Editor in Chief

Position: Editor in Chief

Experience level (preferred): Minimum 7 years of investigative and data journalism; minimum 3 years coaching and editing experience, minimum 3 years managing projects and teams 
Education level: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or equivalent experience 
Position overview: Full-time, 40 hours a week; medical, dental, vision benefits available; 21 days PTO plus generous holiday time-off package
Base salary starts at $88,000 
Location: Fully remote with a strong preference to be based in the Midwest/Central U.S. 

Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom serving the public as a watchdog over powerful, influential agricultural corporations and institutions through data-driven investigative journalism, providing a platform for rural America to tell their stories. We are hiring for our editor in chief position to lead our award-winning newsroom and elevate our projects to the next level.

The editor in chief will be responsible for the day-to-day activity of the newsroom, supervising and managing all reporters and other editorial staff members. The EIC will be responsible for working with and coaching reporters and editorial contractors on their work, responsibilities and duties, and seeing all content through a thorough editing process. 

You will report to the Investigate Midwest executive director and interact daily with the team and award-winning journalists in a highly collaborative newsroom. The work you oversee and help bring to fruition may appear locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally.

This is a full-time, salaried position. The EIC may be remote but is required to be based in the U.S., with the Midwest region preferred.

As Investigate Midwest’s EIC, you are expected to: 

• Help set the vision and ambition for the newsroom, generating project ideas and working with reporters to develop their ideas to reach their full potential 
• Organize and conduct weekly pitch meetings with the reporting staff and assistant editor/audience manager to determine monthly stories from each reporter
• The majority of the EIC’s time should be devoted to story production: Copy edit stories for content, clarity and style, and ensure reporters fact-check their stories
• Work with partners in other newsrooms on collaborative projects 
• Supervise, manage and train the editorial team; work with them to create and meet professional growth goals
• Manage and maintain Investigate Midwest editorial standards
• Keep executive director thoroughly, consistently and frequently informed of progress and any concerns/issues that arise
• Other editing and management responsibilities as assigned 

Preferred qualities:

• An engaged journalism mindset that is focused on meeting information needs
• Deep background in investigative journalism
• Moderate proficiency working with data; experience with programming languages like Python and R a plus but not essential
• Excellent verbal, written and non verbal communications skills
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to train and coach team members at varying levels of experience
• Ability to work equally well independently and collaborating with others
• Strong planning and organization skills
• Strong editing skills with shorter and long-form project content
• Deep knowledge and use of AP Style; knowledge and use of Excel, Gmail, Google Workspace, Zoom, Airtable, website CMS
• Some familiarity with the agriculture beat — food supply, CAFOs, agribusiness, labor, policy, etc.

To apply, please send to Executive Director Erin Orr at  erin.orr@investigatemidwest.org:

• a resume, 
• 1-page cover letter that addresses your experience, leadership/management style and a vision for Investigate Midwest’s newsroom, 
• 3 examples that demonstrate the above skills and experience,
• 2 references who can speak knowledgeably about your work.
  
  Deadline to apply is Sept. 4.

Investigate Midwest is an equal employment opportunity employer and we seek to increase diversity in our own operation and in the news media. We encourage individuals from communities traditionally underrepresented in this field to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. 

Preferred: 7+ years investigative/data journalism, 3+ years coaching/editing and managing teams/projects, and a bachelor's in journalism, communications, or equivalent experience.

Key Responsibilities

• editing stories
• managing teams
• coaching reporters

Skills & Tools

Python, R, Microsoft Excel, Gmail, Google Workspace, Zoom, Airtable, website CMS

Job Details

• Category: Communications and Public Affairs
• Seniority: Senior Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — United States
• Salary: USD 88,000 – 88,000 / year
• Languages: English

Benefits

• Generous paid time off

About Investigate Midwest

An independent nonprofit newsroom investigating powerful agricultural corporations and institutions while serving rural communities. — Industry: Media and Communications