Capitol Bureau Chief
The Sacramento Bee is seeking a dynamic Capitol Bureau Chief to help lead a team of political and policy reporters in covering California's complex and influential political landscape. This key leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to shape coverage of government in the country’s largest state and the world’s fifth-largest economy, with far-reaching implications for national politics and policy.
We’re looking for a journalist who is passionate about politics and policy — and who can assign, edit and report political news. The Capitol bureau chief will work with our political reporters in Sacramento and D.C., while also contributing to our coverage with original reporting. This editor will play a key role in ensuring that The Bee delivers first-and-best coverage of the Capitol. We’re seeking a Capitol bureau chief who brings urgency to our daily coverage and ambition to our investigative and enterprise work.
The biggest challenges confronting California today come through the Capitol: housing, climate change, inequality, criminal justice, racism, LGBTQ rights. Given California’s position as a national bastion of liberal politics, the impact of the state’s policies — and how Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders fight to protect them — will only continue to grow with the new Trump administration. We need a Capitol bureau chief who has a strategic vision for holding those in power to account and for serving our readers inside and outside the Capitol.
What You’ll Do:
Work with talented reporters covering the California State Legislature, governor's office, and state agencies
Set coverage priorities and develop innovative strategies to deliver impactful political journalism
Ensure a strong mix of breaking news, accountability reporting, and in-depth features on California politics and policies
Coach reporters on source development, audience-focused journalism, and investigative techniques
Edit a diverse range of stories, from breaking news to enterprise stories and newsletters
Contribute original, high-impact reporting on California politics
What You'll Need:
Minimum 5 years of editing or reporting experience, with a proven track record in political journalism
Strong management and organizational skills, with a hands-on approach to editing
Excellent reporting, writing, and sourcing abilities
Experience with public records requests and investigative reporting techniques
Deep understanding of California politics, legislative procedures, and campaign coverage
Meticulous news judgment and commitment to nonpartisan, ethical reporting
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving news environment
The anticipated annual salary for this position is between $85,000 and $125,000. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience and relevant education.
To apply, please include a cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.
What We’ll Bring:
As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on well-being and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.
Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.
About the McClatchy Media Company
The McClatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee, have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month,The McClatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.