Managing Editor

G/O Media is looking for a Managing Editor to assist the Editor in Chief in leading and growing The Root, a storied brand committed to important, relevant and urgent storytelling by and for the Black community.

The ideal applicant is deeply invested in the issues driving conversation and debate in Black communities, which inspired Henry Louis Gates to found The Root back in 2008. You are an idea machine, connected to established, top-tier writers who you can tap for freelance opportunities. We want to make noise in this category, with smart, buzzy storytelling about politics, pop culture, and everything in between. We want to be a differentiated voice in a crowded field, and your vision will help us achieve that.

In addition to your journalism chops, you are a seasoned manager who can help corral a diverse team of 10+ writers and editors and coordinate what we produce and when we publish. You are exceedingly organized, resourceful, and professional, a team player who can edit and assign (quickly!), as well as manage the site’s budget.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Execute the strategic editorial policy (as determined by the Editor in Chief in tandem with the leadership of G/O Media).
Ensure the site’s work across all platforms meets the highest standards of editorial excellence and positions the site as authoritative and agenda-setting; includes assigning and editing copy.
Stewardship of the site’s authentic and fearless voice, based on thorough reporting, strong opinion, conversational style and skepticism of conventional wisdom
Oversee daily production of the site’s output across multiple distribution channels; manage the freelance budget and site P&L.
Help meet targets for growing the reach, loyalty and engagement of the site’s audience.
Assist in developing editorial staff
Represent the title externally at events and in the media to raise its profile
Ability to assess the short and long term traffic to The Root with an eye toward implementing tactics that utilize the data

Qualifications:

Strong leadership skills with at least 5+ years of experience (ideally most of it in Black media or in related coverage areas); experience managing a team of journalists in a fast-paced deadline-driven, digital environment.
Experience in video, TV, podcasts and other platforms into which The Root can expand a plus.
First-rate editorial judgment and editorial skills.
Ability to generate original ideas for creative and engaging content
Demonstrable interpersonal skills with the ability to manage, motivate and mentor a diverse and talented team of writers and editors
Strong collaborative skills, including experience of liaising with stakeholders across the company

This is a position covered under the collective bargaining agreement with the WGA-E at a minimum of $85,000.00 with a range of up to $97,000.00 annually dependent upon years of related experience.