Head of Standards & Enforcement - Remote

Overview

Substack’s mission is to build a new economic engine for culture. From the beginning, we have been clear in our belief in the free press and free speech—values we consider inseparable and fundamental to a trustworthy media system.

To achieve our mission, Substack must uphold free expression while maintaining a vibrant platform with clear rules that allow for the open exchange of ideas. Our Standards & Enforcement team ensures this balance by prioritizing free expression, enforcing standards, addressing violations, and protecting the platform’s integrity. We are seeking a Head of Standards & Enforcement to lead this team and work closely with leadership to further our vision for community moderation.

This is not a traditional Trust & Safety role. We are looking for someone eager to rethink how platforms handle policies and enforcement—eschewing centralized censorship in favor of empowering creators to set the tone for their communities. You will lead a team, oversee enforcement, develop policies, and partner with Product to guide the platform’s evolution.

This role is about protecting Substack’s viability by addressing extreme behaviors while respecting the fundamental freedom of users to express their perspectives.

In Short

• Enforce Substack’s content guidelines.
• Lead the team and manage specialists.
• Drive forward Automation and AI.
• Develop practical policies in collaboration with leadership.
• Use data to inform decisions and evaluate enforcement effectiveness.
• Collaborate with product teams on new features.

Requirements

• Problem-solver with a startup mindset.
• 5+ years experience in Trust & Safety or related field.
• Aligned with Substack’s principles of free speech.
• Team builder with experience in managing high-performing teams.
• Understanding of policy development.
• Good product-sense and technical discussion skills.
• Legal familiarity with data privacy and copyright.
• Strong communicator in written and verbal formats.

Benefits

• Market competitive salary.
• Equity for all full-time roles.
• Exceptional benefits.