The managing editor of the Birmingham Business Journal 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, actively advocating for the improvements and resources that take the Business Journal’s content to the next level.
As a member of the office of the editor (comprised of the EIC, ME, Print Editor, and Social Media & Engagement Manager), the M.E. must run the newsroom always with audience growth and connection in mind. Relationships with sources, and outreach into the community, is desirable as a value-add for the news gathering operation.
The M.E. also serves as chief mentor for reporters, helping pave their way to continual improvement, learning, and growth; all reporters must be managed toward excellence, with high standards set by the M.E. as the norm. Communication skills are critical for the M.E., who is highly influential in setting newsroom standards, mood, expectations, and culture.
Duties
– 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.
– Manage reporters and steer reporters toward beat-driven hard news breaks and scoops; work directly with reporters and manage them throughout the day on stories of all types.
– Supervise and work with reporters to add context, perspective and voice to their content.
– 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, event attendance, and other such measures.
– Orchestrate staff-produced content – images, charts, info-graphics — for multiple products across multiple platforms. Specifically, this requires conceptualizing story-telling strategies with reporters and making snap decisions on where best to route content.
– Routinely and repeatedly determine story treatment and placement.
– Manage and prioritize reporter activities to maximize the results for our audience.
– Manage the daily news meeting.
– Direct section, focus, copy and other editors, as well as photographers and other content contributors.
– 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.
To apply, send resume, clips and cover letter to editor Ty West at twest@bizjournals.com or 205-443-5637
