Jackson Editor
Deep South Today, Jackson, MS, United States
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to get the latest Mississippi news directly in your inbox every weekday. The Jackson Editor will play a vital role in helping Mississippi Today achieve its highest mission: holding power to account and informing the public about how officials’ decisions influence the lives of Mississippians. Launched in 2016, Mississippi Today is now the state’s largest editorial team and is recognized as a leader in independent, nonpartisan journalism. It is part of Deep South Today, a nonprofit hub of local newsrooms in Mississippi and Louisiana. ABOUT THE TEAM
The Jackson team launched in early 2025 and the Jackson Editor will oversee a team that currently includes two reporters, with a third position open. In a very short time, we have: Followed an ongoing saga over apartment complex water shutoffs due to unpaid bills. In a media environment saturated by oversimplified narratives, we seek to tell complicated, inherently human stories about our community and make hard-sought information accessible in a way that encourages our neighbors to be more engaged, more compassionate and more empowered to take part in solutions. OUR NEWSROOM
At Mississippi Today, you’ll find a newsroom culture that encourages reporters to follow their gut and pursue the reporting threads they’re most passionate about. We believe that results in the most impactful storytelling. The newsroom’s nationally recognized leaders commit to aiding in story conception, creative and novel reporting strategies and craft. In addition to a supportive work environment, Mississippi Today’s unionized newsroom offers competitive pay and benefits, a professional development opportunity of your choice annually and generous PTO. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We’re not looking for a unicorn. If you don’t meet all the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply. If you have never held an editor title but have deep experience as a journalist, we encourage you to apply. This newsroom values maturity of thought and excellence in reporting over formal credentials. We are casting a wide net, hoping to connect with journalists of different backgrounds who may be uniquely qualified to help us grow. You will: Manage a team of reporters who report directly to you, working with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor to plan and publish short-term stories, medium-term investigations and longer-term projects. Collaborate with the Deep South Today Connect Team and our Video and Multimedia editors to create compelling story presentations. Work with reporters to pitch and develop stories. Manage day-to-day editing, scheduling and publishing of stories. Have discussions with reporters about possible publishing partners on the local and national level. REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of five years of professional journalism experience, including substantive reporting or editing work at a news organization. Familiarity with AP Style. Willingness and ability to live and work full-time in the Jackson metropolitan area. This is a non-negotiable requirement of the role. Experience with digital publishing workflows and a modern content management system. IT’S A PLUS IF YOU HAVE
Experience guiding longform stories and investigations from conception to publication. Experience in Southern or urban communities. LOCATION
This is a community-based editor position. The Jackson Editor must live in the Jackson metropolitan area. Developing relationships and an on-the-ground understanding of this city is central to the role. Remote work is not available for this position. COMPENSATION
Starting at $83,000. 29 days paid time off. Up to 12 weeks of parental family leave with return-to-work flexibility. Medical insurance and options for vision and dental. Simple IRA with 3 percent company matching. Group-term life insurance provided to employees ($15,000 policy). Support for professional development and attending industry conferences. HOW TO APPLY
To apply, send your resume and either a clips package or examples of stories or projects you edited, to
jobs [at] thedpi.org , with the subject line “MST Jackson Editor” by 11:59 p.m. CT, April 2, 2026. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, we will not be able to answer emailed questions about this role. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified applicants with disabilities. We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled. Mississippi Today/Deep South Today is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetic information. Mississippi Today has engaged The Diversity Pledge Institute to provide services in connection with the recruiting and hiring process. DPI may only use job applicants’ personal data and information in connection with providing services related to hiring and recruiting. Mississippi Today does not otherwise share job applicants’ data and information with other organizations.
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to get the latest Mississippi news directly in your inbox every weekday. The Jackson Editor will play a vital role in helping Mississippi Today achieve its highest mission: holding power to account and informing the public about how officials’ decisions influence the lives of Mississippians. Launched in 2016, Mississippi Today is now the state’s largest editorial team and is recognized as a leader in independent, nonpartisan journalism. It is part of Deep South Today, a nonprofit hub of local newsrooms in Mississippi and Louisiana. ABOUT THE TEAM
The Jackson team launched in early 2025 and the Jackson Editor will oversee a team that currently includes two reporters, with a third position open. In a very short time, we have: Followed an ongoing saga over apartment complex water shutoffs due to unpaid bills. In a media environment saturated by oversimplified narratives, we seek to tell complicated, inherently human stories about our community and make hard-sought information accessible in a way that encourages our neighbors to be more engaged, more compassionate and more empowered to take part in solutions. OUR NEWSROOM
At Mississippi Today, you’ll find a newsroom culture that encourages reporters to follow their gut and pursue the reporting threads they’re most passionate about. We believe that results in the most impactful storytelling. The newsroom’s nationally recognized leaders commit to aiding in story conception, creative and novel reporting strategies and craft. In addition to a supportive work environment, Mississippi Today’s unionized newsroom offers competitive pay and benefits, a professional development opportunity of your choice annually and generous PTO. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We’re not looking for a unicorn. If you don’t meet all the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply. If you have never held an editor title but have deep experience as a journalist, we encourage you to apply. This newsroom values maturity of thought and excellence in reporting over formal credentials. We are casting a wide net, hoping to connect with journalists of different backgrounds who may be uniquely qualified to help us grow. You will: Manage a team of reporters who report directly to you, working with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor to plan and publish short-term stories, medium-term investigations and longer-term projects. Collaborate with the Deep South Today Connect Team and our Video and Multimedia editors to create compelling story presentations. Work with reporters to pitch and develop stories. Manage day-to-day editing, scheduling and publishing of stories. Have discussions with reporters about possible publishing partners on the local and national level. REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of five years of professional journalism experience, including substantive reporting or editing work at a news organization. Familiarity with AP Style. Willingness and ability to live and work full-time in the Jackson metropolitan area. This is a non-negotiable requirement of the role. Experience with digital publishing workflows and a modern content management system. IT’S A PLUS IF YOU HAVE
Experience guiding longform stories and investigations from conception to publication. Experience in Southern or urban communities. LOCATION
This is a community-based editor position. The Jackson Editor must live in the Jackson metropolitan area. Developing relationships and an on-the-ground understanding of this city is central to the role. Remote work is not available for this position. COMPENSATION
Starting at $83,000. 29 days paid time off. Up to 12 weeks of parental family leave with return-to-work flexibility. Medical insurance and options for vision and dental. Simple IRA with 3 percent company matching. Group-term life insurance provided to employees ($15,000 policy). Support for professional development and attending industry conferences. HOW TO APPLY
To apply, send your resume and either a clips package or examples of stories or projects you edited, to
jobs [at] thedpi.org , with the subject line “MST Jackson Editor” by 11:59 p.m. CT, April 2, 2026. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, we will not be able to answer emailed questions about this role. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified applicants with disabilities. We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled. Mississippi Today/Deep South Today is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetic information. Mississippi Today has engaged The Diversity Pledge Institute to provide services in connection with the recruiting and hiring process. DPI may only use job applicants’ personal data and information in connection with providing services related to hiring and recruiting. Mississippi Today does not otherwise share job applicants’ data and information with other organizations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr