The Seattle Times, a Pulitzer Prize-winning media company and one of the few remaining independent news organizations in the country, is seeking a passionate, well-organized Assistant Business Editor to help lead our award-winning staff. With responsibility for coverage of technology as well as other business news, this person will edit and give direction to reporters covering a key Seattle Times franchise in a market with two of the world’s most valuable tech companies, a range of prominent consumer and manufacturing businesses, and a vigorous start-up scene. The successful candidate will be a skillful editor and writing coach, have a strong background in business journalism, and bring experience in high-impact breaking news and enterprise reporting in print and online.
Responsibilities
- Leads a team of reporters to produce daily news and longer-term enterprise stories for multiple platforms including the website, the print newspaper and social media.
- Represents the business desk, as needed, at daily meetings to communicate our coverage plans and coordinate with other departments.
- Collaborates with visual and digital journalists to create rich print and digital experiences for readers.
- Rallies staff to respond quickly and accurately to breaking news, establishing The Seattle Times as the leading source of information in a competitive marketplace.
- Works occasional nights or weekends when news requires it.
- Utilizes digital analytics to reach audiences, win subscribers and build reader loyalty.
- Masters digital tools to reach users when and where they are.
- Embraces diversity in the workplace and in our coverage, thinking inclusively about everything from story framing and sourcing to word choice and presentation.
- Oversees the Monday Business Technology section, selecting stories, photos and graphics.
- Actively uses social media and other tools to reach and engage business readers.
- Assists in readying the daily print section.
- Assists in overseeing the full business staff.
- Represents the business section and the Seattle Times to the community and other groups as needed.
- Understands the importance of inclusive coverage, helping the team develop a range of sources and story ideas that represent the rich cultural diversity of our region.
- Evaluates wire stories for use in the business report online and in print.
- Understands and upholds the standards, ethics and mission of journalism at The Seattle Times.
Qualifications
We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom, and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. If your profile does not match this job description exactly, you may still be a candidate for this position. Please let us know how your skills and experience relate to the role and its objectives in your cover letter.
- Experience: A minimum of five years of business journalism experience, including three years in a supervisory editor role. Applicant should have a demonstrated record of successfully overseeing complex enterprise story packages as well as breaking news.
- Experience with WordPress and other online publishing systems and spreadsheet software such as Excel.
- Strong news judgment, including an ability to decide quickly and confidently a story’s potential and, later, its strengths and weaknesses. Requires a strong level of accuracy, honesty, fairness, and knowledge of libel laws. Must have the ability to find holes in a story, ask the right questions under pressure, and understand story organization and how to achieve it.
- Demonstrated skill at coaching reporters to shape and report stories, utilize tools such as datasets and public records requests, and maximize the potential of each story.
- Excellent grammar and language skills.
- Cultural competence and familiarity with inclusive journalism practices.
- Social media skills, including the ability to use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other social networks to gather and disseminate news, reach new audiences and track the changing social landscape.
- Reader engagement skills, including participation in chats, comments or use of engagement tools on sites such as Reddit.
- Comfortable representing the business staff and The Seattle Times in public settings such as interviews, panel discussions or other presentations.
To apply, go here.
