The South Seattle Emerald is seeking to hire its first full-time Managing Editor to lead the publication in its unique, groundbreaking vision of restorative community-centered journalism.
The Managing Editor joins the Executive Director as the Emerald’s leadership team, including developing and implementing an Emerald strategic plan to ensure a sustainable future.
The Managing Editor is responsible for administering the Emerald’s day-to-day publishing operations, leading a team of editors, freelance writers, photographers, and illustrators. The Managing Editor, with the Executive Director, helps plan and monitor the newsroom budget. The Managing Editor supervises editorial operations and personnel, including but not limited to hiring, supervising, evaluating, and dismissing editorial staff and freelancers. The Managing Editor ensures grant-funded and sponsored stories and related content is published as designated and will support the Executive Director in community engagement, grant strategies, and Emerald team-building efforts. The role calls for leadership in digital strategy and content production and promotion.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The managing editor:
- Sets editorial policy and guidelines for news content in collaboration with the Publisher and Executive Director.
- Leads in editorial decisions and organizes and supervises all aspects of newsroom/editorial content creation and website publishing processes; generates and develops story ideas, plans, assigns and ensures content follows the tone and style guidelines. Implements and monitors the result of various content campaigns.
- Manages and approves the layout/design of the website and occasional print publishing.
- Directs hiring, training, evaluating, and accountability of newsroom personnel, and addresses complaints and resolves problems.
- Monitors newsroom/editorial expenses and approves all day-to-day operational purchases.
- Coordinates work with other areas of the Emerald, working closely with the Executive Director.
- Directs special projects as needed, participates in and supports Emerald events, and completes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to justice with equity and embracing the intersectionality of how economic forces, identity, disability, and culture impact BIPOC communities
- Have living/working experience in ethnically/racially/linguistically diverse communities; knowledge of South Seattle and South King County communities is a plus.
- In-depth knowledge of newsroom operations, including digital layout, budget, and newsroom policies; experience working with freelance and volunteer content contributors and working in diverse communities across a spectrum of personalities, ages, identities, and languages.
- Collegial leadership with the ability to multi-task and delegate responsibility to others.
- A flexible problem solver and creative self-starter who can provide calm and organized administrative and editorial oversight.
- Ability to write well and effectively edit news copy.
- A skilled communicator who can maintain clear and open lines of communication with all team members and communicate effectively with other department heads, community leaders, and staff.
- Ability to work in a nonprofit environment where resources are sometimes limited.
- Ability to act as an Emerald spokesperson, community speaker/panelist, and advocate, including engaging with major funders when needed.
Education/Experience:
- Four to six years of related experience and training demonstrating the required skills and qualifications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing a media entity, nonprofit organization, small business, complex projects, or equivalent. Demonstrated experience leading a diverse newsroom and delivering complex projects within budget and on time.
- Basic math skills to compile and direct the budget of the news operation.
- Comfort using Slack, managing email communications, text messages, Zoom, and Google Meet, and openness to trying new platforms to meet team needs.
- Experience using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and Google Analytics.
- Familiar with Content Management Systems (CMS)
Preferred Experience/Skills:
- Experience with Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms is a plus.
- Bilingual with deep knowledge of one or more multicultural communities (Amharic, Chinese, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Japanese, and Vietnamese).
Pay: $70K to $80K, depending on experience and qualifications.
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to work@seattleemerald.org.
For further details click here.
