Executive Editor

About the Company

Reports to the CEO.

Position Overview: The Executive Editor will shape the next generation of multiple news and information products offered by Lookout Santa Cruz and Lookout more widely. They will apply and grow the Lookout Local journalism model, making sure we meet both our mission and business performance needs. At Lookout Local, we’ve figured out a bunch of things well – real and early-on community engagement, multi-stream revenue, local advertising and bedrock breaking news-to-accountability through the day local journalism. And we appreciate the national recognition -- https://lookout.co/network -- of our work from our Pulitzer to our fast-ramp launch and model-building in Oregon. But that’s just a beginning in Santa Cruz and in Eugene-Springfield, and as we plot next communities to serve.

About the Role

For this position, we’re seeking a spirited, top editor/news product innovator ready to work with great colleagues to take Lookout Santa Cruz specifically and Lookouts overall to next levels of journalism, community service and revenue generation. We understand the fast-evolving connections in that holy trinity, and believe that harnessing the latest tech/thinking (including mastering local AI application, on which we’ve laid a great foundation already) is fundamental to our future.

Application

Any application must be accompanied by a cover letter noting applicant's direct fit for this job and a resume.

Responsibilities

• Building on the successful, Pulitzer Prize-winning Lookout Santa Cruz start of five years.
• Builds on Lookout’s already impactful new product creations – including App, in-beta local chat, Neighborhood Newsletters, Briefs, Events integrations and more – proactively assesses, innovates and tests new ways of creating news and information that will serve and delight audiences.
• Drives next generation of our coverage plans, as we increase staffing, as Lookout moves further to become the dominant news and information provider locally.
• Leading, along with colleagues, Lookout’s expansion efforts to other cities.
• Serving as a prominent public face, with publisher-like interaction, in the wider Santa Cruz County community and nationally.
• Leads next plans for development and training in the newsroom, creating a development program for journalists, individually, and collectively, setting up a steady cadence of learning/training programs.

Qualifications

• Proven, substantial leadership and management experience in a similar role within a news or media organization.
• Strong background in digital journalism and audience/product-focused analysis and familiarity with current digital tools and platforms.
• Excellent editorial judgment, great editing chops from daily to investigative storytelling.
• Demonstrated ability to create and sustain a collaborative, high-performing newsroom culture.
• Experience working closely with business teams to align editorial and business strategies.
• Passion for Lookout Santa Cruz’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Required Skills

• Leadership and Team Management
• Editorial Direction
• Digital Expertise
• Collaboration with Business Side and in Building Lookout Network
• Editorial Integrity and Standards

Preferred Skills

• Experience in community engagement and partnership building. New editor will participate in year-long Leadership Santa Cruz community program.
• Familiarity with and enthusiasm for emerging technologies in journalism.

Pay range and compensation package

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put Santa Cruz, Executive Editor in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We’re ready for the task, and seek a collaborative, accomplished audience- and product-focused colleague to join us in this adventure. We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.