The New York Times announced on Tuesday that one of its highest-ranking editors, Rebecca Blumenstein, will take on a newly created role, reporting directly to the publisher, A. G. Sulzberger, and helping him run newsroom operations as the newspaper\u2019s business expands.<\/p>\n
Ms. Blumenstein, 54, a deputy managing editor, has overseen The Times\u2019s website, including the live briefings that became central to coverage of breaking news in the last year. She will remain on The Times\u2019s masthead with a new title: deputy editor, publisher\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\u201cRebecca will step away from the news cycle to become my day-to-day partner in supporting our journalism operations at a time when they are growing rapidly in size and ambition,\u201d Mr. Sulzberger wrote in a memo to staff on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Before joining The Times four years ago, Ms. Blumenstein was the deputy editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, where she had been the China bureau chief, international editor, Page One editor and the managing editor of its website.<\/p>\n
In the new role, Ms. Blumenstein will focus on diversity in the newsroom, the plans for a post-pandemic return to the office and the challenge of remaining an independent voice in a hyperpartisan landscape, Mr. Sulzberger said in the memo.<\/p>\n
Ms. Blumenstein said in an interview that Mr. Sulzberger approached her a few weeks ago. \u201cI will really miss the newsroom,\u201d she said, \u201cbut I can see areas where I could help The Times at this important moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe news business is facing so many challenges,\u201d she added. \u201cWe have to do whatever we can to see around the corner of what\u2019s coming and make sure The Times is the best place for our people and our journalists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms. Blumenstein will become a more frequent public representative of The Times, \u201cregularly engaging outside our walls to make the case for our model of independent journalism,\u201d Mr. Sulzberger wrote in his memo.<\/p>\n
The announcement of Ms. Blumenstein\u2019s new role came amid a flurry of senior-level moves at The Times as it prepares for a leadership change. The executive editor, Dean Baquet, will reach the paper\u2019s usual retirement age for newsroom leaders and top executives of 66 in September 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cDean and I fully understand the importance of having a robust plan to ensure that the newsroom will be well led far into the future,\u201d Mr. Sulzberger said in a statement last month. \u201cWith a deep bench of incredibly talented editors, I\u2019m confident that will be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last month, The Times elevated Clifford J. Levy from metro editor to deputy managing editor and named Kathleen Kingsbury to another masthead position, opinion editor. Late last year, Carolyn Ryan rose from associate managing editor to deputy managing editor, and the national editor, Marc Lacey, was promoted to assistant managing editor.<\/p>\n