Local newsroom Denverite, which is roommates with CPR News, is hiring a lead editor to push its daily news metabolism, to sharpen its approach to long-term goals and projects, to grow overall and loyal audiences, and to seek, grab and manage the unusual opportunities that arise for a newsroom that has a startup mentality, a really delightful staff and access to the resources of Colorado's fastest growing news organization.
In assigning and editing daily coverage on the website and the newsletter, the editor is the on-the-ground steward of Denverite's long-term growth and mission in close collaboration with the Managing Editor for Digital, and also consults on Denver-area coverage for Colorado Public Radio.
Candidates must be able to triage, assign and edit in breaking news situations, and know how to pick moments for something voicey, funny, pointy, observational -- essentially, those unusual (but not *that* unusual) cases in which something's worth more of a reported blog approach.
Candidates should be interested in how cities work, from city planning to legislation to neighborhood activism, and in how cities play, including arts, dining, the outdoors and more. The editor will be involved in the long-term balance and interplay of all of these things -- as well as in how we work with and grow our membership to do the best job we can for the Denver metro area. Strategic thinking and an adventurous, entrepreneurial approach will be critical to long-term success in this role.
How are you hiring?
All of the official application stuff is right here - but up front, for all applicants, we're looking for the usual materials, plus answers to two questions. Our HR team is really thorough in communicating next steps. You can read a complete job posting here or just get straight to the application here. The hiring range is $71,900 - $95,800.
Why are you hiring?
Our current editor is moving out of state and we wish her well.
When are you hiring?
Ideally someone will start sometime in early fall (apply now).
Who are you hiring?
Our ideal candidate will have the following qualities:
- An understanding of and interest in tactical approaches to growing and serving audiences of different backgrounds and interests in a city
- Interest in how cities work, from city planning to legislation to neighborhood activism, and how cities play, including arts, dining, the outdoors and more.
- Ability to discuss pros and cons of specific journalistic approaches to topics or stories with reporters, fellow editors, and other staff.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and energized by the work of shaping a young news brand.
- Ability to identify and champion stories that emphasize and leverage what makes a city unique
Minimum Qualifications:
- 5 - 7 years of experience broadly related to the position. An Associates degree may replace up to 2 years experience, and Bachelor's degree can replace up to 4 years experience. This experience should include supporting a nimble staff, helping reporters shape their beats and assign specific stories, and at least a year of newsletter authoring and editing experience
- Strong news judgment informed by equitable and empathetic journalistic values
- Excellent attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively, meet deadlines, handle multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced digital environment.
- Experience with quickly and precisely editing stories on deadline or for long-term projects and the ability write the occasional breaking story
- Experience with looking up, understanding and analyzing audience data to create suggested courses of action
- Content management experience, particularly with WordPress is advantageous
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record
- While not required, it's preferable if candidates know how to speak Spanish
- While not required, it's preferable if candidates have the ability to look at government agendas and budgets and communicate how items could be stories that clearly relate to people's everyday lives.
- While not required, it's preferable if candidates have knowledge of the Denver metro area
- While not required, it's preferable if candidates have public speaking experience
Education Equivalency
- An Associates degree may replace up to 2 years experience, and Bachelor's degree can replace up to 4 years experience.
At Denverite and Colorado Public Radio we are committed to cultivating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace that helps us represent the voices of the communities within Colorado. We highly encourage candidates with unique contributions such as ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, nation of origin, age, language, veteran status, color, religion, disability and sexual orientation to apply to our openings. CPR is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
