Executive Editor, The Asheville Citizen-Times, Ashville, NC

USA TODAY Co. • Asheville, NC

28d

About The Position

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. The Asheville Citizen-Times, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a digital savvy, strategic and community minded executive editor who is committed to audience growth, digital innovation and powerful journalism in fast-growing Asheville and Western North Carolina. The ideal candidate has a collaborative mindset and is eager to work together to raise the newsroom’s digital acumen and drive high-quality journalism that is essential to the Western North Carolina communities it serves. This is a person fluid in news analytics, energized by new ideas, and whose enthusiasm for great journalism is contagious. The ideal candidate will be a transformational leader who is passionate about watchdog and enterprise reporting who also possesses a deep knowledge of audience. This editor must understand and illustrate how community engagement and subscriber loyalty are at the forefront of what we do and how we operate. We need a strong communicator and collaborator, as well as someone who understands how to inspire and lead even more sophisticated work through community engagement, social media and other platforms. We also need a leader who embraces the ethos of servant leadership and continuous self learning. This person must have impeccable journalism credentials, outstanding leadership skills, and a keen grasp of the ever-changing digital space, including a strong knowledge of visual storytelling. The right editor is people-centric, has lofty standards, remains focused on the most important priorities and opportunities, and easily shifts between strategy and execution. The executive editor will work collaboratively with partners in the USA TODAY Network South Region to become the voice of authority for Western North Carolinians through quality journalism, strategic outreach and diverse storytelling.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years in significant leadership roles in a newsroom with demonstrated success.
• Clear understanding of the First Amendment and the highest regard for upholding those standards.
• Experience in high-level decision-making with complex, impactful or sensitive news content.
• Experience working in industries undergoing substantial change and transformation.
• A history of successful leadership, innovation and goal achievement.
• Demonstrated change leader who collaborates and communicates effectively.
• Personal charisma, comfort with public speaking and commitment to staff interaction.
• Understanding of the changing media landscape and ability to adapt strategies that address continually changing market and consumer needs and desires.
• Demonstrated strong competitive instincts and intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and coordinate in an environment of accountability.
• Demonstrated track record in recruiting a highly successful leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Uphold the highest journalism standards across digital and print platforms, strongly support the First Amendment and conceive, pursue and execute watchdog reporting.
• Develop and implement a multi-platform digital vision and strategy focused on achieving target audience specific goals and objectives.
• Provide leadership and be knowledgeable in state and local news, investigative journalism, Helene recovery issues, public service and government issues.
• Champion change management efforts that include strong communication of the company’s strategic initiatives, purpose, vision, culture and plan.
• Lead the planning and oversee execution of content strategies with a keen eye focused on strategic audiences. Special emphasis is placed on digital and other new platforms. Creativity and an ability to develop and execute innovative approaches are essential.
• Facilitate strong community connections with a relevant editorial voice and personal interaction.
• Attract, retain and develop top talent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive