HKFP Job Vacancy: Executive Editor

Whether it’s questioning top officials, gathering breaking news from court, or live-streaming from the ground, HKFP’s tight-knit team is on the frontlines of Hong Kong’s political twists and turns every day. At the city’s only independent English-language outlet, our journalists are in a privileged position to help write the first draft of history.

(L-R) Senior Reporter Hillary Leung, Photojournalist Kyle Lam, Senior Reporter Hans Tse, Features Editor Irene Chan, and Reporter James Lee. Seated are Director & Editor-in-Chief Tom Grundy and outgoing Executive Editor Yenni Kwok.

All of Team HKFP have a high level of responsibility, independence and freedom to chase their own stories. We have no junior staff – everyone is a multimedia journalist, and there is no such thing as a slow news day. 

HKFP staffers have gone on to work for outlets such as the New York Times, Agence France-Presse, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNN, the BBC and the Financial Times. If you want to fast-track your career, if you thrive in a fast-paced environment, or wish to help shape the future of the city’s most independent and transparent English-language newsroom, consider applying to join our team.

Our mission: HKFP’s mission is to be the most credible, impartial and independent news outlet on Hong Kong affairs, and to help safeguard press freedom in the city. We seek to amplify the voices of the voiceless whilst bridging the gap between the Chinese and English languages. Read our Annual Report.

Executive Editor

HKFP is seeking an Executive Editor to oversee our daily output and manage the newsroom, beginning in late June.

• Our Executive Editor will edit, polish and factcheck four to five hard news stories per day, and will schedule and promote them across our platforms. They will also edit newsletters, manage the newsroom, and support our Features Editor in overseeing weekend features and our Monitor newsletter.
• Our newsroom leader will help the team plan future coverage, enforce deadlines, monitor local developments, and assist with story ideas.
• They will be tasked with navigating legal risks and political sensitivities alongside the director, and may occasionally be required to write short leads.
• This dynamic role involves a pathway to rapid, performance-based payrises within the first year, and a promotion to Editor-in-Chief within three years.
• Other than guiding our dedicated team, there are also opportunities for professional development, room to launch side projects (e.g. a podcast) and a chance to have a meaningful impact at a critical time for the city’s media landscape.

Requirements:

• Candidates must have at least two years of experience in a daily news editorial role at a – preferably local – news outlet.
• We are seeking applicants familiar with the Hong Kong political beat, with knowledge of who’s-who and a good understanding of how the government, legislative and judicial systems work. They will have an eye for news, and a comprehension of current political/legal risks.
• Native-level English-language fluency is essential, with no tolerance for errors. Candidates must be self-directed, full of ideas and have the ability to edit news with accuracy and speed. Cantonese language skills would be an advantage, but not essential.
• The ideal candidate would have excellent initiative, time-management and must be a team player.
• Digital skills, knowledge of local law, SEO and analytics would be a bonus.
• Candidates must already have the right to work in, and live in, Hong Kong – we cannot arrange visas.

Remuneration and benefits:

• HKFP sets standards on pay, conditions, benefits and work-life balance – all of which are comparable to international news outlets.
• We offer a competitive starting salary depending upon experience, skills and qualifications.
• 14-days of leave per annum in the first year, rising yearly to 24 days in the fourth year, in addition to all Hong Kong public and statutory holidays.
• International healthcare, dental and physio coverage.
• Mental health support options.
• A secure work laptop, work phone and VPN.
• HKFP staff enjoy the many benefits of working at the Hive co-working spaces.
• Staff receive occasional bonuses, and enjoy weekly opportunities to work remotely from home, or abroad.
• HKFP’s Executive Editor may have the opportunity to represent the company at events and conferences, at home and abroad.

How to apply

• Deadline: May 31, 2026.
• If you meet our requirements, please:
  • 1/ Fill in this application form: https://forms.gle/V8dHrcuDhHkhvmG38
  • 2/ Send your CV, separately, to [email protected].
• Please see: https://hongkongfp.com/ethics, https://hongkongfp.com/about & https://hongkongfp.com/annual-report.
• All applications are read and considered. Successful applicants will be contacted within a week. HKFP’s recruitment process includes two stages – an interview, followed by written tests, reference checks and trial sessions.
• The use of generative AI in application materials will lead to disqualification.
• We encourage candidates from all social and ethnic backgrounds to apply. HKFP does not discriminate, along the lines of age, gender or sexual orientation, religion, race, pregnancy or marital status. See: https://hongkongfp.com/ethics/#diversity-statement

Read more about us here. Read about our impact in our Annual Report.