Executive Editor Politics

We are seeking an innovative and seasoned newsroom leader to be Executive Editor for Politics at USA TODAY, the flagship news organization of the USA TODAY NETWORK.

The Executive Editor for Politics will drive a nationwide team of editors and reporters covering the 2024 election, while also overseeing Washington and World coverage.

USA TODAY’s political coverage is at the heart of our mission,and in 2024 represents the biggest story we must confront as a newsroom and as a country. True to our founding idea as the “Nation’s Newspaper,” we take seriously the responsibility to help the average American understand the world, the country, and their community. We believe that deeper understanding and greater engagement in civic life are the core components of the American experiment in self-government. Voters are hungry for coverage of politics that moves beyond the cliched preconceptions of their lives and the inside baseball of big-money, political campaigns. Instead, our journalism will tackle the big questions facing the country and everyday concerns of the average voter.

Our aim is to deliver urgent, unmatched storytelling about the realities of American life that speaks to a wide and diverse audience across the country.And to do it everyday.

You are someone with a track record of leading teams to excellence on big stories. You aim high and inspire others to do the same. You are a collaborator who excels at bringing people together to achieve journalistic excellence.

Experience managing a newsroom during big breaking news events is essential to this role. You will lead coverage that explains the implications – the how, the why and the what-next -- of the news. That relentless focus on context is the value we bring to our readers, viewers, listeners, and other content consumers.

You are someone who would relish the chance to work with USA TODAY peers in senior leadership as well as across the USA TODAY NETWORK, which encompasses USA TODAY plus 109 local news brands such as the Detroit Free Press, the Cincinnati Enquirer, Des Moines Register, Milwaukee Journal, and Arizona Republic.

This position is based in Washington, DC and reports directly to the editor-in-chief.

Responsibilities:

Provide the strategic vision for and daily leadership of a team of reporters and editors focused on delivering compelling stories, scoops and exclusives about the 2024 election.
Collaborate across the USA Today Network, teaming up with editors, reporters,visual and data journalists to create multimedia content that will help us grow audience.
Work with reporters to package and optimize stories to help them reach the widest possible audience.
Uphold the highest journalism standards across digital and print platforms, strongly support the First Amendment and conceive, pursue, and execute watchdog reporting.
Provide exemplary leadership for USA TODAY and, along with Editor in Chief, help execute the strategic vision that elevates our journalism and grows the audience.
Provide leadership and be knowledgeable in national, state, and local news, investigative journalism, public service, and government issues.
Provide leadership in achieving the highest journalistic quality across all areas of coverage.
Excellent personal leadership, change management and ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally—can conduct a dialogue that is intellectually honest, brings out a diversity of ideas and creates the climate to execute on those ideas.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity.
Lead the planning and oversee execution of election and politics content strategies with a keen eye focused on strategic audiences. Creativity and an ability to develop and execute innovative approaches are essential.

Requirements:

Bachelor's or master’s degree in journalism or any other subject or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 10 years of experience across multiple storytelling platforms.
Minimum 5 years of experience in political journalism, either as an editor or reporter.
Experience in high-level decision-making with complex, impactful, or sensitive news content.
Strong ability to conceptualize and lead news coverage.
Strong ability in editing, rewriting, headlines, and packaging of content.
A history of successful leadership, innovation, and goal achievement.
Demonstrated change leader who collaborates and communicates effectively.
Understanding of the changing media landscape and ability to adapt strategies that address continually changing market and consumer needs and desires.
Demonstrated strong competitive instincts and intellectual curiosity.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

Your resume – one to two pages.
A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.