Editor-in-Chief Naval History

Founded in 1873, the non-profit U.S. Naval Institute (located at but not part of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD) is an independent publisher for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. The Institute is seeking an Editor-in-Chief for Naval History magazine (first published in 1987; six print issues per year, plus online-only content). 

The Naval Institute’s team of 65 full-time employees is highly integrated across the book publishing, periodicals, news, events, and business teams. We work a hybrid schedule with employees in the office three days a week plus two days remote. There is significant flexibility in the schedule and hours, but all employees are expected to be in the office three days per week. 

The current Editor-in-Chief will retire in late January 2026, and we plan to hire his replacement by mid-November to provide full overlap and training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Reads and evaluates all incoming historical manuscripts
• Prepares slates for each issue of Naval History, edits articles, and coordinates the efforts of other contributing editors
• Ensures accuracy by fact-checking articles as needed
• Works with photo researcher to obtain illustrations and cover art
• Writes captions and subheads
• Works with design and production team to ensure quality design and efficient production of the magazine to meet deadlines
• Supervises online distribution and presentation of Naval History content - schedules and oversees the publication of online-exclusive articles each week
• Determines topic, researches and writes content, and supervises the production and design of every article
• Using U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard reports, oral histories, and other sources, researches and compiles or writes sidebars and/or brief articles to complement feature articles in the magazine as well as researching and writing text for informational graphics
• Commissions and/or solicits expert writers and historians to write original articles 
• Writes bimonthly column, “On Our Scope”
• Works with Web Director, Design Director, and EVP for Periodicals to ensure that Naval History has strong on-line presence, including on USNI’s web site and social media pages
• Serves as the host for two article-promoting podcasts per month
• Annually prepares an editorial calendar that specifies the main focus of each of the next year’s issues
• Actively participates in the development of Naval Institute conferences and events and supports the programs as required/requested
• Represents Naval History at conferences, meetings, and receptions as well as at other public events
• Coordinates the efforts of senior and associate editors as well as a photo researcher - seeks opportunities to expand circulation and revenues and maintain high level of scholarship in the magazine

• Strong background in writing, editing, proofreading, and historical research
• Personnel and project management skills required
• Strong knowledge of and interest in historical military matters, especially within the sea services
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, InDesign, Photoshop, online content management systems (such as Drupal and WordPress), and social media platforms
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, history, or associated field desired
• At least five years’ experience in editorial and magazine production
• Military experience and/or knowledge of military and naval history highly desirable
• Able to read, analyze, and interpret military-specific and historical manuscripts
• Ability to respond to inquiries from authors, vendors, or other Naval Institute departments
• Ability to write correspondence and material for publication that conform to prescribed style and format 
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, USNI Editorial Board, and members
• Strong editorial judgment required - able to read hundreds of manuscripts per year and select the best ones for publication
• Able to work with authors to help them improve and hone their ideas and arguments
• Able to provides advice to Publisher on editorial calls 
• Can see and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions - makes calls on editorial and art requirements
• Must be able to travel occasionally for research trips and seminars (up to two or three short trips per year) 

 The U.S. Naval Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled