Associate Editor, Backpacker

Backpacker is seeking an Associate Editor to lead and evolve our destinations coverage while contributing across digital storytelling, editorial operations, and social strategy. This role is ideal for a sharp, self-directed editor who can both execute and ideate, with a strong sense of what makes outdoor storytelling useful, inspiring, and shareable.

What You’ll Do:

Digital Editorial (90%)

• Own and manage Backpacker’s destinations section, including editorial planning, assignments, and publishing
  
  
• Lead a monthly all-staff meeting to review and assign destination-focused pitches from staff and freelancers
  
  
• Assign, edit, and produce at least two original destination stories per month
  
  
• Concept and build biweekly “trip packages” that repurpose and elevate archive content into compelling, useful guides
  
  
• Manage freelancers, including coordination and editing of a recurring monthly fitness column
  
  
• Contribute to skills, news, and feature stories as needed across the site
  
  
• Top-edit and line-edit articles to maintain editorial quality and consistency
  
  
• Source and pitch new story ideas informed by social trends, news, audience behavior, and team priorities
  
  
• Participate in video production, including on-camera appearances for both group formats (e.g., gear roundups) and solo explainers
  
  

Social (10%)

• Oversee and guide a social contractor, providing clear direction and feedback
  
  
• Write and schedule posts for high-impact or sensitive stories
  
  
• Monitor social channels and flag issues or opportunities to the Editor-in-Chief

Within 1 Month, You Will:

• Learn Backpacker’s editorial voice, workflows, and content priorities
  
  
• Take ownership of the destinations section and begin assigning stories
  
  
• Build relationships with key freelancers and contributors
  
  
• Begin contributing to the rolling story ideas pipeline

Within 6 Months, You Will:

• Independently manage the destinations editorial calendar and production pipeline
  
  
• Establish a consistent cadence of high-performing destination stories and trip packages
  
  
• Strengthen the freelancer network and improve workflow efficiency
  
  
• Contribute meaningfully to cross-vertical storytelling and video efforts

Within 12 Months, You Will:

• Elevate destinations content into a key traffic and engagement driver
  
  
• Identify new editorial opportunities and formats that expand Backpacker’s reach
  
  
• Serve as a trusted editorial voice across the brand
  
  
• Help shape broader content strategy through insights, performance, and storytelling innovation

What You Bring:

• 3+ years of experience in digital editorial, journalism, or content production
  
  
• Strong editing and storytelling skills, with a sharp eye for structure, clarity, and voice
  
  
• Experience managing freelancers and editorial workflows
  
  
• Ability to balance daily execution with long-term editorial thinking
  
  
• Familiarity with social media trends and audience behavior
  
  
• Comfort working on camera and contributing to video content
  
  
• Hands-on backpacking experience, with a strong understanding of the realities of planning and executing trips in the field
  
  
• Passion for outdoor storytelling and understanding of Backpacker’s audience

 

What We Offer:

Entirely remote jobs that could be performed in Colorado: Employees can expect to be paid a salary of  between $55,000 to $65,000. Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, Flexible Time Away,  sick leave, and more.  This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.