Executive Editor
The Austin American-Statesman/statesman.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an inspirational, transformative leader to guide this award-winning newsroom to new heights of audience growth, digital innovation and powerful journalism that both drives and reflects the conversation in a region bursting with creativity, energy and extensive growth.
Austin, one of the country's fastest growing cities, is well known for its rich music, dining and cultural scenes, and more recently as home to Tesla and a tech boom that is fast transforming the landscape. We want an editor who can lead coverage that is essential to newcomers and longtime residents alike who care about this special city.
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The ideal candidate has a track record of producing journalism that holds the powerful to account, entertains and enriches lives and inspires change, and that reaches new and existing audiences across multiple and ever-evolving platforms. This is a person fluid in news analytics, energized by new ideas, and whose enthusiasm for change is contagious - all with the goal of finding readers and converting them into loyal subscribers.
The right editor also intrinsically knows the importance of diversity and inclusion in our work, and ensures everyone feels valued, accepted and included in our workplace. We want someone who gets out into the community - all parts of it - and listens, witnesses, and strives to direct coverage that accurately and fearlessly examines the varying currents shaping the region, and by extension, the nation.
The Austin American-Statesman is a storied news organization that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize's Gold Medal for meritorious public service and won the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for its groundbreaking coverage of the Uvalde school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers.
This is a newsroom filled with talented journalists who are passionate about their work. We need a strong communicator and collaborator who can help them produce the best journalism of their careers.
This is a person with impeccable journalism credentials, outstanding leadership skills, and a keen grasp of the ever-changing digital space, including a strong knowledge of visual storytelling. The right editor is people-centric, has high standards, remains focused on the most important priorities and opportunities, and easily shifts between strategy and execution.
The executive editor will work collaboratively with partners in the USA TODAY Network Middle America Region, sharing resources as warranted with other newsrooms in Texas and combining on coverage when needed.
Responsibilities:
- Uphold the highest journalism standards across digital and print platforms, strongly support the First Amendment and conceive, pursue and execute watchdog reporting.
- Develop and implement a multi-platform digital vision and strategy focused on achieving target audience specific goals and objectives.
- Provide leadership and be knowledgeable in state and local news, investigative journalism, public service, and government issues.
- Champion change management efforts that include strong communication of the company's strategic initiatives, purpose, vision, culture and plan.
- Lead the planning and oversee execution of content strategies with a keen eye focused on strategic audiences. Special emphasis is placed on digital and other new platforms. Creativity and an ability to develop and execute innovative approaches are essential.
- Facilitate strong community connections with a relevant editorial voice and personal interaction.
- Attract, retain and develop top talent.
- Be a champion of diversity - with the understanding that diversity includes everyone and drives customer and operational innovation.
- Collaborate with other departments in the development and implementation of multi-platform products to grow audience and engagement.
- Works with the regional editor, Content Strategy Analyst and USA TODAY Network leaders across the Middle America to help journalists acquire the skills and tactics needed to attract and serve digital subscribers.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of five years in significant leadership roles in a newsroom with demonstrated success.
- Clear understanding of the First Amendment and the highest regard for upholding those standards.
- Experience in high-level decision-making with complex, impactful or sensitive news content.
- Experience working in industries undergoing substantial change and transformation.
- A history of successful leadership, innovation and goal achievement.
- Demonstrated change leader who collaborates and communicates effectively.
- Personal charisma, comfortable with public speaking and a commitment to staff interaction.
- 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.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and coordinate in an environment of accountability.
- Demonstrated track record in recruiting a highly successful leadership team highly desirable.
- Experience driving a successful turnaround or transformation highly desirable.
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 updated current resume - one to two pages.
- A cover letter explaining your interest and fit for the position.
- Your portfolio/clips/links to a few samples of your work.
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.
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