Managing Editor, The Emancipator at Howard

JOB PURPOSE:

The Managing Editor of The Emancipator is a member of the Howard University Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) leadership apparatus. The Managing Editor is a senior leader entrusted with ensuring the vision is aligned with the day-to-day operation and output. The Managing Editor sets the tone and approach to The Emancipator’s coverage and ensures we “stay in the conversation” with mission-focused content that is sharp, timely, relevant, fast, deftly researched and vetted, and well-reported and written. Effectively managing The Emancipator’s staff, the Managing Editor executes editorial strategy and broader editorial-related projects and brand-building efforts, leads newsroom meetings, and stays on budget, adjusting costs where needed. The Managing Editor assigns and edits stories, essays, scripts, and social posts — efforts that include conceptualization, greenlighting pitches, assigning work, writing and reporting coaching, hands-on line editing, visual direction and selection, and web production.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

This position supervises the Senior Correspondent, Video Editor, Editorial Assistant, part-time correspondents, contributors, and student interns. This role may be asked to serve as lead on projects related to helping promote The Emancipator’s editorial mission and goals.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include executives, administrators, faculty, students, and staff of the university at large.  External contacts include alumni, consultants, representatives from other colleges and universities, visitors, and the general public.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Newsroom Administrative Leadership:

• Collaborate with HIAS senior leadership on higher-level editorial matters and editorial vision

• Work with HIAS leadership to keep expenses within budget, track expenditures, and adjust costs where needed.

• Ensure the confidentiality and preservation of sensitive information.

• Newsroom operational structure support, including helping develop, refine, implement, and maintain editorial workflows

• Suggest and implement improvements based on newsroom operational experience.

• Attendance at and leadership of newsroom meetings and events, as well as HIAS where required and as needed

• Oversee and maintain contractual relationships with vendors providing editorial support services such as webpage hosting, photos, videos, Slack, and social media

• Ensure creation of freelance/contributor contracts and support timely processing and payment

Editorial Leadership

• Cultivate a collegial, professional, and efficient newsroom culture

• Strategic editorial coverage planning and execution based on the Editor in Chief’s vision

• Publishing calendar development and maintenance

• Timely responses to pitches and content solicitation

• Assign, edit, and publish stories, essays, scripts, visual elements, and social posts — including conceptualization, greenlighting pitches, assigning work, writing, and reporting coaching

• Report and write content where/when needed

Team Leadership

• Coach reporters, producers, and freelancers by offering feedback, and conducting staff performance reviews

• Recruit, cultivate, and maintain a freelance and contributor talent pool

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with team members and contribute to group projects.

• Coordinate with other departments or external partners when necessary

• Communicate collegially, clearly, and effectively, both in writing and verbally

Professional Development, Public, and Media Appearance

• Collaborate with HIAS leadership on the pursuit of and attendance at professional development opportunities such as conferences, lectures, and speaking engagements

• Collaborate with HIAS leadership and, where applicable, the Howard University public relations office, on brand-building efforts, media appearances, and statements

CORE COMPETENCIES:         

Technical Proficiency:

• Highly skilled in line editing, reporting, and writing 

• Proficient in CMS, news analytics tools, social media platforms, vide,o and photo databases

• Skilled in navigating government, public records, and archival databases

Attention to Detail:

• Sharp and highly experienced news judgment

• Meticulous in handling and publishing editorial content

• Diligent in ensuring accurate, timely, well-reported, vetted, and sourced news content

Organizational Skills:

• Manage editorial content, administrative records, and digital files

• Create and maintain efficient filing systems

• Effectively manage time to meet project deadlines

• Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities based on project needs

Analytical Thinking:

• Solve editorial and organizational challenges

• Implement newsroom best practices

Communication Skills:

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication

• Provide instructions and feedback to students or junior staff

• Document procedures and create instructional materials

Collaborative Skills:

• Work well within a team and contribute to group projects

• Ability to “manage up” with higher-level leadership

Adaptability:

• Flexibly adapt to new technologies and methods.

• Continuously learn and seek professional development

• Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities as needed

Project Management:

• Oversee content from inception to completion

• Manage budgets and resources

• Track progress and report on outcomes

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Based in the Washington D.C. metro area.

• Education: Master’s Degree or higher

• Minimum 10 years of higher-level newsroom leadership experience (division editor/supervising producer, managing editor or higher)

• Demonstrated leadership of race and justice editorial content

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams of varied sizes–including freelancers/contributors

• Demonstrated nonprofit newsroom leadership

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience directly leading and producing exclusive scoops of federal politics and policy coverage, in-depth and investigative work, and cultural analysis

• Demonstrated leadership of newsroom events such as election nights, breaking news special reports, and newsroom-wide projects  

• An academic or professional background in Black, African diasporic, or related studies

• Demonstrated experience producing journalism within university settings

• Knowledge of digital publishing protocols and analytics 

• Experience with CMS and digital editing software

• Strong attention to detail and organizational accuracy with recordkeeping

• Troubleshooting and problem-solving expertise

• Demonstrated initiative to work self-directed, yet with a collaborative style

• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise staff, freelancers, and students

• Strong verbal and written communication skills