Editor

MediaNews Group•San Diego, CA

21h•$104,998 - $115,024•Remote

About The Position

The San Diego Union-Tribune is seeking an experienced, ambitious editor to run its watchdog and government coverage, driving a focus on accountability coverage across the newsroom and leading a hybrid team of investigative journalists as well as beat reporters covering local government, politics and education. This is a key position at the center of the newsroom of the newspaper of record for California’s second-largest city and a binational region of millions. This editor should be a curious journalist, a sharp line editor, an encouraging mentor and a skilled manager. In addition, they should demonstrate impeccable news judgment and a collaborative leadership style. Guided by a commitment to truth, ethics, fairness, transparency, and civic good, they’ll inspire the best in a team of committed journalists while elevating the Union-Tribune’s coverage and delivering the kind of high-impact journalism that readers and the public expect. Although this is a remote position, candidates must reside in California.

Requirements

Strong managerial skills, with the patience and confidence to work with reporters with varying experience levels, interests and styles, and help them all excel
An encouraging, curious and collaborative approach, and a commitment to building trust
Solid editing skills, from early guidance on direction and story framing to line editing for structure, style, accuracy and fairness
Demonstrable experience and impact in investigative or accountability journalism
Experience helming long-running, complex enterprise journalism, including handling legal reviews, sensitive sourcing, difficult public records requests and pressure from reporting subjects
Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and respecting the audiences and communities the Union-Tribune serves
Rigorous news judgment and an unwavering commitment to fairness, accuracy and ethics

Responsibilities

Manage a team of beat reporters covering local government, politics, communities and schools, as well as a team of investigative reporters tackling a wide range of high-impact, accountability-focused stories on San Diego’s most important issues
Lead the Union-Tribune’s investigative strategy — helping to set priorities and standards, and making the case throughout the newsroom for rigorous, accountability-focused reporting in all areas — while leading and shaping coverage of regional government, politics and related issues
Shape watchdog journalism from the ground up and work to deepen news coverage with investigative tactics, helping reporters develop ideas, sourcing, records requests and lines of questioning
Ensure a mix of daily news coverage, quicker-turn enterprise stories and progress on long-term investigative projects
Coach and mentor reporters of all experience levels, working closely one-on-one, facilitating collaboration and helping them develop their skills, ideas and careers
Edit all stories for accuracy, clarity, structure, fairness and style
Collaborate with other editors, visual journalists and reporters to identify areas to grow, improve and diversify news coverage
Develop and sustain a collegial, creative team culture where reporters feel supported to ask hard questions and take big swings