Back to top

Digital Editor, National Desk

This job is no longer available

Culver City, CA, USA
Full-time

NPR is seeking an experienced digital editor to develop sharply focused, high-impact stories for our digital audiences. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of news editing experience with most of that in a digital-first environment. We’re looking for an editor who understands both storytelling and social media. Knowledge and experience with SEO best practices is a must. NPR is a diverse newsroom filled with talented people and big ideas, and this editor will play a crucial role in helping to shape those ideas and deliver them in ways that exceed the high expectations of our digital audience. We want an editor who is imaginative, skilled and fast.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Plans and edits online daily news and features stories, working directly with National Desk reporters, correspondents, editors and producers on digital stories.
  • Partners with Engagement/Social team to optimize story presentations for digital audiences; paying particular attention to timing, social promotion and display type.
  • Oversees coordination of assignments with other digital editors to assure continuity.
  • Initiates story conversations with National Desk staff and others desks, shows or digital platforms, proposing story ideas that will meet the needs of our digital audiences.
  • As requested, handles news shifts: working on deadline and under pressure, writes excellent headlines, teasers and other display copy for all assigned stories.
  • Collaborates with others to create multimedia elements: videos, audios, photo galleries, interactive elements.
  • Responsible for determining needs for rights clearances and permissions for acquired material.
  • Occasionally commissions commentaries from freelancers and/or commentary writers and edits them on deadline.
  • Oversees assigned material to outside talent with supervisors support to manage contract negotiations and filings.
  • Responsible for editing radio pieces, as needed.
  • Provides representation of the National Desk in news meetings when needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Educational Background: 
Bachelor’s degree in any related discipline; Journalism, English, Political Science preferred or previous intensive writing discipline and/or equivalent work experience
Skills/Experience: 
  • A minimum 8 years experience in daily news (print or digital).
  • At least 3 years of experience in editorial decision-making on deadline demonstrating solid independent news judgment.
  • Expertise in writing, with excellence in news writing, copy-editing and headline writing for digital publishing.
  • Strong knowledge of search-engine optimization and headline-writing for the search audience.
  • Experience working with social media, including developing a social media profile of your own.
  • Demonstrated ability to generate and execute complex creative ideas, to assimilate and organize large amounts of information.
  • Strong oral and written, communication and presentation skills.
  • Experience maintaining high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of objectivity, balance and fairness.
  • Ability and willingness to work off-hours shifts, including very early mornings, nights, weekends and/or holidays.
  • Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure. Incumbent must be able to edit breaking stories for immediate posting.
  • Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
  • Ability and willingness to relocate. In the future, NPR may choose to transfer employees to other geographic locations. Severance provisions of the SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement will apply should you choose not to accept a transfer.

PREFERRED SKILLS

  • Familiarity with NPR member stations and public media system.
  • Expertise in writing, copy-editing, headline writing and audio production.
  • Experience writing and editing under breaking news conditions.
  • Experience and skill with digital publishing software.
  • Experience producing on digital audio workstations.
  • Prior HTML skills.
Compensation/Benefits: 

NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.

Organization Info

National Public Radio, Inc.

Overview
Headquarters: 
Washington, DC, United States
Founded: 
1971
About Us
Mission: 

NPR's mission is to work in partnership with member stations to create a more informed public-one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures. To accomplish our mission, NPR produces, acquires and distributes programming that meets the highest standards of public service in journalism and cultural expression. Our vision is to serve the public as the leading provider of high quality news, information and cultural programming worldwide.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Aug 11 2019
Active Until: 
Sep 11 2019
Hiring Organization: 
National Public Radio, Inc.
industry: 
Nonprofit