What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investigations Editor position at The Philadelphia Inquirer?
The Philadelphia Inquirer is seeking an investigations editor, a masthead position, to run its prize-winning investigative team. We’re looking for a news leader with an impressive track record of helping reporters navigate complex stories that expose abuses of power, government corruption, and exploitative business practices.
Some of our award-winning investigations include Toxic City: Sick Schools; Under Fire; Crumbling City; and The Wrong Man.
The Inquirer, winner of 20 Pulitzer Prizes, is owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute, a philanthropic organization dedicated to sustaining local news. The Philadelphia area is a diverse and vital region — a major hub in healthcare, education, and financial services, and home to five professional sports teams. The area also is anchored by a major city with deep poverty and civic ills that cry out for committed reporting that can drive change.
Ideal candidates for this job will have 5 to 10 years experience developing, managing and landing significant investigative stories and presenting them in innovative ways that use all the sophisticated tools and platforms available.
They will help reporters assess ideas, screening for accountability and impact, manage public records requests, and keep momentum on monthslong investigations. They will also supervise the Quick Strike unit (3 reporters, 1 editor), which produces fast-turn accountability stories, often spun from major breaking news. Ideal candidates will have conceived and edited different forms of storytelling, from narratives to interactives, and have a flair for honing copy.
This position involves juggling a variety of high-level projects, weighing in on story selection and direction, guiding the reporting and writing process, revising and line editing, as well as working with staffers from other desks, such as data, video, interactives and audience. This person will report to The Inquirer’s editor and senior vice president, Gabriel Escobar.
What You’ll Do
About Us.
Since 1829, The Philadelphia Inquirer has been “asking on behalf of the people” of Philadelphia and the region by providing essential journalism. Locally owned and headquartered in Center City Philadelphia, The Inquirer is a for-profit public benefit corporation under the non-profit Lenfest Institute. Its multiple brand platforms — including newspapers, Inquirer.com, e-Editions, apps, newsletters, podcasts, and live events — provide Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism to a growing audience that includes more than 180,000 subscribers and 20 million monthly impressions.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is committed to attracting a diverse group of people to join our team. As part of our mission, we are seeking candidates who share our passion for indispensable journalism and our drive to create a sustainable business model to support it.
We value diverse levels of experience, abilities, and backgrounds. Because of this, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed in the job description. The Inquirer may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
The Inquirer is building an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We especially encourage people from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds to apply for vacant positions at all levels of the organization, including but not limited to people of color, women, people who identify as LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state and/or local law.
Some of our award-winning investigations include Toxic City: Sick Schools; Under Fire; Crumbling City; and The Wrong Man.
The Inquirer, winner of 20 Pulitzer Prizes, is owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute, a philanthropic organization dedicated to sustaining local news. The Philadelphia area is a diverse and vital region — a major hub in healthcare, education, and financial services, and home to five professional sports teams. The area also is anchored by a major city with deep poverty and civic ills that cry out for committed reporting that can drive change.
Ideal candidates for this job will have 5 to 10 years experience developing, managing and landing significant investigative stories and presenting them in innovative ways that use all the sophisticated tools and platforms available.
They will help reporters assess ideas, screening for accountability and impact, manage public records requests, and keep momentum on monthslong investigations. They will also supervise the Quick Strike unit (3 reporters, 1 editor), which produces fast-turn accountability stories, often spun from major breaking news. Ideal candidates will have conceived and edited different forms of storytelling, from narratives to interactives, and have a flair for honing copy.
This position involves juggling a variety of high-level projects, weighing in on story selection and direction, guiding the reporting and writing process, revising and line editing, as well as working with staffers from other desks, such as data, video, interactives and audience. This person will report to The Inquirer’s editor and senior vice president, Gabriel Escobar.
What You’ll Do
- Supervise a team of Philadelphia-based reporters working on important stories and projects.
- Work closely with reporters to select accountability stories that can point to needed change and coach them to overcome reporting challenges.
- Edit stories, including identifying and fixing any structural issues and ensuring careful factchecking.
- Serve as an advocate and occasional trainer for accountability journalism across the newsroom.
- In 2024, the investigations team was responsible for 224 stories; more than 40% had shared bylines with other desks. Strong communication is essential in working with interactives, video, data visualization, photo, engagement and other desks to maximize the journalism.
- Collaborate with existing external partners such as ProPublica, Spotlight PA, The Trace, and others, and seek out new ones.
- Have experience with public records and the law, become knowledgeable about Pennsylvania practices, and work with our network of First Amendment lawyers when we are wrongfully denied public records.
- Track and document the impact of Inquirer investigative journalism and brief stakeholders on that impact.
- Contribute to an inclusive and positive work environment
- At least five to 10 years’ experience in accountability reporting and has managed or led complex investigations as a team leader or editor.
- Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to juggle many responsibilities, meet deadlines and handle pressure with aplomb.
- Brings new ideas, experiences, backgrounds and viewpoints to elevate The Inquirer’s journalism.
- A willingness to consider all the ways an investigation can be presented – text, visuals, interactives, or other effective and creative ways.
- A knowledge and understanding of audience metrics and the insights they provide.
- Has a track record that shows a commitment to diversity, ensuring that story topics and sources reflect the communities we cover.
About Us.
Since 1829, The Philadelphia Inquirer has been “asking on behalf of the people” of Philadelphia and the region by providing essential journalism. Locally owned and headquartered in Center City Philadelphia, The Inquirer is a for-profit public benefit corporation under the non-profit Lenfest Institute. Its multiple brand platforms — including newspapers, Inquirer.com, e-Editions, apps, newsletters, podcasts, and live events — provide Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism to a growing audience that includes more than 180,000 subscribers and 20 million monthly impressions.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is committed to attracting a diverse group of people to join our team. As part of our mission, we are seeking candidates who share our passion for indispensable journalism and our drive to create a sustainable business model to support it.
We value diverse levels of experience, abilities, and backgrounds. Because of this, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed in the job description. The Inquirer may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
The Inquirer is building an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We especially encourage people from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds to apply for vacant positions at all levels of the organization, including but not limited to people of color, women, people who identify as LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state and/or local law.
