The Guardian US is hiring: Senior News Editor, West Coast in Los Angeles

Senior News Editor, West Coast

Base pay range

$135,000.00/yr - $145,000.00/yr

The Guardian is a global news organization that delivers fearless, independent journalism. From breaking news and award-winning investigations, to in-depth coverage of technology, sports, film, culture and lifestyle, the Guardian offers a global view that deepens our audiences' understanding of America and the world.

Headquartered in New York City, Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's international coverage with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, digital privacy and much more. Guardian US launched in 2011 and today has bureaus in New York, Washington DC, New Orleans and Los Angeles. The Guardian is an independently owned, mission-driven organization, funded by readers around the globe.

Title: Senior News Editor

Department: Editorial (News)

Reports to: West coast editor

Terms & conditions: Permanent, full-time, News Media Guild role. 11-7 PST schedule, some weekend and holiday work required.

Salary range: $135,000-$145,000

Main purpose of job:

The senior news editor will be an integral part of the Guardian US news team, running US live news in the evenings based out of the Los Angeles office.

Main duties and responsibilities

• We're looking for an energetic and experienced live news editor, whose primary focus will be running the national US news desk in the PST afternoons and evenings.
• You'll be working with the west coast news editors, digital editors and politics editors to identify live news developments that need coverage. You'll determine how best to approach those developments– whether as a blog, breaking news story or analysis – and will assign and edit them. We're looking for someone quick on their toes, who can simultaneously monitor ongoing events, assign and edit; on occasion, when necessary, you will report and write breaking news stories as well.
• You'll be collaborating with our digital and audience editors on packaging, promotion, distribution and social media strategy, and will be liaising with the Guardian's international team in Australia about US coverage.
• You'll be ensuring the smooth operations of the evening news shift, planning for events, liaising with key members of the daytime shift to talk through planning and assignments, and making sure we have the right staff in place.

Other responsibilities

• Working with the west coast editor to assign and edit coverage on the US west coast, whether news stories, news features, enterprise stories or photo essays.
• Assist in the management and direction of the west coast team and evening news team.
• Help to manage and develop the reporters and editors on the desk.

Knowledge/Experience

• We're looking for someone with a strong track record in leading a fast-breaking news desk, and who has experience in managing complex news situations with excellent judgment and composure and at least five years editing experience.
• You have an eye for US stories that have resonance for a global Guardian audience.
• You closely follow news from a broad cross spectrum, from politics to culture, from social affairs to digital culture. Experience covering or assigning politics stories is a plus.
• You're aware of the diversity of our news, in all its aspects.
• You understand the Guardian approach to news - to engage, inform and provide vital context for a US and global readership.

Core competencies

• Ability to work and prioritize under pressure.
• Ability to multitask.
• Writing, commissioning and editing.
• Relationship building.
• Planning and organizing.
• Leadership and people management skills.