Crain’s Chicago Business — the city’s most trusted source for business news, analysis, and insight — is seeking a motivated, strategic newsroom leader to serve as Managing Editor. This role demands sharp editorial instincts, deep understanding of the Chicago news landscape, and the ability to lead a team that delivers distinctive journalism across all platforms to a growing, engaged audience. This isn’t a “keep the trains running” role. It’s a set-the-agenda, raise-the-bar, own-the-market role.
If you’re the kind of editor who spots the real story before anyone else, knows how to deliver it in the format that will connect best with the audience, and can rally a newsroom to own coverage from first alert to in-depth follow-up, this is your opportunity.
What you’ll do
- Lead daily newsroom operations, from story assignment to publication, ensuring timely, accurate and engaging content across digital, print, social, and event platforms.
- Command the daily news meeting, making audience- and data-informed decisions about what to pursue and how to tell it.
- Push for alternative storytelling formats — including graphics, video, data visualizations, audio and interactive elements — to complement and expand traditional reporting.
- Edit with authority and precision, sharpening ledes, strengthening analysis and ensuring our journalism stands out in a crowded market.
- Develop and mentor reporters of all experience levels, helping them build sourcing, speed and storytelling skills for multiple platforms.
- Partner with the audience team to monitor analytics, track engagement and adjust coverage strategies to meet reader needs.
- React swiftly to breaking news while also maintaining focus on high-impact enterprise and investigative projects.
- Leverage AI tools, data platforms, and emerging newsroom technologies to improve workflows, enhance efficiency, and expand the reach and impact of our journalism.
- Represent the brand at editorial events.
What you bring
- Minimum 3+ years of editing and newsroom leadership in a competitive, deadline-driven news environment.
- A track record of producing journalism that moves the conversation and reaches audiences in innovative ways.
- Deep understanding of Chicago’s business, political and civic life — or the ability and drive to master it quickly.
- Experience in business journalism. You’re comfortable dissecting earnings reports, SEC filings and corporate strategies — and possess the experience to turn those insights into stories that shape the conversation in Chicago’s business community.
- Experience using audience metrics and digital tools to inform editorial decisions.
- Proven ability to establish and track key performance indicators for the newsroom, using metrics and other data to set goals and hold the team accountable.
- Comfort with experimenting in alternative storytelling formats and leading a team to think beyond text.
- Strong editing skills with an unwavering commitment to accuracy, fairness and clarity.
- The ability to inspire, coach and challenge a newsroom while keeping the focus on impact and audience growth.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and early mornings as needed to lead coverage of major breaking news events.
To apply, go here.
