This posting will remain open through July 15, 2021.
NPR and Member stations are creating an innovative system of regional newsrooms and the newest one, in the Midwest, is focused on investigative journalism.
We’re looking for an inquisitive and tenacious investigative editor to help define an editorial vision for this four-state collaboration and develop a strategy for executing it. The investigative editor will work with station news leaders, NPR and a regional investigative team to pursue impactful reporting that holds those in power accountable and reaches audiences on both broadcast and digital platforms.
This position offers an experienced investigative journalist the opportunity to build and lead a team that includes an investigative reporter and a data journalist, with participation from Member station reporters in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. It’s a hands-on position, so in addition to assigning and editing investigations, the editor will also develop and report stories, conduct airchecks, coach reporters and train them in investigative journalism best practices.
We prefer for the investigative editor to be based in St. Louis, although we will consider applicants working remotely within the four-state region. The executive editor will work closely with NPR and Midwest Newsroom partner stations KCUR in Kansas City, NET Nebraska and Iowa Public Radio. This is a 24-month, grant-funded position that cannot be guaranteed beyond the grant.
Responsibilities:
- Help the partner stations incorporate investigative, data-driven reporting into their journalism, including enterprise feature stories and long-term investigative projects.
- Supervise, lead and inspire the regional investigative team, which will include an investigative reporter and a data journalist, as well as reporters from the other stations. This includes assigning and editing audio and digital stories.
- Serve as a central point of contact on investigative reporting for editorial leaders at the stations and at NPR.
- Lead investigative planning meetings and oversee a communication process that keeps everyone informed and connected.
- Ensure stories are considered through diverse perspectives, so they are inclusive, equitable and reflect the audiences they serve.
- Help stations and NPR identify new and diverse audiences on multiple platforms and pursue investigations to engage them.
- Fill in for the Midwest Newsroom’s managing editor when needed.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
- Experience reporting, producing and editing investigative work.
- Experience using sources, documents, computer-assisted reporting and other investigative tools and filing and appealing open records requests.
- Familiarity with data visualization.
- Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to manage workers in a variety of remote locations as well as in-person direct reports.
- Ability to think strategically, set goals and use metrics to track progress toward meeting those goals.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Commitment to editorial standards of accuracy, thoroughness, ethics, balance and diversity.
- Ability to exercise sound news judgment and generate factual, error-free copy on deadline.
- Valid driver’s license and insurance required for assignments/activities that involve work outside of the office. Must maintain a clean driving record.
- Knowledge of the issues, cultures, people, geography and news opportunities in the Midwest.
- Experience producing both on-air and digital journalism.
- Experience with working as a journalist in the Midwest and/or with NPR.
- Experience in public media.
- Experience leading multi-partner collaborations.
- Ability to solve problems, manage complexity and be resilient.
- Ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
Salary: $72,000/annual
Application Instructions:
St. Louis Public Radio is a service of the University of Missouri - St. Louis. In order to be considered for this position or to view the posting in its entirety, please visit UMSL's employment site and complete an online application. Job ID: 35344. If you have questions about the position, or if STLPR can provide accommodations to assist you in applying, email Shula Neuman: sneuman@stlpublicradio.org. If you have questions about the University of Missouri - St. Louis application process, email pshrsupport@umsystem.edu.