The News Editor will be a critical part of the newsroom’s management team, reporting to the Managing Editor, News. Their primary task will be helping reporters produce daily accountability reporting along with revelatory enterprise and compelling explanatory content.
They will work closely with reporters to identify reporting targets and improve copy and storytelling while also helping the Managing Editor, News, shape beats and guide coverage to ensure it reflects community interests. Additionally, they will help manage the editorial calendar to ensure this high-metabolism newsroom is publishing several stories each day.
The Editor will be part of a team, led by the Managing Editor, News, that includes several beat reporters covering topics like government, economics, education, and health. They will also work closely with the Community Journalism Director and the Managing Editor, Innovation, whose team will include multimedia reporters and producers.
Responsibilities & Priorities:
- Lead a team of reporters to produce multiple stories every day of all lengths and formats that make the newsroom a primary source of critical news and information about Indianapolis
- Produce a regular cadence of high-impact local accountability stories, and develop individualized publication plans that ensure this content is accessible and drawing a diverse audience
- Along with the Managing Editor, News, help maintain the editorial calendar to meet an ambitious publishing schedule
- Work with the Managing Editor to shape the beats and coverage strategy or a built-from-scratch news team that will inform the newsroom’s story formats and publishing cadence
- Help recruit and supervise a news team including several beat reporters
- Coach less experienced reporters and mentor more experienced journalists to help the reporting staff reach its full potential
- Work closely with the Community Journalism Director, who oversees a community reporting program that partners directly with residents to help inform coverage priorities, and a service journalism reporter who will be producing explainers in multiple formats, including multilingual formats
- Develop a voice for our journalism that is solutions-focused, and inclusive of all formats needed to make information accessible to all residents
Supervision:
- Manage the work of staff and/or independent contractors and interns and others as assigned
- Work with the Managing Editor, News, to build an inclusive workplace with a culture that values all voices and offers regular training and professional development opportunities
Consider applying if you have some of these skill sets:
- Demonstrated commitment to local, public service journalism with a track record of producing and/or leading impactful reporting
- Entrepreneurial spirit—you can thrive in a startup environment where you are expected to learn as you go, think outside the box and build things from scratch
- Experience leading a team of reporters to produce their best work
- Strong understanding and knowledge of Indianapolis neighborhoods and communities and respect for the knowledge community members can bring to the newsroom
- 3+ years experience in daily, local newsrooms
- Stellar news judgment, editorial skills, and editing and copy editing skills
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Ability to work under deadline and prioritize work
- Adept at problem solving, detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
- Experience with and/or strong understanding of building digital audiences
- Ability to work evenings as needed
- Interpersonal/communications skills – willing to negotiate and talk through issues in an honest and clear manner
- Ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of individuals internal and external to the newsroom
- Team player – help others and is supportive
Salary minimum: Starting $75,000, commensurate with experience
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