Watchdog Editor

MediaNews Group•San Diego, CA

20h•Remote

About The Position

The San Diego Union-Tribune is seeking an experienced, ambitious editor to run its watchdog and government coverage, drive accountability coverage across the newsroom, and lead a hybrid team of investigative journalists and beat reporters covering local government, politics, communities, and schools. This is a key newsroom position serving California’s second-largest city and a binational region of millions. The editor should be a curious journalist, sharp line editor, encouraging mentor, and skilled manager, with strong news judgment and a collaborative leadership style. The role is guided by commitments to truth, ethics, fairness, transparency, and civic good. The Watchdog Editor manages beat and investigative reporters, leads the Union-Tribune’s investigative strategy, and shapes coverage of regional government, politics, and related issues. The editor helps reporters develop investigative ideas, sourcing, records requests, and lines of questioning; ensures a mix of daily news, quick-turn enterprise, and long-term investigative work; edits stories; coaches reporters; collaborates across the newsroom; and develops a supportive, creative team culture. Although remote, candidates must reside in California. The salary range is $104,998–$115,024, plus a cell phone stipend. Pay depends on factors including geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, and certifications. Eligible employees may receive medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k), paid time off, and select paid holidays. A full pre-employment background check is required. Recruitment is continuous until the position is filled.

Requirements

Strong managerial skills and the patience and confidence to work with reporters with varying experience levels, interests, and styles.
An encouraging, curious, and collaborative approach, with a commitment to building trust.
Solid editing skills, including early guidance on direction and framing and line editing for structure, style, accuracy, and fairness.
Demonstrable experience and impact in investigative or accountability journalism.
Experience leading long-running, complex enterprise journalism, including 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 served.
Rigorous news judgment and an unwavering commitment to fairness, accuracy, and ethics.
Must reside in California.
Must be willing to submit to and pass required pre-employment checks.

Responsibilities

Manage beat reporters covering local government, politics, communities, and schools, as well as investigative reporters working on high-impact accountability stories.
Lead investigative strategy by helping set priorities and standards and advocating for rigorous accountability reporting across the newsroom.
Lead and shape coverage of regional government, politics, and related issues.
Help reporters develop investigative ideas, sources, records requests, and lines of questioning.
Ensure a mix of daily news coverage, quick-turn enterprise stories, and progress on long-term investigative projects.
Coach and mentor reporters at all experience levels through one-on-one work, collaboration, and career and skills development.
Edit stories for accuracy, clarity, structure, fairness, and style.
Collaborate with editors, visual journalists, and reporters to identify ways to grow, improve, and diversify coverage.
Develop and sustain a collegial, creative team culture that supports reporters in asking hard questions and pursuing ambitious stories.