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NPR

Chief Desk Editor

NPR, Washington, DC


OVERVIEW

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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.

NPR's Chief NewsHub Editor oversees a team of reporters, correspondents and editors who cover breaking news, general assignment daily news and quick-turn enterprise for NPR's digital platforms. This leader will set overall editorial direction for the team, work collaboratively with other newsgathering and programming leaders to ensure a comprehensive and engaging daily digital report and think strategically about how best to serve and grow NPR's audiences.

This position requires excellent news judgment, a passion for covering news and a record of being aggressive and adaptive when news breaks. This editor should have a deep understanding of digital audiences, bring energy and sophisticated ideas and think expansively and creatively about content and the best ways to deliver it. This person must also be an excellent people manager with proven experience in developing and nurturing diverse talent with different levels of skill and experience.

This editor will report to NPR's Vice President and Executive Editor.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Set desk priorities for coverage of breaking news, daily news and quick-turn explainers, features and enterprise stories for NPR digital platforms with a keen focus on audience.
  • Represent the desk across the NPR network and lead collaboration with colleagues from other teams - including other newsgathering desks, newscast, broadcast magazine shows and podcasting - to make sure our collective reporting for digital is comprehensive and not duplicative; and that our reporting is properly vetted and presented across platforms.
  • Lead desk editors in planning and executing stories for NPR digital platforms, ensuring that they - and occasionally you - are comfortably editing with speed, voice, nuance and curiosity.
  • Work with other digital leaders, including the Managing Editor for Digital Audience Growth and Engagement and the Deputy Managing Editor for Digital, to ensure alignment on editorial and audience goals.
  • Work with colleagues across the Content Division to provide input on editorial issues, style, technical and design issues that affect NPR's journalistic integrity and overall digital presentation and productivity.
  • Protect the editorial integrity and quality of news online, ensuring that all stories meet NPR program standards and practices, including standards of accuracy, fairness and objectivity.
  • Supervise at least two supervising editors who have reporters, correspondents and editors reporting up to them. Guide them in managing their direct reports, offering regular feedback and preparing their performance evaluations.
  • Oversee any hiring, promotion or disciplinary recommendations for Newshub staff, in consultation with the VP/Executive Editor.
  • Manage Newshub budget, oversee personnel scheduling and other operational matters.
  • Cultivate and support an inclusive and equitable workplace environment.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience as an editor focused on digital content at a journalism organization, preferably at the national level.
  • At least 5 years of people management experience in a newsroom, preferably at the national level.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex teams and breaking news coverage.
  • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across teams in a matrixed organization.
  • Demonstrated experience in editorial decision-making including assigning reporters/correspondents, and including in high-pressure situations.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.
  • Demonstrated record of using audience data to inform editorial decision-making and comfort with sharing that information across teams.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the changing landscape of digital journalism and ideas for how to evolve, adapt and experiment.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience
WORK LOCATION

Remote Permitted: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, DC office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.
JOB TYPE

This is a full time, exempt position.
COMPENSATION

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $177,520-$195,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR's benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

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The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$177,520-$195,000 USD

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