
Narrative and Projects Editor
The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, Baltimore, MD, United States
The Banner seeks a Narrative Editor to lead and shape our most ambitious storytelling and investigative work. This is a critical leadership role at a pivotal moment for our newsroom, signaling our deep commitment to exceptional writing, rigorous reporting and resonate journalism.
This editor knows how to take great ideas and transform them into unforgettable storytelling. They are an exceptional line editor and a patient writing coach who can push talented journalists to do the best work of their careers. They understand that great narrative is not defined by length, but by impact.
They are also a skilled project leader who can organize complex, cross-functional efforts with clarity and purpose, and who can effectively collaborate with other editors and teams to elevate work across the newsroom.
The Narrative Editor will oversee a high-performing team that includes two writers and a data team. The members of this team have earned the highest honors in journalism, including a Pulitzer Prize and many investigative awards. This editor will be responsible for inspiring and elevating their work and the work of the newsroom.
The right candidate has a long track record of producing deeply reported, beautifully written journalism that connects with audiences. They bring ideas to the table, collaborate across teams and help set the standard for narrative excellence across the newsroom. This role reports to senior editorial leadership.
What You'll Do:
Lead the conception, organization, execution and editing of the newsroom's most ambitious narrative and investigative projects
Edit with precision and care, elevating stories so they are compelling, clear and unforgettable
Coach and develop a team of high-performing journalists, helping them grow as writers and journalists
Spearhead a project greenlighting process that helps prioritize our most resource-intensive efforts
Collaborate with editors across the newsroom to elevate enterprise and investigative storytelling on every team
Generate and refine story ideas that resonate and attract audiences
Set and uphold the highest standards for narrative storytelling, accuracy and fairness
Occasionally serve as a back editor on daily or enterprise stories
What You'll Bring:
At least 5 years of editing experience, preferably at a senior level
A distinguished track record as a narrative editor, with work that demonstrates the ability to elevate stories into compelling, high-impact journalism
Exceptional line editing and storytelling skills, with a deep understanding of structure, voice and pacing
A strong sense of story form, with the judgment to know when depth and length serve the work and when brevity is more powerful
Impeccable editorial judgment, a deep commitment to accuracy, and experience managing journalists through complicated legal issues
Experience managing reporters and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
Proven ability to lead complex projects from conception to publication, and the organizational skills to manage multiple efforts simultaneously
A collaborative spirit and the ability to communicate clearly across teams and leadership levels
A commitment to coaching and developing journalists with care, clarity and high expectations
Salary Range
$140,000 - $160,000
Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by several factors including experience, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. We constantly review all teammate pay to ensure a great compensation package that is fair and equal across the board.
Our amazing benefits include:
Flexible Paid Time Off
Retirement savings - 401K plan offered through Human Interest, with a company match
Student Loan Debt Repayment Assistance for qualified employees
Full health benefits - medical, dental, vision, prescription, FSA/HSA., and coverage for family/dependents
Sick Leave eligible for rollover
Commuter Benefits
11 Paid National Holidays
Employee Assistance Program
Generous Parental Leave
Company paid access to a wellness platform to support mental, financial and physical wellbeing
Application Submission:
Please include a cover letter and résumé. In your cover letter, please highlight how your career experience maps to this role.
Our Core Values:
Do what's right. Honesty, morality, respect and the mission guide our actions and decisions. By doing the right thing, we inspire others to believe.
Work together. We collaborate to create something special. Together we challenge assumptions, trust each other, take risks, and foster transparent and direct communication.
Listen to be heard. Our stories are trustworthy. They are inspired by and created for our readers. Their story is our story. Communities are at the center of our journalism, and everything we do.
Deliver impactful results. Acting as one accountable team and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, we deliver bold and innovative results. We act fast, execute and learn. We celebrate great outcomes.
Be inclusive. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and act by curating a culture that leverages diverse perspectives as the key to fulfilling our mission. The Banner is for all of us.
The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism embraces diversity and inclusion, and we are wholeheartedly committed to being proactive in inspiring a culture of inclusion across our organization. We are dedicated to establishing an organization that reflects the fundamental respect for different ways of working and living, and we assure every employee the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation due to a disability to participate in the application process, please contact careers@thebanner.com to request accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, adjustments in the application process, modifications or assistance regarding job interviews, and accommodations to enable access to our facilities. We appreciate the value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce and encourage applicants with disabilities to disclose their needs for accommodation to facilitate a smooth and inclusive recruitment experience.
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