Sr. Editor, App Product Strategy | Lonely Planet (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Editor, App Product Strategy | Lonely Planet (Contract) Company: Red Ventures Location: Dublin, Ireland Job Type: Contract Category: Editorial / Product Operations Date Posted: August 06, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the content strategy and execution for Lonely Planet's new mobile application, bridging the gap between editorial vision and product delivery.
• The position requires a blend of strong editorial acumen, robust project management capabilities, and a solid understanding of digital product development lifecycles, with a focus on content operations and workflow optimization.
• The Sr. Editor will be instrumental in managing the editorial calendar, ensuring content quality, and overseeing freelance resources to meet app launch and ongoing content needs.
• This role demands close collaboration with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Business Development to ensure content is strategically aligned with business objectives and user experience goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title suggests "Sr. Editor," the responsibilities and emphasis on product strategy, CMS, and cross-functional partnership strongly indicate a role within a "Product Operations" or "Content Operations" framework, focusing on the operational aspects of content within a digital product. The "strategy" component also aligns with driving operational efficiency and effectiveness for content within the app.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Content Strategy Development & Execution: Define, develop, and implement the overarching content strategy for the Lonely Planet app, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, user engagement goals, and business objectives. This involves close collaboration with Senior Content Leadership and Product stakeholders to translate strategic vision into actionable content plans.
• Editorial Calendar Management: Create and manage a detailed editorial calendar for the app product, overseeing the allocation of resources (in-house and freelance) for content creation, editing, and timely delivery. This includes setting and tracking key content milestones and deadlines to ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience.
• Editorial Process Oversight: Take ownership of the end-to-end editorial workflow, encompassing rigorous proofreading, fact-checking, and maintaining content accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand standards. Implement quality assurance processes to uphold the integrity of all published content.
• Process Documentation & Improvement: Develop, update, and implement comprehensive process documentation and onboarding materials for both the in-house editorial team and freelance contributors. Proactively identify inefficiencies within existing documentation and content workflows, proposing and implementing improvements to enhance operational clarity and effectiveness.
• CMS Management & Training: Become an expert user of the company's Content Management System (CMS), leveraging this expertise to train internal staff and freelance editors. Collaborate closely with the CMS development team, participating in sprint planning, providing feedback, and coordinating with project managers to drive CMS enhancements and streamline content publishing workflows.
• Freelancer & Budget Management: Manage all aspects of freelance editorial support, including scheduling, performance tracking, task assignment, budget oversight, Purchase Order (PO) management, and invoice approval. Ensure efficient utilization of external resources to support content production goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong operational oversight regarding content creation, quality assurance, and resource management within a digital product context. The emphasis on "process documentation," "CMS management," and "freelancer management" points to a role that is deeply involved in the operational execution of content strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, or a related field is typically expected for editorial roles of this nature, providing a foundational understanding of content principles and communication.

Experience:

• Proven experience in content creation, editing, and publishing, with a preference for candidates who have worked within the lifestyle or travel media sector.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing editorial strategies for digital platforms, including a strong understanding of content lifecycle management and best practices.
• Previous experience working within a product development environment, ideally with digital products or applications, is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Content Strategy & Editorial Excellence: Ability to define and implement compelling content strategies, coupled with exceptional editing, proofreading, and fact-checking skills to ensure high-quality, accurate, and on-brand content.
• Project & Workflow Management: Strong project management and organizational skills to effectively manage editorial calendars, deadlines, and the end-to-end content creation process, ensuring operational efficiency.
• CMS Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency with Content Management Systems (CMS). Experience with Contentful is highly desired, indicating a need for practical application of CMS functionalities for content publishing and management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, including editorial, product, design, and technical stakeholders, fostering seamless workflow integration.
• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: High adaptability to thrive in a fast-evolving digital environment, coupled with strong problem-solving skills to address challenges in content production and workflow.

Preferred Skills:

• Digital Product Lifecycle Understanding: Familiarity with the product development lifecycle, including user experience (UX) principles and how content integrates into the overall product offering.
• Visual Content Acumen: Understanding of design principles and photography, and how to effectively package content for visual impact within a digital application.
• Freelancer Management Expertise: Experience in managing freelance teams, including contract negotiation, performance evaluation, and budget tracking, essential for scaling content operations.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile or Scrum methodologies, as indicated by participation in "spring planning meetings," which is beneficial for working within product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on CMS proficiency (specifically Contentful), project management for content delivery, and cross-functional collaboration with product teams strongly suggests the need for a candidate who understands the operational aspects of digital content and can bridge editorial expertise with product execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Content Strategy Case Studies: Examples demonstrating the development and execution of content strategies for digital platforms, showcasing how content was planned, created, and optimized to meet specific user or business goals.
• Editorial Workflow Samples: Documentation or examples of editorial processes managed, including quality assurance steps, content review cycles, and version control, highlighting an understanding of operational rigor.
• CMS Implementation/Usage Examples: (If applicable) Demonstrations of experience working with CMS platforms, illustrating how content was structured, published, and managed through the system. Specific mention of Contentful experience is a significant plus.
• Project Management Artifacts: Samples of editorial calendars, project plans, or workflow diagrams that illustrate effective organizational and project management skills applied to content production.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in designing, documenting, and improving content workflows, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and quality control.
• Onboarding & Training Materials: Evidence of creating onboarding guides, style guides, or training materials for editorial teams or freelancers, demonstrating a commitment to operational clarity and consistent execution.
• Performance Measurement: Examples of how content performance was tracked, analyzed, and reported, linking editorial efforts to key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to app engagement or business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the responsibilities heavily imply that candidates will be evaluated on their ability to manage and improve content processes. Therefore, showcasing examples of workflow design, process documentation, and CMS utilization will be critical for demonstrating operational competence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Ireland Compensation Range: €85,000 – €90,000 per annum.
• This range is competitive for a mid-to-senior level editorial/product strategy role in Dublin, reflecting the contract nature and the specialized skills required, particularly in digital publishing and CMS management.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Insurance scheme
• Pension scheme with employer match of 5%
• Group Life & Permanent Health Insurance
• Mental Health Benefits

Working Hours:

• The role requires a hybrid schedule, working in the Dublin office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with fully remote work on Mondays and Fridays. This implies a standard full-time work week (approximately 35-40 hours), with specific in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for the Dublin market for a role with these responsibilities. The benefits package is comprehensive for a contract position, offering a good level of support for employee well-being. The hybrid structure is clearly defined.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Travel Media & Digital Publishing: Red Ventures operates in the digital media space, with Lonely Planet specifically focused on travel content. This industry is characterized by a fast-paced, dynamic environment driven by digital trends, user engagement, and evolving content consumption habits.
• Implications for Operations: This means a strong emphasis on agility, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to adapt content operations quickly to market changes and technological advancements.

Company Size:

• Red Ventures is a large, diversified digital media company with thousands of employees globally. Lonely Planet, as a brand within Red Ventures, likely operates with a dedicated team but benefits from the resources and infrastructure of a larger organization.
• Implications for Operations: Working within a larger corporate structure means opportunities for collaboration across various departments and access to established operational frameworks, but also requires navigating larger organizational processes.

Founded:

• Red Ventures was founded in 2000. This long history indicates a stable and established company with a proven track record in digital business.
• Implications for Operations: The company's longevity suggests a mature operational foundation, with established processes and a culture that has evolved over time.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The Sr. Editor will likely be part of the Lonely Planet editorial team, which is a subset of Red Ventures' broader content and product operations. This team will include other editors, content creators, and potentially content strategists.
• Operations Team Aspect 2: The role reports to the Editorial Director, indicating a clear reporting line within the editorial hierarchy. Collaboration will extend to the Product Management team responsible for the app's development.
• Operations Team Aspect 3: Cross-functional collaboration is a key requirement, involving close partnerships with Product Leads, developers, marketing specialists, and potentially business development or analytics teams to ensure content strategy aligns with overall app success.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1: A data-driven approach is implied, as content strategies in digital products are typically informed by user analytics, engagement metrics, and A/B testing results.
• Operations Process 2: Workflow planning and optimization will be critical, focusing on efficient content creation, publishing, and maintenance within the app's ecosystem.
• Operations Process 3: Automation and efficiency practices are likely encouraged, especially concerning content updates, CMS management, and potentially the use of tools to streamline editorial tasks.

Company Website:

• https://redventures.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Red Ventures as a large digital media entity provides context for the scale and potential operational frameworks the Sr. Editor will engage with. The emphasis on digital publishing and travel content highlights the need for agile content operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned at a Mid-to-Senior level, requiring significant experience in editorial strategy, content management, and project execution. It's a step beyond a junior editor role, demanding strategic input, process ownership, and the ability to manage complex workflows and external resources.

Reporting Structure:

• The Sr. Editor reports directly to the Editorial Director. This signifies a key role within the editorial leadership structure, with direct responsibility for a critical product component (the app). Collaboration with Product teams is also integral to the role's success.

Operations Impact:

• The Sr. Editor's work directly influences the user experience and engagement within the Lonely Planet app. By shaping the content strategy and ensuring its quality and relevance, they contribute significantly to user acquisition, retention, and overall app success. This directly impacts the brand's perceived value and its ability to drive business objectives, such as subscriptions or ad revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in digital product operations, specifically focusing on content strategy execution within a mobile application environment. This includes gaining hands-on experience with advanced CMS functionalities and potentially contributing to product roadmap discussions.
• Industry Specialization: Further specialization in travel media and digital publishing operations, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in this sector.
• Leadership Potential: The role involves managing freelancers and collaborating closely with senior stakeholders, providing a pathway to more formal leadership roles in content operations, editorial management, or product management within Red Ventures or similar organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within the specialized area of digital content operations and product strategy, particularly within the travel media industry. The combination of editorial and product responsibilities provides a unique skill set development opportunity.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The role is hybrid, requiring three days per week in the Dublin office (Tuesday-Thursday) and allowing remote work on Mondays and Fridays. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s):

• Dublin, Ireland: Specific office details are not provided, but it's expected to be a professional workspace conducive to team collaboration and focused editorial work.

Workspace Context:

• Workspace Aspect 1: A collaborative environment is expected, with designated spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional discussions, particularly on the days in the office.
• Workspace Aspect 2: Access to necessary technology and tools will be provided, including computers, software licenses for CMS and editing tools, and potentially collaborative platforms for remote work.
• Workspace Aspect 3: Opportunities for regular interaction with the editorial team, product managers, and other stakeholders, fostering a cohesive working relationship and efficient communication channels.

Work Schedule:

• The work schedule is a standard full-time week, with the hybrid model dictating in-office days. This allows for structured workdays with flexibility on remote days, enabling efficient content planning and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key characteristic of the work environment, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. This structure is common in modern digital companies and supports efficient operations and employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Process Step 1 (Initial Screening): Likely a review of the resume and cover letter, focusing on editorial experience, digital product familiarity, and any specific mention of app content or CMS expertise. Candidates with prior experience working with lifestyle apps are encouraged to highlight this.
• Process Step 2 (Hiring Manager Interview): Discussion of editorial strategy, content management processes, and how the candidate has handled similar responsibilities in past roles. Expect questions about managing editorial calendars, ensuring content quality, and working with product teams.
• Process Step 3 (Skills Assessment/Case Study): A potential practical exercise or case study focused on content strategy for an app, editorial process improvement, or CMS utilization. This will assess the candidate's ability to apply their skills to real-world scenarios relevant to app product operations.
• Process Step 4 (Cross-functional/Panel Interview): Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, potentially Marketing, or other editorial team members to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit within Red Ventures and Lonely Planet.
• Process Step 5 (Final Interview/Offer): Final discussions with senior leadership to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Portfolio Tip 1: Curate a portfolio that specifically showcases experience with digital content strategy, app content, and editorial process management. Include examples of editorial calendars, content style guides, or workflow documentation if possible.
• Portfolio Tip 2: For any case studies, clearly articulate the challenge, your approach (including processes used), the tools involved (especially CMS), and the quantifiable results or impact of your work on user engagement or business goals.
• Portfolio Tip 3: If discussing CMS experience, be ready to detail your proficiency with specific platforms (Contentful is a key differentiator) and how you used them for content structuring, publishing, and workflow management.
• Portfolio Tip 4: Highlight adaptability and experience in fast-evolving environments, as this is a key requirement. Demonstrate how you've managed change and driven improvements in content operations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Challenge Preparation 1: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a content strategy for a new travel app or improving an existing one. Consider user segmentation, content types, and engagement tactics.
• Challenge Preparation 2: Think about how you would structure and manage an editorial calendar for a product launch or for ongoing content updates, including resource allocation and quality control.
• Challenge Preparation 3: Practice articulating your experience with CMS platforms and how you've used them to streamline content operations. Be ready to discuss your approach to process documentation and training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus heavily on practical application of editorial strategy, process management, and CMS knowledge, reflecting the operational demands of the role within a product context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Contentful: This is explicitly mentioned as highly desired. Proficiency in Contentful for content modeling, management, and publishing is a significant advantage.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): General experience with various CMS platforms is expected, demonstrating an understanding of content publishing workflows.
• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Monday.com for managing editorial calendars, tasks, and team workflows.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to track app usage, content engagement, and user behavior.
• Reporting Tools: Ability to use or interpret data from reporting dashboards to inform content strategy and measure performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly stated, understanding how content integrates with user journeys managed via CRM systems or marketing automation platforms could be beneficial, though less central to this specific role.

📝 Enhancement Note: CMS expertise, particularly with Contentful, is a critical technical requirement. Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools is also essential for managing the operational aspects of content creation and delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Optimization: A strong emphasis on streamlining processes, improving workflows, and driving operational efficiency in content creation and management.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Content strategy and operational improvements are likely guided by data analytics and user insights.
• Collaboration & Communication: A culture that values open communication and close collaboration across different teams (editorial, product, technical) to achieve shared goals.
• Adaptability & Innovation: The ability to embrace change, adapt to new technologies, and continuously improve processes in a fast-paced digital environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires actively partnering with Product, Engineering, and other departments to ensure content operations are seamlessly integrated with product development and business objectives.
• Feedback Exchange: An open culture for providing and receiving constructive feedback on content, processes, and workflows to foster continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights across teams to build collective expertise in digital content operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely reflects the dynamic nature of digital media, emphasizing agility, data, and collaboration. These values are directly applicable to the operational responsibilities of managing content for a digital product.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Editorial Vision with Product Constraints: Ensuring that the creative and strategic vision for content aligns with the technical capabilities and user experience design of the app.
• Managing a Hybrid Work Model: Effectively leading and collaborating with a team that is partially in-office and partially remote, maintaining consistent communication and team cohesion.
• Content Scalability: Developing processes that can scale to meet the ongoing content needs of a growing app, managing both in-house and freelance resources efficiently.
• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying abreast of new digital publishing trends, app features, and user expectations to ensure content remains relevant and engaging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in content operations for mobile applications, including advanced CMS utilization and best practices for content strategy implementation.
• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the travel media industry and the broader digital publishing ecosystem within a large organization like Red Ventures.
• Cross-Functional Skill Building: Develop a strong understanding of product management, UX design, and digital marketing principles through close collaboration with these teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to digital product roles and offer significant opportunities for skill development and career advancement within the operational sphere of content management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Question 1: "How would you approach developing a content strategy for a new travel app, considering user segmentation and engagement goals? What are the key operational steps involved in executing this strategy?" (Focus on process, planning, and cross-functional alignment).
• Operations Question 2: "Describe a time you had to manage editorial content within a CMS. What challenges did you face, and how did you leverage the CMS to overcome them? How did you ensure content quality and consistency?" (Focus on CMS proficiency and operational control).
• Operations Question 3: "How do you prioritize competing content requests or deadlines when managing an editorial calendar? Walk us through your process for managing freelance resources and budgets." (Focus on project management, prioritization, and resource optimization).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Operations Question 4: "What do you know about Lonely Planet's brand and target audience? How would your content strategy align with and enhance the existing brand perception and user experience?" (Focus on brand understanding and strategic alignment).
• Operations Question 5: "How do you foster collaboration between editorial teams and product development teams to ensure content is seamlessly integrated into the app?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration and communication).
• Operations Question 6: "Can you provide an example of a process you improved within an editorial or content workflow? What was the impact of your improvement?" (Focus on process optimization and operational impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Presentation Strategy 1: Structure your portfolio case studies to clearly outline the challenge, your strategic approach, the operational processes you implemented (including CMS usage and workflow management), and the measurable outcomes.
• Presentation Strategy 2: Be prepared to discuss the specific metrics you used to evaluate content success and how you leveraged data to inform your strategy and operational adjustments.
• Presentation Strategy 3: If presenting CMS experience, be ready to demonstrate your understanding of content modeling, publishing workflows, and how you trained others on these systems. Highlight your ability to communicate technical concepts clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should concentrate on demonstrating a strong understanding of content operations, process management, CMS proficiency, and collaborative skills within a product development context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Red Ventures careers page.
• Concrete preparation step 1: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience in digital content strategy, editorial process management, CMS usage (especially Contentful), and any relevant work in the travel or lifestyle app space. Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Concrete preparation step 2: Prepare a portfolio that showcases your ability to manage editorial workflows, develop content strategies, and work with CMS platforms. Include examples of editorial calendars, process documentation, or case studies demonstrating content impact.
• Concrete preparation step 3: Practice articulating your experience with specific operations-related responsibilities, such as managing freelance teams, improving editorial processes, and collaborating with product teams. Be ready to discuss your approach to content quality assurance.
• Concrete preparation step 4: Research Red Ventures and Lonely Planet thoroughly to understand their brand, target audience, and company culture. Familiarize yourself with the travel media landscape and current app trends.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.