Local News Editor

The Local News Editor for the News-Herald and Press & Guide is responsible for leading teams to meet the daily challenges of our aggressive digital content strategies while supporting high-quality, compelling print work. We’re looking for a journalist who can demonstrate proven understanding of the digital future of news and information and advance the seamless integration of digital and print. You have exceptional writing, editing and management skills and can set the tone for a newsroom, get the best work from the staff, and can cultivate a deep understanding of the key audiences and communities to be served.

This is a newsroom leadership position for the News-Herald and Press & Guide and a member of the statewide news leadership team.

What You Will Do

A strong journalist with the highest standards for digital and print content
Strongly supports the First Amendment and has experience with watchdog reporting
Leads planning and oversees execution of content strategies; creativity and an ability to develop and execute innovative approaches are essential
Organizes, manages and leads the news content staff by reinforcing the mission and structuring the department to provide compelling local content
Identifies, selects and develops newsroom talent
Inspires the staff by providing meaningful feedback and creating opportunities for growth and achievement
Mentors writers and editors by demonstrating advanced skills in story conceptualization, thematic organization, narrative storytelling and line editing
Ensures the newsroom’s operational and news budgets are managed according to operational needs and priorities
Creates strong community connections online and in person
Identifies risks that should be taken and changes to be made, and prioritizes them by weighing short-term and long-term needs, risks and rewards

What You Will Bring

Understand the importance of content and audience engagement to the success of digital and print publications
Someone who uses ‘we’ not ‘I’ and can build a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration
Able to set clear goals and expectations to hold staff accountable for activities and results
Experience in both digital and print publications and creating content for both
Able to treat users/readers as partners; lead by example and own a vision for audience-focused digital and print publications
Experience experimenting with new digital tools and metrics, and taking responsibility for the outcomes whether good or bad
Understand SEO, what makes the web sticky and what engages and energizes users/readers
Experience in editing and leadership roles; willing to be a mentor and teacher, to help others achieve their best performances
Record of increasing audience and traffic
Experience using digital metrics and engagement to develop coverage plans and achieve traffic, engagement, audience and circulation results
Using social platforms to crowdsource content for print and digital publications
Excellent journalism, analytical and problem-solving skills
Exceptional writing and editing skills
Experience working with video
Familiarity with AP style
Experience working in a matrix-driven organization is preferred

Who We Are

The News-Herald, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, is a bi-weekly newspaper serving the Downriver suburbs of Detroit. It is based in Southgate, Michigan, and owned by MediaNews Group as part of its Detroit region. The newspaper is published every Wednesday and Sunday.

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