Senior Politics Editor
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a public benefit corporation owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Together, we’re at the center of a critical mission to create a lasting future for ambitious, engaging, and useful local journalism. We’re doing this, in part, by deepening our connection with the communities we serve. Our integrated digital and print platforms are the Philadelphia region’s largest media network. We’re passionate about building a sustainable model for indispensable local journalism, and we take pride in finding diverse, dynamic, and talented individuals to help push our team forward.
Senior Politics Editor
The Inquirer seeks an experienced, digital-savvy senior editor to run our Politics & Governing desk. We’re searching for a strong leader to guide a team of ambitious reporters through the 2024 election and beyond. The Inquirer’s political desk drew a national audience with unparalleled coverage of the 2020 election and is positioned to again deliver the biggest political stories in a key battleground state. In addition to their focus on campaigns and elections, the Politics & Governing reporters cover policy at all levels, from City Hall to Washington.
This is a position for a talented manager with a keen interest in and aptitude for the subject matter; digital-first mindset and experience; the skills to effectively guide and edit a crew of talented journalists as they toggle between daily news and enterprise; and a collaborative spirit to work seamlessly with colleagues across the newsroom.
What You’ll Do
Direct the largest team of reporters on our broader News Desk, helping them unearth and land scoops and memorable stories that will resonate across and beyond our region.
Manage multiple Politics & Governing reporters in collaboration with the deputy politics editor across different beats, supporting them in juggling breaking news priorities with short- and longer-term enterprise stories, while also proactively engaging in front-end editing to ensure stories are being properly reported and framed.
Work with the Assistant Managing Editor for News and other newsroom leaders to define and refine the strategic vision and priorities for the team, with a strong emphasis on digital audience growth and engagement.
Coordinate both breaking news and other coverage to ensure The Inquirer remains the dominant and most dependable outlet for relevant political news, particularly with increased focus on and competition in Pennsylvania, one of the most important swing states.
Identify opportunities to experiment, innovate, and explore new storytelling formats and methods to distinguish and distribute our journalism.
Collaborate with other editors across the News Desk and the newsroom to ensure smart coverage of the people, events, and issues that impact the region.
Who We’re Looking For
A journalist with a keen understanding of the workings of politics and government, including but not limited to local, state, and federal government; local, state, and federal campaigns; the intersection of policy and politics; and the country’s changing political culture and demographics. Familiarity with Pennsylvania politics preferred.
A journalist with a track record of excellence, someone who knows how and when to sharpen a story's focus, polish a lede or nut graph, or leave copy untouched.
A journalist with a keen understanding of the workings of politics and government, including but not limited to local, state, and federal government; local, state, and federal campaigns; the intersection of policy and politics; and the country’s changing political culture and demographics. Familiarity with Pennsylvania politics preferred.
A savvy digital journalist who understands different audience distribution platforms and how to target the journalistic process toward the platforms where stories are most likely to find an audience. Experience with digital best practices is a must.
A versatile line editor who can juggle multiple stories at once, from breaking news that needs to be posted quickly but with care, to ambitious enterprise.
A seamless multi-tasker who can make the daily trains run on time — compiling and sharing daily story budgets, setting and enforcing deadlines, editing and publishing stories — while also planning enterprise and coverage for big news events.
A strategic thinker who can set, articulate, and execute a clear vision for the team, ensure that hourly, daily, and weekly journalism is consistent with that vision, and adjust the vision as news and changing audience trends merit.
A leader who recognizes and plays to the strengths of their staff, while giving them the guidance and opportunities to succeed and grow.
A manager with a vision for how all the parts best fit together to maximize coverage of fast-moving stories with many angles.