Albuquerque Business First seeks managing editor

Ready to lead a forward-thinking newsroom with a killer view of mountains and mesas? Albuquerque Business First, the award-winning business news leader in Central New Mexico, is looking for a Managing Editor.

The Managing Editor (M.E.) is the newsroom’s chief operating officer, overseeing and ensuring the smooth and orderly flow of content from conception to publishing on all platforms. As the newsroom’s most hands-on manager and coach of reporters, the M.E. is charged with bringing ideas, inspiration and constant guidance to the content team. Reporting directly to the Editor-In-Chief (EIC), the Managing Editor actively oversees and directs the deployment of resources across the many publishing platforms – online, mobile, email, print, social, etc. – hour by hour, minute by minute.

The M.E. is charged with guiding the constant programming efforts of the content team, and as such, must possess a solid news sense, an ability to make snap judgments about the proper treatment of stories, and a high level of confidence in orchestrating the many simultaneous actions of the editorial team members.

Organization must be a strength, as the M.E. is responsible for the efficiency of the news gathering and news production operation. As with all newsrooms, resources come at a premium, and well-oiled processes are required for maximizing output. The M.E. must always be asking how the operation can run more smoothly and productively. The M.E. also is expected to serve as a change agent in the newsroom, advocating for the improvements and resources that take Business First’s content to the next level.

Duties include:
• Run the operational side of the newsroom, ensuring content assignments are made, story and production deadlines adhered to and editorial standards met.
• Develop, oversee and edit stories.
• Work directly with reporters and photographer and manage them throughout the day on stories of all types; steer reporters toward beat-driven hard news breaks and scoops.
• Meet or exceed goals relating to audience-engagement such as page views, unique users, repeat visits, direct traffic, social media followings and growth, email newsletter circulation growth, paid print subscribership and other such measures.
• Orchestrate staff-produced content – images, charts, infographics — for multiple products across multiple platforms. Specifically, this requires conceptualizing storytelling strategies with reporters and making snap decisions on where best to route content.
• Regularly participate in and attend Business First sponsored events.
• Take on any other assignment made by manager(s).

Requirements:
·        Bachelor’s degree
·        Editing experience
·        Hands-on experience in guiding and contributing to large-scale editorial projects

Skills the ideal candidate will possess:
·        Three to five years of management and/or team leadership experience
·        Comfortable operating in rapidly changing media environment
·        Daily, and preferably, weekly print experience for a business news operation
·        Beat reporter experience
·        Strong wordsmith who has demonstrated a talent for reporter and story development
·        Serves as inspiring, motivational force in newsroom
·        Exposure to online environment and social media; blogging and online reporting a plus.

Business leaders look to Albuquerque Business First for local news and connections. We are growing in subscribers, readers, digital audience, e-news products and event attendees. If you thrive in an environment where you can innovate and lead, we invite you to apply.

Please send your resume, cover letter and clips to Rachel Sams, Editor-in-Chief, rsams@bizjournals.com. No phone calls, please.