Executive Editor - NEWSWELL Chicago

NEWSWELL at Arizona State University•IL Remote, IL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

NEWSWELL Chicago is seeking an ambitious, community-minded Executive Editor to lead one of the Chicago region’s strongest portfolios of local news organizations. This leader will oversee editorial strategy and day-to-day newsroom operations across NEWSWELL Chicago’s portfolio of trusted local publications, strengthening each title while building a more connected, impactful newsroom. The Executive Editor will be responsible for producing exceptional journalism, growing audience, deepening community engagement and helping shape the next chapter of local news in the communities we serve. This is a hands-on leadership role for an editor with strong news judgment, excellent editing skills and a genuine belief in the power of community journalism. The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities, edit news copy and serve as a visible ambassador in the communities we cover. The Executive Editor will also play a meaningful role in audience development, newsletters, digital publishing, fundraising support and expansion initiatives as NEWSWELL Chicago continues to grow.

Requirements

10+ years of journalism experience, including meaningful newsroom leadership experience
Strong editing background with demonstrated excellence in story development and copy editing
Experience managing reporters, editors, freelancers or cross-functional teams
Strong understanding of digital publishing, newsletters, audience engagement and modern newsroom tools
Demonstrated commitment to fairness, accuracy, ethics and inclusion in journalism
Experienced editor and newsroom leader with excellent news judgment
Strong line editor who makes stories sharper, clearer and more impactful
Thoughtful people manager who knows how to coach, challenge and support talent
Audience-minded, digitally fluent and comfortable leading across platforms
Comfortable balancing daily journalism demands with longer-range editorial strategy
Visible and credible public representative for a newsroom

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a newsroom or print publication environment.
Knowledge of Chicago and its surrounding communities preferred, but not required
Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and community‑focused journalism.
Spanish fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day editorial operations across NEWSWELL Chicago’s newsroom, setting priorities, managing workflows and maintaining a strong culture of accountability and excellence
Direct editorial strategy across print, digital, newsletters and emerging platforms
Assign, shape and edit stories with an emphasis on quality reporting, strong storytelling, fairness and accuracy
Edit a significant volume of copy while maintaining high editorial standards and efficient production rhythms
Recruit, manage, coach and develop newsroom talent, including reporters, editors, audience staff, fellows, interns and freelance contributors
Oversee and collaborate closely with senior editorial and audience leaders, including the senior adviser/associate editor and senior audience manager
Use analytics, listening and newsroom instinct to guide coverage decisions and better serve community information needs
Represent NEWSWELL Chicago publicly at events and community gatherings and through partnerships and media appearances
Collaborate with leadership on fundraising efforts, donor engagement, editorial impact reporting
Help identify and develop opportunities to expand NEWSWELL Chicago’s reach, impact and editorial footprint
Champion community journalism, strong newsroom values and an ambitious and collaborative culture
Foster an inclusive, respectful and collaborative newsroom culture that values diversity, encourages belonging, empowers staff and celebrates both individual and team successes.
Uphold and model NEWSWELL’s values of fairness, inclusion, transparency and trust, and promote civil, solutions‑minded public discourse through editorial decisions and leadership.