What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Editor - News position at New England Public Media?
NEPM enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
NEPM’s News department informs and educates New England Public Media’s audience by ensuring the production and delivery of timely, high-quality news programming across platforms.
JOB OVERVIEW
The Executive Editor ascertains community needs, sets editorial priorities and departmental goals that are aligned with NEPM’s audience objectives, and develops strategies and tactics to meet those goals. The Director oversees and executes the daily work required to meet departmental goals and collaborates with peers in content, operations, marketing, finance, and fundraising to ensure the ongoing success of the department. This position supervises journalists, local newsmagazine program hosts, contractors, freelancers, and interns.
What you get to do:
- Oversee the vision and editorial priorities of the News Department.
- Manage the day-to-day administration and supervision of the News Department.
- Train, supervise and schedule the News Department’s full-time, part-time and freelance contributors.
- Work within GBH and UMass HR systems for hiring, expenses, pay, and performance reviews.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of state and local issues and news events.
- Develop and analyze news leads and tips to generate story ideas and make assignments to reporters, determining appropriate platforms for broadcast and publication.
- Cover events and issues, gather sound, conduct and edit interviews, write and produce news stories for broadcast and publication by NEPM.
- Serve as NEPM’s primary point of contact for national, statewide, and regional news organizations, including GBH News, NPR and the New England News Collaborative, as well as other local news sources, curating relationships that lead to broader coverage and collaboration.
- Develop and continuously update NEPM policies and procedures around journalism ethics and standards, researching best practices from across the industry.
- Develop and oversee the annual budget of the News Department, review reporting expenses, set freelance rate structure and reviews as necessary.
- Work across NEPM departments to coordinate coverage and distribution of breaking news events, special reporting projects and special broadcasts.
- Work with senior managers to identify grant strategies for News Department projects and assist in proposal writing and other ways as needed.
- Represent the News Department in strategic planning and policy setting conversations, as required.
- Gain recognition for the station and for regional issues by serving as a subject matter expert and contributing material to NPR and other outlets.
- Establish and maintain connections and collaborative links within the community. Represent the station at public events, including serving in the role of moderator, facilitator, or speaker at community functions.
- Maintain strong relationships with NEPM stakeholders and community partners.
What skills you need:
- Sound, creative news judgment; commitment to fairness and journalism ethics.
- Ability to develop story ideas, make coverage decisions and edit to public broadcasting standards on deadline.
- Ability to report, write and voice stories to public broadcasting standards on deadline
- Familiarity with digital audio editing software, as well as broadcast and online content management systems.
- Ability to work as part of a management team.
- Ability to hire, manage, and coach a team of talented news professionals.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree with five years relevant experience in journalism or equivalent work experience required. Prior management experience required.
JOB SPECIFICS
Staff
Hybrid
LOCATION
This position is located in Springfield, MA, and requires on-site presence
NEPM is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve are diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, NEPM does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment, or promotion based on race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Application Process Assistance
NEPM will reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities who need adjustments to participate in the application or interview process. To initiate an accommodation request, contact the Human Resource department by sending an email to
human_resources@wgbh.org
or by calling 617-300-2000.