Managing Editor & Senior Historian

Position Summary Densho is seeking a historian and exceptional writer to help shape the next phase of interpretation of Japanese American incarceration history. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian will lead the continued development of the Densho Encyclopedia, one of the most widely used public history resources on this subject, and play a key role in ensuring that this history remains rigorously researched, thoughtfully interpreted, and accessible to broad audiences. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian will steward this platform as an active, dynamic body of knowledge: maintaining high editorial standards, shaping interpretation, and ensuring the Encyclopedia continues to grow, evolve, and serve educators, researchers, and the Japanese American community. The ideal candidate is both a rigorous historian and strong writer, someone who is able to translate complex historical scholarship into clear, compelling public history. This role will also play a central part in shaping and convening Densho’s Editorial Advisory Group, connecting the organization’s work with broader scholarly and community expertise. The position will also build relationships with partner organizations, including museums, archives, academic institutions, and Japanese American community-based organizations. This role is being created in the context of a leadership transition, as Densho’s longtime Content Director and Encyclopedia Editor, Brian Niiya, prepares to retire in Fall 2026. In advance of this transition, Densho is strengthening and expanding its editorial model to support the long-term sustainability of the Encyclopedia. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian will play a central role in this next phase, working within a collaborative, distributed approach to content, research, and interpretation. While the Encyclopedia remains the core responsibility, this role requires ongoing, relationship-based engagement with Japanese American communities. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian will work in a space where history is both scholarship and lived experience, and must approach the work with care, humility, and accountability. Candidates should be prepared to participate in community spaces and build trust over time. In addition, this role will contribute to the development of select grant-funded initiatives that extend Densho’s resources and interpretive work. This position requires both editorial leadership and subject-matter expertise, including a strong grounding in Japanese American history. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian plays a central role in shaping how this history is represented, interpreted, and engaged with by the public. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian will contribute original writing and interpretation that helps shape public understanding of Japanese American incarceration history. This position is designed as a full-time role; however, Densho is open to discussing flexible arrangements, including an approximately 80% FTE appointment, for candidates who may hold academic or related professional commitments. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. This position reports directly to the Executive Director. As the field enters a period in which the generation of direct witnesses to wartime incarceration is passing, the person filling this role will be at the forefront of shaping how this history is contextualized and made meaningful for future generations. The Managing Editor & Senior Historian will serve as an important public-facing voice for Densho’s historical work, ensuring that historical knowledge and scholarship is not confined to the university/academic institutions but available to all. Core Responsibilities Editorial Stewardship Maintain the intellectual integrity, accuracy, and tone of the Densho Encyclopedia Make editorial decisions regarding content quality, interpretation, and readiness for publication Ensure consistency across entries, including terminology, framing, and sourcing Exercise judgment in handling complex or sensitive historical topics Ensure the Encyclopedia reflects both scholarly rigor and community-informed perspectives Content Development & Editorial Production Edit, shape, and occasionally author new and existing Encyclopedia entries Commission new content and revisions based on identified gaps Maintain a steady pipeline of content updates and improvements Contribute original writing and interpretation that helps shape public understanding of Japanese American incarceration history Contributor Management Recruit, support, and manage a network of contributors, including scholars, students, writers, and emerging researchers Provide clear editorial guidance and evidence-based feedback Build and sustain strong, respectful relationships with contributors Editorial Project Management and Workflow Oversee and improve editorial workflows (assignment, review, revision, publication) Track content status, gaps, and priorities across the Encyclopedia Develop and maintain editorial guidelines and documentation Coordination & External Relationships Serve as the primary point of contact for Densho’s Editorial Advisory Group Coordinate communication, meetings, and areas of consultation Engage advisors on content gaps, complex topics, and future direction Integrate advisory input into editorial planning and decision-making Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, including museums, archives, academic institutions, and Japanese American community-based organizations Internal Collaboration Cross-departmental collaborations with Archives, Education, and Communications staff to align content with organizational priorities Provide editorial guidance on content used in educational and public-facing contexts Support internal understanding of Encyclopedia content and standards Research Guidance Provide high-level guidance to staff on sources, interpretation, and historical context as needed Collaborate with research support staff or external contributors when deeper research is required Qualifications Required: Advanced degree (MA or PhD) in history, public history, or a related field Strong knowledge of Japanese American history, particularly World War II incarceration Exceptional writing and editorial skills, with the ability to translate complex historical scholarship into clear, engaging, and accessible content for public audiences Demonstrated, sustained engagement with Japanese American communities or community-based organizations, including experience building relationships, collaborating on projects, or contributing to community-centered work Ability to engage critically with historical scholarship and provide substantive editorial feedback grounded in relevant scholarship Experience working with complex historical material and navigating multiple interpretations or perspectives Strong organizational and project management skills Ability to work thoughtfully and responsibly with communities connected to the history, including experience navigating the ethical responsibilities of representing lived experiences Comfort working in digital and online publishing environments, including familiarity with content management systems, collaborative tools, and/or digital humanities or public-facing platforms Preferred: Experience leading or managing digital humanities or public-facing history projects Established relationships within Japanese American communities, or a demonstrated track record of building trust and maintaining ongoing engagement in community-based contexts Candidates located in regions with significant Japanese American populations (Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, etc.) Compensation and Benefits Salary: Final compensation will reflect the candidate’s experience, the scope of responsibilities assigned, and alignment with the needs of the role. This position is budgeted in the range of $88,000–$100,000, with most offers expected to fall within the lower to mid portion of the range. The salary range is designed to be comparable to many early-career academic appointments in the humanities, such as assistant professor positions. In rare cases, candidates with exceptional experience may be considered at the top of the range or above the stated budget. Densho is open to discussing a reduced appointment (approximately 80% FTE) for candidates who may hold academic or related professional commitments. Compensation would be prorated accordingly. Health, dental & vision insurance Generous paid time off Fully remote, flexible work environment (U.S. based). Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Application materials must include: Resume or CV Cover letter - In your cover letter, please describe your experience working with or in relationship to Japanese American communities or other community-based histories, and how this has shaped your approach to historical interpretation. If applicable, please describe any previous engagement you have had with Densho’s work (e.g., contributing to the Densho Encyclopedia or blog, using Densho resources in teaching or research, collaborating on projects, or other involvement). Please submit 2 samples of your writing that demonstrate your ability to communicate complex historical material to a public audience. One sample should demonstrate historical research or scholarly writing such as a journal article, conference paper, or thesis excerpt. One sample should be written for a general or public audience, demonstrating the ability to translate complex historical materials into clear and accessible language for a broad audience. Writing samples must reflect original work. Please do not submit AI-generated or AI-assisted content. The deadline for applications is April 20, 2026.