Editor, Visuals - MPR News

American Public Media Group•Saint Paul, MN

12h•$39 - $47•Hybrid

About The Position

The Editor, Visuals will be a leader and champion of visual storytelling across MPR News, shaping how journalism is conceived, presented, and experienced on every channel (platform). This role carries dual responsibility: driving strong visual editorial judgment throughout the newsroom and helping improve the production systems and workflows that bring that journalism to life. At the core of this position is a commitment to elevating visual thinking from the very beginning of the editorial process. The editor will be a key voice in story planning conversations — helping reporters, producers, and editors identify visual opportunities before assignments develop and ensuring that the strongest visual approach is considered alongside the story itself. This includes guiding decisions around lead images, visual narratives and innovative video storytelling in shaping how stories are presented and building a newsroom culture where visual judgment is valued at every level. In fast-moving news situations, this editor will help teams make strong visual decisions quickly — prioritizing coverage, allocating resources effectively, and identifying where visual storytelling can have the greatest impact for our audience. Timely visual feedback and editorial clarity are essential to this work. The editor brings expert experience with the tools and technology of visual newsgathering and news production, with priority on audio and video. Working in close partnership with Operations/Production, the editor reviews and implements production tools and technology systems, ensuring all team members have the foundational support they need to create compelling, engaging content. The editor develops detailed plans to reach concrete goals and works hands-on to realize them: directing work and coordinating visual staff and freelancers, and training staff on audio, visual (still and video), digital production, and CMS. In addition to leadership and team building responsibilities, the editor will produce and edit exceptional daily visual news, features, explainers, evergreen content, and long-term projects — modeling the visual standards and storytelling strategy they champion across the newsroom. The ability to collaborate effectively with news leaders, reporters, and cross-departmental teams is essential. In a multichannel environment where visuals shape audience engagement and first impressions, this editor helps ensure that MPR News content informs, includes, and inspires Minnesota audiences across the state. This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between MPR and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”).

Requirements

5+ years visual journalism experience, with an emphasis on video, including experience editing and managing the content and workflows of others
Must demonstrate an ability to foster exceptional standards while coaching, inspiring and leading
Experience developing and delivering content with a mastery of news video and still photography shooting and editing skills.
Experience planning news coverage, managing and/or training others for exceptional performance.
Proven news judgment with a commitment to superior quality and innovative journalism
Understanding of media production and editing for selected, discriminating audiences
Fluency with standard multimedia production (shooting, editing, lighting) tools, including various visual formats and transfer technologies
Able to work well and productively in an environment where news is constantly changing and being updated and have the temperament to enjoy the process
Ability to prioritize work and make staff assignments and resource decisions in a fast-paced media environment
Excellent coaching, communication, and teamwork skills
Understanding of and commitment to quality management and continuous improvement
Knowledge of the law and its application to news and cultural programming on the web
Ability to work across a range of skills and in a flexible manner, carrying out responsibilities in accordance with APMG’s mission, values and professional standards.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with advanced multimedia programs and techniques
Familiarity with encoding and streaming content in a variety of formats

Responsibilities

Guide and edit audio/visual news content, cultivating superior performance in a digital-first newsroom environment across all platforms
Lead, train and assign the MPR News visual team, as well as managing and assigning contract/freelance journalists
Demonstrate expertise in all technology, tools and processes necessary to produce superior audio/visual news content on all platforms, including but not limited to radio, websites, emails, social media, podcasts, and other evolving products. Train and support news staff in these tools and workflow for meeting and exceeding digital transformation goals and content performance
In collaboration with Operations/Production, manage and assign newsroom visual and digital equipment, including but not limited to audio field gear, cameras and kits for newsgathering and content delivery
Ability to work in a fast-paced news environment, bring bold editorial and production ideas to every day to planning and make editorial and logistical decisions quickly as changing events dictate
Foster a creative and productive teamwork environment
Other duties as assigned, occasional nights, weekends and holidays