Managing Editor, Collaborative Journalism

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Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

The Managing Editor for Collaborative Journalism will have a broad leadership profile in the newsroom, reporting directly to the Executive Editor. In this role, you’ll develop a vision and strategy for taking our network collaborative journalism efforts across the country to the next level, working in partnership with our Member stations and other collaborators to develop a truly national reporting network from local to national. In this position, you will work closely with newsroom leadership to continue to evolve the organizational structure to support our CJN mission, from content verticals to geographic hubs, and with the NPR development team to raise philanthropic support for strategic priorities. In addition, you will be the primary point of contact for NPR Member stations with the newsroom, in partnership with SVP for Member partnership, and will occasionally visit stations in an ambassadorial role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• With the Executive Editor, develop and execute on a broad vision to transform NPR, in partnership with member stations, into a truly collaborative network.
• With the Executive Editor, conceive of a future newsroom structure that will better support the CJN.
• Work directly with Member stations in the hub structure to support existing MOUs while developing and executing new MOUs for start– up hubs. These MOUs detail how the hubs will work with NPR, identify key goals and priorities, and assess and develop positions and job descriptions for essential staff funded by grants.
• Lead and manage any direct reports directly associated with this position.
• Liaison across the newsroom and NPR stations to build support for content verticals that are essential to the success of the network from Education to Public Safety to Climate change.
• Liaison with operations on support for CJN initiatives
• Develop partnerships with other news/content organizations that might enhance our collaborative journalism locally and/or nationally.
• With the Executive Editor, assist with development on priorities and fundraising, representing the newsroom in any functions related to CJN fundraising.
• Serve as primary liaison from NPR news to Member stations, paying regular visits to stations when time and the environment permits.
• Serve as a rotating leadership editor, running the newsroom occasionally in the absence of other key leaders, and joining a weekend rotation of editors who advise and guide big stories that break off hours.
• Guide and mentor key reports on journalism– related issues, stories, hiring personnel management, etc.
• Provide regular and constructive feedback and career development for performance evaluations.
• Supervise 3 direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

• 10+ years of journalism experience delivering to multiple platforms, preferably at the national level

WORK LOCATION: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington DC headquarters but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• 10+ years of supervisory and managerial experience leading teams through major stories, and complex coverage areas
• Ability to lead and collaborate in a highly matrixed organization is essential
• Attention to detail is essential
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and flexibility in a rapidly changing media environment
• Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions
• Experience in a philanthropy supported organization is preferred

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience editing for radio preferred
• Familiarity with NPR member stations and public media system preferred

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All applications must include a resume and cover letter to be considered.

NPR mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID– 19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law and any other applicable law.

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NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non– conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.