Neil Stevenson, the founder of gossip site Popbitch, is to take over as the new editor of the Face.
Emap has confirmed speculation that Stevenson will take the job and announced that he is to start on April 8.
Stevenson described the post as "my dream job".
"I've been a fan of the Face for many years and to now have the opportunity to edit such a famous magazine is massively exciting," he said.
"Editing the Face is one of the best jobs in publishing today, but it also carries with it a weight of responsibility," said the Face's managing director, Mark Wightman.
"Namely to celebrate all that's great in music, fashion, film and the arts now, while having a laser-guided sense of what's going to happen in six months' time."
"The Face is the barometer of what's hot and cool in the world today, but it's also the early warning system for what's around the corner.
"In Neil we have found somebody obsessed with the worlds of fashion, music, film and magazines. He will be a brilliant editor," said Mr Wightman.
Emap will be hoping the appointment ends a turbulent period in the history of the magazine, after the departure of the previous editor, Johnny Davis, who left abruptly following speculation that Emap was unhappy with the magazine's sales.
Stevenson, a former editor of Mixmag who has also worked at Heat, is credited with much of the success of Popbitch.
The music, media and celebrity gossip website not only has a cult following but is increasingly used to source showbusiness stories by the national press.
The appointment completes the consolidation by Emap of its Wagadon titles. Men's magazine Arena is now edited by former FHM editor Anthony Noguera.
Industry observers fear Emap plans to destroy the distinctive Wagadon editorial style pioneered by the Face's founder, Nick Logan.