Interim Editorial Director - Part-time Maternity Cover (3 days a week)

Are you a leader who thrives on bringing out the best in people? A strategic thinker who loves spotting new opportunities and finding creative solutions? Someone who can plan for the big picture while getting into the fine details, and knows how to guide a team at both? At Canvas8, we’re looking for an Interim Editorial Director with strong cultural instincts and extensive commercial experience to lead our global editorial team during a maternity cover.

In the role, you’ll be inspiring and leading a brilliant team of editors to elevate creative outputs and deliver impactful global insights across a range of formats. With a focus on realising a globalised research proposition, you’ll maintain and evolve the standards for narrative excellence, lead the ideation and pitching of new projects, processes and outputs, and be the go-to person for editorial direction across membership.

Responsible for leading the editorial vision for the year, you’ll balance long-term planning with day-to-day execution, making sure we meet the needs of our global members while staying commercially and culturally relevant. If you’re a collaborative leader with a love of strategic insight, storytelling and cultural analysis, this could be the ideal opportunity to make your mark.

About us

We are Canvas8, a strategic insights practice with offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Manila. We help our clients understand people so they can make better business decisions.

Our work investigates the hidden insights in everyday life – from the psychology of boredom to teenage make-up rituals to the dark side of millennial culture – and makes them meaningful for brands. Our team is a blend of disciplines and skills – from psychology to journalism and anthropology to behavioural economics. What unites them is a desire to understand people and a passion for delivering outstanding work.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Membership, you’ll lead a global team of five editors and work cross-functionally to ensure our content is relevant, high-quality, and aligned with commercial and cultural goals.

You’ll be responsible for shaping and executing our editorial strategy, leading the delivery of major content projects, and coaching the team to deliver best-in-class outputs. A key part of the role will be working with other team leads - from design to engagement - to ensure the delivery of creative, innovative, and useful insights that Canvas8 members can trust.

Day-to-day

• Lead strategic planning and projects around key cultural and commercial moments –whether that’s how to cover Super Bowl, directing our annual foresight project ‘Expert Outlook’ or leading the delivery of our cultural trends report ‘Best of Insights’
• Provide editorial direction across the business, collaborating with marketing, product, design, production, and commercial teams
• Manage and support a global team of 6 editors through weekly 1:1s, performance reviews, development, hiring, and resource planning
• Bring editorial direction and insight to client calls and events, and act as a senior leader and a face of Membership
• Review editorial project proposals, provide feedback, solve editorial challenges, and run team training sessions

About you

You’re a natural leader and mentor who thrives on supporting and motivating your team. As an educator and coach, you take pride in providing constructive feedback that helps your editors grow and produce polished, impactful work.

With at least 8 years’ experience in editorial leadership - ideally within a creative platform, B2B or insight-driven sectors - you’re highly organised and skilled at balancing strategic thinking with managing day-to-day delivery and deadlines.

Culturally aware and commercially minded, you’re adept at shaping ideas, and aligning editorial vision with business goals. You’re confident engaging with experts, clients, and stakeholders to uncover meaningful insights that drive value.

A confident communicator, you’ll be happy presenting to global creative agencies, discussing cultural trends with international brands and networking at industry events. You have a sharp editorial eye and a passion for turning complex ideas into clear, engaging stories.

Requirements

• 8+ years in editorial leadership, preferably in B2B, cultural platform or insights agency
• Proven experience managing and mentoring editorial teams
• Strong track record in creating and delivering editorial strategies tied to business goals
• Clear understanding of audience needs and content relevance
• Commercially minded with the ability to connect content to business outcomes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with senior stakeholders
• Skilled editor who simplifies complex ideas and ensures quality
• Experience working closely with product, design, and commercial teams
• Able to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and budgets efficiently
• Passionate about innovation and improving editorial processes

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Hybrid working with flexible start times
• 29 days paid holiday (including bank hols)
• Interest-free ‘Life Unlock Loan’ for lump sum payments (rental deposits, sponsorship etc)
• Access to physical and mental wellbeing support, including two ‘Mental Wealth’ days
• Pension, life insurance, cashback private health plan, and cycle scheme
• Summer Fridays, seasonal benefits, and staff socials
• A friendly and welcoming team (pooches included)

If you think this sounds like a good fit, please apply below by outlining why and attaching your CV.

Applications will close on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 .

At Canvas8, we believe in the power of diversity to drive innovation. We're committed to creating an inclusive space where every individual is valued. Join us in a workplace that celebrates differences—race, gender, age, and beyond—fueling our creativity and competitive edge. We actively seek diverse talents and provide equal opportunities, free from discrimination. Shape your future with us, where diversity isn't just a value, but a key to our success.