Commissioning Editor
Commissioning Editor
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Overview
Microsoft AI is the organization within Microsoft that encompasses Copilot, Bing, Edge and fundamental AI. It’s designed to create the world’s most compelling and successful consumer artificial intelligence (AI) products and models. If successful in our mission to produce an AI companion for everyone, this will have a profound impact on society, changing everything from health and education to social relationships and work. Working from within MAI’s Futures team and operating out of the Office of the MAI CEO, we are now looking to establish a new leading publication with a distinct brand identity to understand this shift and discuss it in an independent framework.
We are looking for a seasoned Commissioning Editor to lead commissioning and editorial for the new journal—curating and cultivating compelling longform and shorter pieces from both renowned voices and emerging thinkers across the landscape of AI, tech, academia, journalism, policy and beyond. This is a role for someone who lives at the intersection of intellectual rigor and editorial instinct: able to spot the next great idea before it breaks, persuade high-profile contributors to join the conversation, and shape a distinct voice for the journal through elegant, provocative content. With a focus on written work but with scope for multimedia formats, the Commissioning Editor will craft a journal that earns its reputation through insight, clarity, and cultural relevance, capable of balancing the needs of Microsoft AI and a flourishing, distinct editorial vision.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees, we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
Starting January 26, 2026, MAI employees are expected to work from a designated Microsoft office at least four days a week if they live within 50 miles (U.S.) or 25 miles (non-U.S., country-specific) of that location. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
- Develop original topic ideas and thematic arcs balancing a range of needs. Identify and recruit leading and upcoming voices from academia, journalism, tech, and policy, cultivating relationships with the best writers, thinkers, doers and agents.
- Hit content targets for the journal on a limited budget, from initial idea or submission to final publication, maintaining a balance of longform depth and shortform agility across the calendar (with 12 longform pieces being the anchor, alongside a similar number of shorter pieces alongside op-eds and updates). Coordinate and own the editorial calendar, including thematic issues.
- Provide developmental feedback and editorial guidance pre- and post-submission, ensuring clarity, coherence, and originality in commissioned pieces.
- See that pieces make it live on the content management system.
- Help build a distinct, respected brand for the publication, representing MAI in the world of media and ideas. Contribute to the messaging, marketing and socials.
- Collaborate and sometimes lead on formats like podcasts, an annual print special, convenings, lectures and occasional video amongst others, ensuring cross-platform cohesion in brand, editorial standards and storytelling tone.
- Understand and own the engagement metrics for the core content.
- Apply yourself to a range of urgent questions, tasks related to comms, brand, events and editorial as needed across the Office of Microsoft AI’s CEO.
- Embody our culture and values.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications (RQs/MQs)
- 5+ years’ experience in digital content publishing/management, writing or editing at a leading publication
- OR equivalent experience.
- 5+ years’ experience in leading editorial strategy and content development, from ideation to publication and recruiting top contributors.
- 5+ years’ experience managing editorial calendars, providing developmental feedback, and ensuring cross-platform brand consistency across digital, print, and event formats.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications (PQs)
- Experience and/or interest in AI or technology more widely.
- Work on a publication with academic and thought leadership kudos and a strong digital presence.
- Track record of building a media brand from a starting position, with a demonstrable record of doing a range of tasks to ensure its success.
- Ability to collaborate across multiple teams and levels while also contributing to a positive work environment, fostering knowledge sharing and growth within the team.
- Journalistic experience.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Content Program Management IC4 – The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 – $234,700 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $158,400 – $258,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis.
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