Supervising Editor, Breaking News

Job Description

As a public service news organization, NPR is committed to producing ground-breaking original journalism that serves the public interest. As part of that commitment, NPR is creating a new Investigative Team specifically responsible for uncovering significant and ground-breaking stories connected to the major news events of the day. The Breaking News I-Team will use public records, data and other reporting tools in pursuit of these stories. Successful candidates will be expected to produce consequential journalism on the tightest of deadlines, working in close collaboration with NPR’s beat reporters and Member stations. The Breaking News I-Team’s work will appear across all NPR’s broadcast and digital platforms.

NPR is looking for a dynamic, ambitious investigative Supervising Editor to lead this team.
Our ideal candidate has the skills and mindset of an investigative editor/reporter, combined with the metabolism, speed and agility of a daily-deadline driven news hound.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assign, develop and edit original and consequential investigative stories off-the-news that live up to NPR’s standards for accuracy, fairness and newsworthiness.
• Cultivate sources and make use of reporting tools like FOIA, database acquisition and analysis and data mining to uncover original stories that matter.
• Edit both short-term and medium-term projects, sometimes simultaneously.
• Edit compelling stories for both audio and print, often on tight deadlines.
• Take responsibility for the success of the team’s investigative projects on all editorial platforms, including digital and visual media, social networks and various audio platforms, with the goal of reaching the largest audiences with the biggest impact.
• Supervise team members, providing strong consistent leadership of the team, including regular constructive feedback on performance.
• Work collaboratively with team members, other NPR employees, Member station reporters and editors and external editorial partners in developing short and medium term investigative projects connected to significant news developments.
• Ensure that all content complies with NPR’s editorial standards.
• Represent NPR and the Investigations Team in public forums and gatherings as needed.
• Assumes other duties and supervises additional staff as assigned by the Senior Investigations Editor.
• Supervise at least 2-3 direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: College degree and/or equivalent work experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS
• At least 8 years of journalism experience.
• A proven track record of editing original, complex investigative stories of consequence on tight deadlines.
• History of producing sophisticated, high-quality journalism, including work on complex topics and story ideas.
• Experience leading and managing people/teams and managing significant projects.
• Ability to cultivate sources and conduct high-level original research.
• Proven ability to reach large audiences through social media and other platforms
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, public speaking ability and demonstrated writing ability.
• Ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.
• Ability to work efficiently, calmly and cooperatively under deadline pressure.
• Willingness to innovate, learn new skills and create new ways to serve the NPR community on all platforms.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability to relocate. In the future, NPR may choose to transfer employees to other geographic locations. Severance provisions of the AFTRA collective bargaining agreement will apply should you choose not to accept a transfer.

PREFERRED SKILLS
• Significant supervisory experience.
• Significant experience producing and editing audio journalism.
• Experience working in and/or knowledge of public radio and the public radio system.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-dyq6pr-18-188-142-146-42 in your application.