Politics Editor

Description

Politics Editor, Newsroom

WNYC and Gothamist Newsroom

The WNYC and Gothamist Newsroom is seeking an enterprising and ambitious editor to lead our People & Power desk. This editor will oversee multiplatform journalists in New York City and Albany who cover the local political process and the people who influence it. This editor is also a key leader in the New York Public News Network, helping steer statehouse reporting that is offered to organizations across the state.

This is a critical role as we head into citywide elections this fall and look toward the 2026 gubernatorial race. The People & Power editor will have an eye for impactful stories within the desk’s beats, which include power structures and democracy, mayoral power and influence, and Albany policymaking. The team’s work is audience-focused and should always capture the impact on individuals and communities while translating complex issues into compelling and essential text and audio journalism.

A competitive candidate will have experience organizing coverage plans and executing larger, preferably cross-newsroom, projects and initiatives. This editor will also regularly collaborate with other newsroom desks as politics intersects with various beats and breaking news.

This editor will guide their team members as they produce a balance of daily, original enterprise reporting and investigative coverage. This editor is responsible for upholding the highest standards of journalistic quality and integrity, ensuring that WNYC’s journalism is engaging, timely, accurate, clear, thorough, fair and impactful.

This role reports to the senior editor, accountability.

Responsibilities:

• Operationalize a strategic vision for the People & Power desk’s journalism that attracts loyal and diverse audiences in digital, on-air, on-demand audio and social

• Work with reporters to develop clear lines of coverage and beats within the People & Power space

• Hold all content to the highest journalistic standards -- from breaking news to longform features

• Create and execute team goals while mentoring, developing and coaching direct reports

• Organize daily and long-term coverage planning that is communicated clearly and with intention

• Collaborate with peers and partners across the organization, bringing visibility to daily coverage and contributing to major projects

• Foster a culture of accountability, creativity and innovation in storytelling

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years professional journalism experience with experience on a beat or desk that covers politics and democracy

• Strong text and digital editing skills with additional editing experience in audio preferred.

• Ability to lead, inspire, manage and deliver feedback to a team of reporters

• Ability to conceive and execute innovative approaches to storytelling with a demonstrated ability to see the story that’s going to engage readers and to anticipate reader interests

• Deft writing and editing skills, including the ability to sharpen or rewrite copy with grammatical and style precision under deadline

• Sophisticated communication skills, including oral, written, and public speaking

• Deep commitment to accurate, ethical journalism; and impeccable journalistic integrity and judgment

• Demonstrated knowledge of complex social and cultural issues

• Self-starter with proven ability to meet deadlines and pay close attention to detail and fact-checking

• Ability to manage several projects concurrently

• Demonstrated commitment and ability to contribute an equity lens to every aspect of people development and management processes, and ability to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion competency in newsrooms

Additional Information

This is a full-time role with a salary range of $115,000-130,000, annually (plus a full benefits package). Salary offered within this range is determined by skills, experience and organizational pay equity. New York Public Radio also offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with vacation time, personal days, sick time and parental leave.

This role is based in New York City (or the immediate metro area) and operates in a hybrid capacity. This individual is expected to work onsite at WNYC’s Manhattan headquarters at least 3 days a week.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

New York Public Radio is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We continuously strive to place our employees at the center of our thinking and elevate inclusive practices to develop and support a more engaged and productive workforce. Our journalism and operations in the service of that journalism benefit from a broad range of perspectives, from all backgrounds, at all levels of the organization. Diversity is essential to honest, authentic, accurate storytelling and reportage; creating an institution in which all voices are encouraged, valued, and heard.

Equal Opportunity

New York Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions without regard to mental or physical disability, race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any protected federal, state or local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.

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