new formats, and use AI tools responsibly to support faster production—while maintaining quality, credibility, and our brand voice.

This is a hybrid role that requires a minimum of three (3) days a week in our NYC office, with a focus on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

What you’ll do

• Write and edit content in different formats, making sure everything is clear, accurate, and fits our style and brand.
• Create fast-turnaround stories that respond quickly to news, cultural trends, and audience search patterns.
• Write, edit, and optimize onsite and off-platform content to follow SEO/AEO/GEO best practices.
• Find and pitch new story ideas that support our goals and connect with our audience.
• Write, edit, and select content for newsletters to make them as useful and engaging as possible.
• Play a key role in content packaging and repurposing, creating compelling multi-format stories and/or “content interventions” from existing assets.
• Leverage AI tools and ensure outputs are credible, fact-checked, and aligned with brand and ethical standards.
• Collaborate closely with the Data & Analytics team to monitor content performance (email, social, web), applying insights to refine editorial choices.
• Support editorial leadership (Managing Editor, Deputy Editors, Editorial Director) with execution of vertical and cross-platform strategy.
• Maintain brand voice and quality standards across all outputs, whether human-created or AI-assisted, safeguarding consistency and trust.

Must-haves

• Proven editorial experience (5-7 years) writing, editing, and curating content across multiple platforms.
• Strong newsroom skills, with the ability to lead quick-turn content production and manage daily editorial workflows.
• SEO knowledge, including optimizing content for search and discoverability.
• Generalist content expertise, capable of developing and packaging stories across topics and formats.
• Experience using analytics to inform editorial decisions, including monitoring email, social, and web performance metrics.
• Ability to research trends and emerging stories, translating insights into timely and compelling content.
• Collaboration skills, able to work closely with cross-functional teams, including production, analytics, and leadership.
• Experience using content management systems.
• Commitment to and passion for Understood’s mission.
• Committed to embodying and being a steward of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Nice-to-haves

• Newsletter experience, including writing, editing, and curating content for email audiences.
• Familiarity with multimedia content (video, audio, graphics) and cross-platform storytelling.
• Experience with AI-assisted content tools for research, ideation, or drafting.
• Understanding of personalization strategies, such as tailoring content to audience segments.
• Project management skills, helping to coordinate contributors, freelancers, and workflows across multiple content streams.
• Professional experience in disability, mental health, education, and/or parenting fields.

The base salary range for this role is minimum $100,000 - $115,000 maximum, depending on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports wellness for our team members and their families. You can learn more about our benefits and offerings.

Understood.org does not sponsor applicants for work visas or legal permanent residence, including providing assistance with OPT extensions.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Understood encourages individuals of all learning styles and ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability, to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to supporting this work.

Understood is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability (where the applicant or employee is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation), any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, stalking, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or that of persons with whom that individual associates, or any other legally protected characteristics.

For additional information on learning and thinking differences, including ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, executive function challenges, nonverbal learning disabilities, processing issues, and more, please visit www.understood.org.

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