What are the responsibilities and job description for the Managing Editor position at Pacific Business News?
The Managing Editor is the chief operating officer of Pacific Business News newsroom, overseeing and ensuring the smooth and orderly flow of content from conception to publishing on all platforms. As the newsroom’s most hands-on manager and coach of reporters, the ME is charged with bringing ideas, inspiration and constant guidance to the content team.
Reporting directly to the Editor-In-Chief, the Managing Editor actively oversees and directs the deployment of resources across the many publishing platforms - online, newsletters, print, social, etc. - hour by hour, minute by minute.
The ME must possess a solid news sense, an ability to make snap judgments about the proper treatment of stories and a high level of confidence in orchestrating the many simultaneous actions of the editorial team members.
Organization must be a strength, as the ME is responsible for the efficiency of the news gathering and news production operation. As with all newsrooms, resources come at a premium and the ME will frequently be required to jump in and report and write.
The ME must run the newsroom with audience growth and connection in mind. Relationships with sources and outreach into the community are expected of the entire editorial team. The ME also serves as chief mentor for reporters, helping pave their way to continual improvement, learning and growth; all reporters must be managed toward excellence, with high standards set by the Managing Editor as the norm. Communication skills are critical for the ME, who is highly influential in setting newsroom standards, mood, expectations and culture.
Reporting directly to the Editor-In-Chief, the Managing Editor actively oversees and directs the deployment of resources across the many publishing platforms - online, newsletters, print, social, etc. - hour by hour, minute by minute.
The ME must possess a solid news sense, an ability to make snap judgments about the proper treatment of stories and a high level of confidence in orchestrating the many simultaneous actions of the editorial team members.
Organization must be a strength, as the ME is responsible for the efficiency of the news gathering and news production operation. As with all newsrooms, resources come at a premium and the ME will frequently be required to jump in and report and write.
The ME must run the newsroom with audience growth and connection in mind. Relationships with sources and outreach into the community are expected of the entire editorial team. The ME also serves as chief mentor for reporters, helping pave their way to continual improvement, learning and growth; all reporters must be managed toward excellence, with high standards set by the Managing Editor as the norm. Communication skills are critical for the ME, who is highly influential in setting newsroom standards, mood, expectations and culture.
- Run the operational side of the Pacific Business News newsroom, ensuring content assignments are made, story and production deadlines adhered to and editorial standards met.
- Develop, oversee and edit stories.
- Manage reporters and steer reporters toward beat-driven hard news breaks and scoops; work directly with reporters and manage them throughout the day on stories of all types.
- Supervise and work with reporters to add context, perspective and voice to their content.
- Strives to meet or exceed goals related to audience-engagement and growth via total visits, member visits, conversions, Stories that Work and other metrics that measure how content is resonating in the local business community.
- Help reporters prioritize stories to pursue and sources to meet.
- Manage the daily news meeting.
- Oversee any awards content, special sections and editorial projects, as directed by the EIC. This could include the coordination of freelance photographers and/or contributing writers.
- Report and write on a weekly basis.
- Regularly participate in and attend Pacific Business News sponsored events.
- Take on any other assignment made by manager(s).
- Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all colleagues and sources.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum of three years of management and/or team leadership experience required for external candidates. Internal candidates must have experience in a senior reporter, associate editor or other elevated newsroom role.
- Foundational proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, such as Excel
- Proficiency with social media, AI and other platforms a plus
- Beat reporter experience
- Proficiency with AP style
- Ability to work with a reporter on story development
- Ability to plan, lead and execute large-scale editorial projects
- Can quickly adapt to change and can coach reporters through change in a positive, motivational manner
- Ability to execute under deadline pressure and to enforce reporter deadlines
- Demonstrates ethical journalistic behavior