What are the responsibilities and job description for the Editor in Chief position at Cleveland Jewish Publication Company?
Editor-in-Chief, Cleveland Jewish News
Reports to: President, Publisher & CEO | Cleveland, Ohio | Cleveland Jewish Publication Company
This hybrid role requires at least two days per week on-site at our Beachwood office.
About the Role
The Cleveland Jewish News seeks an Editor-in-Chief to lead editorial vision, content strategy and daily news operations across multiple print and digital platforms. For more than six decades, the CJN has been Northeast Ohio's trusted, independent source of Jewish community journalism.
The Editor-in-Chief will lead a storied Jewish news organization that is regarded for its entrepreneurial approach to news coverage as well as its ties to the communities it serves. This individual will have the opportunity to help lead the organization during a period of exciting transformation. The Editor-in-Chief also oversees the Akron Jewish News, published eight times a year in partnership with the Akron Jewish community as well as other company-owned publications.
What You'll Do
Lead the newsroom
- Set editorial direction across print, digital, newsletters, social, podcasts and video.
- Make final calls on coverage, assignments, placement and headlines, and direct breaking news.
- Uphold CJN's standards for accuracy, fairness and balance as an independent, nonpartisan Jewish publication that welcomes a range of perspectives.
- Handle sensitive and divisive stories with sound judgment, providing context and content warnings where warranted.
- Build CJN as both a modern news organization and the community's historical record.
Produce the work
- Collaborate with VP of Sales and other internal stakeholders in planning editorial calendar to incorporate advertising special features
- Own the editorial calendar and print production in partnership with Publisher & CEO.
- Assign and edit stories to AP and CJPC style, write headlines, cutlines and briefs, and fact-check.
- Partner with the Creative Director on presentation and with the Digital Manager on reach across web, app and social.
- Use audience data to guide editorial and digital strategy.
- Work with Akron contributors and sources so the Akron Jewish News reflects its community.
Serve the community
- Build relationships with leaders, congregations, organizations and sources across Northeast Ohio.
- Be a visible presence at significant community events.
- Listen to readers while protecting editorial independence, including strict separation from advertising.
Develop the team
- Lead and mentor editorial staff, the Columbus Bureau Chief, freelancers and seasonal interns.
- Recruit and manage contributors, set clear expectations and run regular planning meetings.
What You Bring
Required
- Significant journalism and editing experience, ideally in local or community news
- A proven record assigning, editing and producing high-quality content
- Excellent writing, editing and headline skills, plus strong news judgment
- The ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom
- Strong interpersonal skills with staff, contributors and community leaders
- A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English or a related field, or equivalent experience
Preferred
- Experience managing editorial staff
- Knowledge of the Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Jewish community
- Experience covering Jewish life, religion, culture or nonprofits
- Multimedia and audience analytics experience
Who You Are
Curious, news-driven, community-minded, collaborative, adaptable, diplomatic, detail-oriented and forward-thinking. The Editor-In-Chief will lead a newsroom of dedicated, enterprising journalists who provide content for one of the most dynamic Jewish community news organizations in the country. Selected as one of Editor & Publisher Magazine’s "10 News Publishers That Do It Right," and Editor & Publisher’s 2025 “Media That Matters,” the CJPC combines community news coverage with a passion for breaking news posted across multiple daily and weekly e-newsletters, award-winning websites, and a burgeoning podcast platform. The CJPC is led by an award-winning leadership team and is one of the few independent Jewish news organizations in the United States.
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