Planning Editor

About MBN

Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) is the premier Arabic-first media organization that connects the Middle East and the United States. We are undergoing a digital transformation and seek talented people who care about journalism and the Middle East to join us.

We provide original reporting, perspectives, and commentary on the Middle East and how America’s engagement impacts the region. MBN delivers content in Arabic and English across multiple platforms, including written articles, short-form video, newsletters, podcasts, data trackers, and social media.

Our target audience includes decision-makers, influencers, and residents of key capitals across the Middle East, as well as the next generation of globally engaged, digitally connected youth.

About the Role

MBN is seeking a Planning Editor based in Egypt to coordinate editorial planning across regional news desks, specialized thematic units, and Washington-based teams. The Planning Editor will maintain a unified editorial calendar, improve visibility across desks, and ensure that daily and long-range coverage is planned, tracked, and delivered on schedule.

Working across Arabic and English teams, MENA and U.S. time zones, and digital formats, the Planning Editor will collaborate with the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Editors, Regional Editors, specialized desks, the Washington Bureau, and the Enterprise Editor to monitor assignments from pitch through publication.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following are essential functions of the position. MBN provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.

Centralized Planning and Forward Calendar Management

• Build and maintain MBN’s central editorial calendar, including upcoming regional elections, diplomatic summits, economic releases, military exercises, policy anniversaries, and planned enterprise features.
• Develop daily, weekly, monthly, and long-range coverage plans for all regional desks.
• Coordinate special coverage packages for major breaking developments, multipart investigative series, and regional thematic projects.

Cross-Desk Alignment and Workflow Coordination

• Connect regional desks in Iraq, Egypt, the Gulf, the Levant, and Turkey with the China Desk, Iran Desk, Global Power Index, Washington Bureau, and Enterprise Editor.
• Facilitate joint coverage of stories that span regions or subject areas, including energy markets, technology security, and U.S. defense policy.
• Coordinate text, video, audio, data graphics, and social teams so assets for different platforms are planned together.

Assignment Tracking and Execution

• Document daily newsroom calls, weekly planning meetings, and monthly strategic planning sessions.
• Track active assignments, including story ownership, deadlines, resource needs, and intended publishing platforms.
• Prepare daily and weekly assignment briefs for the Editor-in-Chief and executive leadership, identifying coverage gaps, workflow delays, and upcoming enterprise stories.

Systems, Technology, and Newsroom Transparency

• Manage the use of central planning software, shared assignment dashboards, and project tracking tools across desks and bureaus.
• Standardize assignment records so teams across time zones can see who owns each story, the status of its assets, and when deliverables are due.
• Use digital newsroom tools to improve communication among remote correspondents, field teams, regional editors, and publishing desks.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Control

• Monitor execution of editorial plans and review published coverage against deadlines, factual standards, and platform requirements.
• Monitor publishing across Arabic and English digital products to identify missed assignments and duplicate work.
• Review platform analytics with digital packaging teams and apply findings to future coverage plans and formats.

Other Duties

Perform other job-related duties and take on additional responsibilities as organizational needs evolve.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, International Relations, Communications, Political Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience: At least 8 years of experience in an international or regional newsroom, including at least 3 years managing a news desk, central planning unit, or newsroom operations desk.
• Location and regional experience: Based in Egypt, with deep familiarity with MENA time zones and newsroom operating environments.
• Geopolitical knowledge: Strong understanding of Middle Eastern politics, U.S. foreign policy, regional security, and global power competition, including China and Iran.
• Technical skills: Hands-on experience with newsroom planning platforms, content management systems, and shared dashboards.
• Multiplatform experience: Understanding of workflows for web articles, short-form video, podcasts, newsletters, and social distribution.
• Languages: Professional fluency in Arabic and English, including the ability to lead bilingual planning calls, edit briefs, and assess pitches in both languages.
• Leadership: Strong organization and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate remote teams and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Planning Editor, News Editor, or Managing Editor at a major regional or international media organization.
• Experience coordinating coverage across platforms and correspondent networks in the MENA region.

MBN is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.