NPR’s National Desk has an opening for an Editor to oversee coverage of race and identity in America. This editor would run a team of reporters to explore the political, social and cultural implications of an increasingly diverse nation.
The United States is undergoing seismic demographic changes. By 2045, the country is projected to become majority minority, as racial minorities grow and the white population ages. Other changes are also underway, from where people live and how they define themselves to the widening gulf between rich and poor and the shift from Baby Boomers to Millennials.
Meanwhile, debates over civil liberties and inequality continue to be a mainstay in American life, and our divisions drive identity politics and culture wars. This editor would explore these rifts along racial, sexual/gender, demographic and socioeconomic lines, while also looking for stories about people trying to overcome their differences.
- Work with a team of reporters/correspondents to develop story ideas and a long-term coverage plan, build sourcing and improve storytelling skills on all platforms.
- Edit stories for all platforms, including digital and visual media, social networks and various audio platforms, with the goal of reaching the largest audiences with the biggest impact.
- Work collaboratively with editors, reporters and researchers across the NPR news division and at member stations.
- Act as a liaison between national reporters and NPR’s Code Switch team.
- Prioritize and manage time well; meet deadlines; remain responsive and flexible in the face of the demands of programming and the news cycle.
- Coordinate coverage plan with shows, digital editors and other desks.
- Protect the editorial integrity and quality of news online and on the air, ensuring that all stories meet NPR program standards and practices, including standards of fairness, objectivity and balance.
- Provide feedback to supervisors for performance evaluations;
- Represent the National Desk in meetings and other forums.
- Other duties as assigned.
- At least five years’ experience as an editor at a daily or weekly news organization.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Experience in editorial decision-making, including assigning reporters/correspondents.
- Ability to coordinate and edit breaking news coverage and manage longer-term enterprise projects, often simultaneously.
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.
- Demonstrated team collaboration skills
- Experience in editing for the web and in using social media.
- Proven ability to work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and in the public radio system.
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Audio journalism experience preferred but not required.
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.