Education Lab Editor

The Post and Courier, the leading news source in South Carolina, is seeking an accomplished editor to lead our Education Lab.

This editor will lead three reporters focused on educational challenges in South Carolina and potential reforms to ensure access for all children to a high-quality education. The team pursues investigative stories and other deeply reported enterprise, concentrating on quick-turn and long-form projects as well as occasional daily coverage when significant news merits in-the-moment stories.

At The Post and Courier, you would join a Pulitzer Prize-winning culture where distinguished journalism is valued – and expected – and where journalists have the opportunity to pursue the best work of their careers, limited only by their ambition and determination.

The Education Lab Editor needs to be a strong coach and inspiring leader who is adept at spotting rich opportunities for coverage, is able to help reporters mold education issues (or trends) into high-impact, relatable journalism, and is skilled at editing complex, sensitive stories. This editor will occasionally act as a player-coach, contributing reporting or serving as lead writer on projects.

You will work closely with other editors throughout our statewide news network and will need to be a strong collaborator who can work seamlessly with our audience team, graphics and the visuals team, and other journalists or non-newsroom employees across the organization.

The Post and Courier is privately held and values its relationship with readers, believing in the idea that investing in journalism will grow digital subscribers and help sustain our business well into the future. We began expanding across the state in 2020, seeking to fill a void in news deserts or areas where local news coverage had withered. Our flagship is in Charleston, but we now operate newsrooms in multiple cities throughout South Carolina.

We are a passionate, dedicated, digital-driven news organization and seek someone who shares that journalistic passion and commitment to excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a job for a self-starter who has deep knowledge of education issues and can motivate a team to produce a steady quantity of compelling stories that fulfill the Education Lab’s mission of exploring where reforms can improve education for South Carolina’s kids.

You must be able to work comfortably under deadline pressure, be a strong coach, be a strong planner, embrace a digital-first mindset and work with a collaborative spirit. You must set the agenda for education coverage that distinguishes The Post and Courier and illuminates the big issues standing in the way of a great educational experience for all students.

Requirements, minimum education level, and experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or another field if you have journalism experience
At least 5 years of newsroom experience, including as a manager
A track record of producing exemplary journalism as a reporter and/or editor
Strong communication and interpersonal skills associated with developing trusting relationships, being an effective coach and maintaining confidentiality as needed
Strong organizational and prioritization skills with excellent follow through
Accomplished leader with clear managing and editing skills.
Ability to ensuring writing and reporting of the highest quality.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Digital skills: Can lead a team in a digital-focused news operation, with a grasp of SEO tactics and promoting work in social platforms and off platform.
Accuracy and ethics: Produces work that is accurate and fair. Understands libel and privacy issues.
Communication: Works well with editors and reporters across disciplines. Discusses original and assigned story ideas. Participates in brainstorming sessions to develop detailed and realistic story ideas.
Organizational skills: Develops a systematic approach to managing a team. Understands how to set individual and small team goals to drive overall performance.
Professional development: Seeks out and participates in training opportunities to improve skills.
Flexibility: Reacts to change productively and handles other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirement: Close eye work, continuous sitting, walking, standing, light to moderate lifting 15-30 pounds (per safety policy).

Evening Post Publishing is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer.