The Assistant Managing Editor (AME) of the Austin Business Journal works in concert with the managing editor, overseeing and ensuring the smooth and orderly flow of content from conception to publishing on all platforms.
The AME must possess a solid news sense for a business journal, 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 newsroom. As a member of the office of the editor (comprised of the editor in chief, ME and AME), the AME will help ensure audience growth and reporters’ professional development.
In addition to coaching reporters and managing their work, the AME is expected to serve as an additional reporter able to quickly turn around breaking news and augment beat reporters’ work with well-sourced, enterprising stories.
The AME also may serve, at the direction of the managing editor, as the editorial department’s liaison with other departments in matters that pertain to awards publications, events, and other cross-departmental activities.
The following duties and responsibilities won’t all be executed on a daily basis, but ideal candidates are able to adjust to these actions as needed
- You’ll be on the front line with reporters —touching many stories before publication in concert the managing editor and editor in chief
- Fill in as an additional reporter, tackling press release news as well as enterprising work on the level of a beat reporter
- Track metrics and measure engagement with an eye towards constant improvement
- Routinely determine story treatment and placement in print and daily news emails
- Manage about four special publications annually, some of which rely on freelanced work
- Manage the ABJ’s social media presence (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram)
- Manage the ABJ homepage at least twice daily, ensuring stories are receiving proper treatment and breaking-news bars are used well
- Grow audience — constantly and relentlessly
- Regularly participate in and attend Business Journal sponsored events
- Take on any other assignment made by manager(s)
- Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all colleagues and sources
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 4 years in a newsroom, preferably with beat-reporter experience
- Tendency to thrive in a fast-paced, hard-news environment
- Familiarity with AP Style
- Solid news judgment
- Experience with management of editorial projects
- Stickler for detail — especially when copy editing
- Exposure to online environment and social media
