News Editor, The Stranger

Noisy Creek•Seattle, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Stranger is seeking a News Editor to lead ambitious, original news coverage and strengthen the publication’s role as an essential source for Seattle local news. Working closely with the Editor in Chief, the News Editor will shape coverage ranging from breaking news and daily reporting to investigations and accountability journalism. The role calls for sharp news judgment, curiosity about Seattle and its power structures, and the ability to help reporters produce well-sourced, compelling stories and build expertise on their beats. The position leads coverage across the web, newsletters including Slog AM, and the monthly print edition. It includes assigning and editing stories, coaching reporters and freelancers, planning election coverage and special projects, collaborating across editorial and production teams, meeting print and digital deadlines, and partnering with editors at other Noisy Creek publications. The News Editor also organizes and oversees The Stranger Election Control Board and helps foster a newsroom culture grounded in journalistic integrity, healthy debate, and respect. This is a full-time, exempt management position. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, with possible nights and weekends during breaking news, elections, and other major events. Some telecommuting is allowed with approval from the Editor in Chief. The role requires regular attendance at The Stranger’s Capitol Hill offices and generally working from the office to lead and support reporters. Salary is $100,000.

Requirements

At least 5 years of journalism experience, with a strong focus on news reporting and/or editing.
Strong news judgment and a proven ability to break stories.
Deep knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, Seattle, King County, and Washington State politics and civic life.
Strong line-editing skills and ability to edit quickly and cleanly on deadline.
Demonstrated experience coaching journalists to strengthen their reporting and writing.
Solid understanding of media law, ethics, and sourcing standards.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience as an editor.
Experience at an alt-weekly or independent local news outlet, or demonstrated ability to compellingly report news other outlets have overlooked, misunderstood, or under-investigated.
An established network of sources in Seattle-area government and civic organizations.
Experience with public records requests, data journalism, or investigative reporting.
Experience planning election coverage or voter guides.

Responsibilities

Lead daily news coverage across the web, newsletters (including Slog AM), and the monthly print edition.
Identify and own the stories that matter in Seattle.
Break news and cultivate original reporting on local government, politics, housing, public safety, labor, and other civic issues.
Assign, edit, and shape stories from breaking news to longform investigations, overseeing fact-checking, accuracy, clarity, and style.
Build and uphold beat discipline, ensuring reporters own their beats, develop sources, and deliver authoritative coverage.
Coach and develop reporters and freelancers with clear, direct, supportive feedback.
Plan and lead election coverage and special news projects in partnership with the Editor in Chief.
Collaborate with the Arts, Photo, Art, Social, Podcast, and Video teams to tell news stories across formats and platforms.
Meet production deadlines and goals for print and digital formats.
Partner with news editors across Noisy Creek publications to share stories, strategies, and best practices.
Help foster a newsroom culture built on journalistic integrity, healthy debate, and respect for colleagues.
Organize and oversee The Stranger Election Control Board.

Benefits

Employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision premiums.
Employer-matched retirement plan.
Accrued paid vacation: two weeks annually, increasing to four weeks after five years.
One week of paid sick time accrued per year, with rollover.
Nine paid holidays, a paid holiday week between December 24 and January 1, and two any-day floating holidays.
Bereavement leave and jury duty leave, plus options to supplement state-paid family and medical leave.
Discounted transit pass.
Annual professional development stipend for training and career-related learning.
Employee Assistance Program with wellness and financial support services.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with pre-tax contributions.