Managing Editor

The Investigative Project on Race and Equity is seeking a Chicago-based Managing Editor to lead in-depth reporting projects on critical issues in the Chicago area at the intersection of public policy and racial equity. This job is a part-time contractual position.

The Managing Editor will be responsible for identifying investigative projects, leading collaborations, editing and coaching reporters

This part-time position requires 20 hours per week over 50 weeks. Pay is commensurate with experience. Most work can be done remotely, but there will be occasional in-person meetings and events that require the Managing Editor.

Job Overview: We seek a dedicated, experienced and collaborative Managing Editor to lead our editorial team in producing impactful, data-driven journalism. The Managing Editor will play a crucial role in shaping content strategy, creating and managing editorial processes while also ensuring the quality and integrity of the reporting. This role requires a strong journalistic background, exceptional leadership skills and a passion for the mission.

The Managing Editor reports to the Project Director.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Editorial Leadership:

Provide strategic direction and vision for the editorial team in alignment with the organization's mission and goals.
Collaborate with reporters, writers and editors to identify and prioritize key topics and stories.
Oversee the planning, execution and evaluation of all editorial content, ensuring it meets high journalistic standards.
Foster a culture of excellence, creativity and innovation within the editorial team.
Develop and execute content strategies that are revelatory, engaging and support the nonprofit mission.

Editorial Management:

Manage a team of reporters, apprentices and other editorial contributors, providing guidance, feedback and mentorship.
Coordinate editorial workflows, deadlines and assignments to produce efficient and timely content.

Quality Control:

Review and edit articles for accuracy, clarity and adherence to journalistic standards.
Collaborate with media partners on story selection, reporting and editing, and data interpretation. Oversee fact-checking, verify data and reporting sources and ensure legal compliance.

Community Engagement:

Help package editorial content for online platforms and social media to expand the audience and enhance engagement.
Foster connections and collaborations with local communities and key stakeholders.
Participate in outreach efforts to build and maintain relationships with readers and supporters.

Collaboration:

Collaborate with the project director and the fundraising, training and development teams to support grant applications and donor relations, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Proven experience in editorial leadership, preferably in a newsroom or journalism environment.
Bachelor's degree and/or significant experience in journalism, including five years as an editor or investigative reporter.
Strong editorial judgment and ethical principles.
Excellent writing and editing skills.
Experience with data-driven journalistic investigations and computer assisted reporting.
Familiarity with digital publishing tools and content management systems necessary to manage editorial content.
Exceptional communication, teamwork and project management skills.
Commitment to nonprofit journalism and the mission of the Investigative Project.

We are dedicated to ensuring that our organization reflects the region we cover and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for people of different ages and backgrounds. We encourage members of historically underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.