Executive Editor
The Plymouth Independent, an emerging nonprofit digital newspaper based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is seeking an innovative, experienced, and committed Executive Editor to steer our efforts to build a vibrant local news organization. Our mission is to inform and engage the public on important local issues, including government, education, culture, land use, housing, and the environment. We maintain editorial independence and a firewall between our news coverage decisions and our sources of funding to ensure that our journalism is free from fear or favor. Our goal is to promote transparency, accountability, and community engagement through reliable, fact-based journalism.
We seek an Executive Editor to not only contribute to the strategy and operations of our financially well-supported news organization, but also to be a proactive, on-the-ground journalist. The successful candidate will work hand-in-hand with a small team and an enthusiastic Board of Directors to establish and expand the Plymouth Independent. This role demands a profound passion for local journalism, a pioneering spirit, and a commitment to immerse oneself in the local community to provide firsthand coverage of important events.
Key Responsibilities
As Executive Editor, you will have the support of our Board of Directors, building the organizational foundation with sustainable practices and strategic planning. You’ll forge and nurture relationships with many professional, civic, and private organizations to enhance our mission strategically. As a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion, you’ll weave these principles into our strategic vision, aligning all policies and practices with Plymouth Independent’s values. You’ll also serve as our primary spokesperson, giving voice to our community and media interactions.
Our journalism operations will be under your stewardship and you will play the leading role in defining the scope for our coverage. You’ll spearhead the recruitment and development of a diverse and talented newsroom staff, providing supervision and fostering collaboration. You’ll uphold ethical, stylish, and fair standards. You’ll balance creativity and pragmatism in our coverage, acting swiftly in our fast-paced news environment. From story editor for in-depth articles to managing the publication calendar, you’ll steer our news production. By building strong relationships with community stakeholders, you’ll keep a pulse on emerging stories and local concerns.
You’ll partner with the Board to develop an annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability. You’ll also join forces with the Advancement Committee to support fundraising initiatives, which range from grant applications and donor relations to local business sponsorships.
The ideal candidate comes with at least five years of leadership experience in a news organization, showcasing excellent communication skills and a profound passion for local news. You should be well-versed in planning, delegating, executing in-depth reporting, and have a keen interest in investigative journalism. Familiarity with the business side of a media organization is desirable, along with web publishing and social media skills. We value a belief in maintaining work-life balance while maintaining high-quality output. If this description resonates with you, we would love to hear from you.