Senior Editor Investigative Unit
The Walt Disney Company, Bristol, CT, United States
Senior Editor Investigative Unit
Job ID: 10146684 – Location: Bristol, Connecticut, United States – Business: ESPN – Date posted: Apr. 13, 2026
Job Summary The ESPN Investigative Unit, which sits within the company’s Investigative and Enterprise Unit, is dedicated to the mission of crafting deeply reported, multidisciplinary and carefully edited investigative stories and profiles, news breaks, and special projects on the most vital figures and topics in sports. This type of journalism carries outsize complexity alongside notable risk – not only in terms of execution and the standard legal concerns with any type of investigative journalism, but also the unique circumstances of doing this work at ESPN, which counts as business partners the many people, organizations and leagues often targeted by this work. While executing the work and distributing this work through ESPN’s digital platforms, the team collaborates closely and manages these projects alongside and with oversight of creative counterparts on ESPN’s TV, Films, podcast, and social teams to bring its stories to the widest audience possible.
Responsibilities
Direct feature‑length investigative stories from conceptualization and assigning to line editing and distribution.
Be able to very effectively communicate complex ideas and circumstances: The editor must be able to anticipate the needs of executives as this unit navigates producing work that can appear damaging to a business partner; the editor needs to be able to confidently deliver timely, factual communications to multiple constituencies, understanding the sensitivities of strategic business relationships while upholding the company’s journalistic principles.
Closely track and identify emerging trends, issues, subjects, and topics within sports, then apply advanced ingenuity, creativity, and journalistic and organizational skills to help shape assignments.
Manage a small team of veteran investigative writers, maximizing their creativity, productivity, and growth.
Coordinate staffing assignments, editorial resources, and process.
Coordinate with legal department on sensitive stories.
Be able to balance the pursuit of excellence in journalism and deliver on it in the unique ESPN business environment.
Be able to discern what, how, and when to communicate with senior executives and other department leaders when the journalism effort is in the lane of affecting business partners.
Collaborate with design, product and technology managers on presentation and site enhancements.
Recruit, hire, and develop talented new voices that contribute to all of ESPN’s platforms.
Maintain proficiency and knowledge in latest trends, technology, and best practices in editing and how our readers consume our content.
Be proficient in the U.S. legal system as it relates to criminal justice issues but also public records requests and appeals of denials.
Be proficient in data analysis and computer‑assisted reporting techniques.
Maintain proficiency and knowledge in latest trends and best practices for visual storytelling.
Maintain proficiency and knowledge for SEO.
Ensure all content meets established tone, theme, accuracy, fairness, style, and consistency requirements.
Identify opportunities for strategic growth in both revenue and traffic metrics.
Required Qualifications
Advanced experience in journalism, line editing and ideation, strong competence in writing and reporting.
Advanced experience in non‑sports journalism.
Advanced ability to follow and shape stories at all stages of development.
Advanced ability to help writers craft award‑winning long‑form content.
Keen news judgment.
Broad knowledge of sports, especially pro and college.
Broad knowledge of political, social, hard news, criminal justice, education and government issues and developments.
Basic knowledge of open records laws and how to obtain public documents.
Basic knowledge/appreciation of the elements of video and audio platform production.
Advanced understanding of web‑authoring tools and software, and familiarity with content management systems.
Strong people management skills.
Good appreciation of popular culture.
Strong understanding of the market positioning and strategies of assigned major sports and events.
Required Education
An undergraduate degree in journalism, communications, online/multimedia or related field and a minimum of five years’ direct professional editorial and/or reporting experience, with at least one year in people management.
A high school diploma and a suitable combination of related training and experience including one year of people‑management experience.
ESPN Productions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
The Walt Disney Company and its affiliated companies are equal employment opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
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Job Summary The ESPN Investigative Unit, which sits within the company’s Investigative and Enterprise Unit, is dedicated to the mission of crafting deeply reported, multidisciplinary and carefully edited investigative stories and profiles, news breaks, and special projects on the most vital figures and topics in sports. This type of journalism carries outsize complexity alongside notable risk – not only in terms of execution and the standard legal concerns with any type of investigative journalism, but also the unique circumstances of doing this work at ESPN, which counts as business partners the many people, organizations and leagues often targeted by this work. While executing the work and distributing this work through ESPN’s digital platforms, the team collaborates closely and manages these projects alongside and with oversight of creative counterparts on ESPN’s TV, Films, podcast, and social teams to bring its stories to the widest audience possible.
Responsibilities
Direct feature‑length investigative stories from conceptualization and assigning to line editing and distribution.
Be able to very effectively communicate complex ideas and circumstances: The editor must be able to anticipate the needs of executives as this unit navigates producing work that can appear damaging to a business partner; the editor needs to be able to confidently deliver timely, factual communications to multiple constituencies, understanding the sensitivities of strategic business relationships while upholding the company’s journalistic principles.
Closely track and identify emerging trends, issues, subjects, and topics within sports, then apply advanced ingenuity, creativity, and journalistic and organizational skills to help shape assignments.
Manage a small team of veteran investigative writers, maximizing their creativity, productivity, and growth.
Coordinate staffing assignments, editorial resources, and process.
Coordinate with legal department on sensitive stories.
Be able to balance the pursuit of excellence in journalism and deliver on it in the unique ESPN business environment.
Be able to discern what, how, and when to communicate with senior executives and other department leaders when the journalism effort is in the lane of affecting business partners.
Collaborate with design, product and technology managers on presentation and site enhancements.
Recruit, hire, and develop talented new voices that contribute to all of ESPN’s platforms.
Maintain proficiency and knowledge in latest trends, technology, and best practices in editing and how our readers consume our content.
Be proficient in the U.S. legal system as it relates to criminal justice issues but also public records requests and appeals of denials.
Be proficient in data analysis and computer‑assisted reporting techniques.
Maintain proficiency and knowledge in latest trends and best practices for visual storytelling.
Maintain proficiency and knowledge for SEO.
Ensure all content meets established tone, theme, accuracy, fairness, style, and consistency requirements.
Identify opportunities for strategic growth in both revenue and traffic metrics.
Required Qualifications
Advanced experience in journalism, line editing and ideation, strong competence in writing and reporting.
Advanced experience in non‑sports journalism.
Advanced ability to follow and shape stories at all stages of development.
Advanced ability to help writers craft award‑winning long‑form content.
Keen news judgment.
Broad knowledge of sports, especially pro and college.
Broad knowledge of political, social, hard news, criminal justice, education and government issues and developments.
Basic knowledge of open records laws and how to obtain public documents.
Basic knowledge/appreciation of the elements of video and audio platform production.
Advanced understanding of web‑authoring tools and software, and familiarity with content management systems.
Strong people management skills.
Good appreciation of popular culture.
Strong understanding of the market positioning and strategies of assigned major sports and events.
Required Education
An undergraduate degree in journalism, communications, online/multimedia or related field and a minimum of five years’ direct professional editorial and/or reporting experience, with at least one year in people management.
A high school diploma and a suitable combination of related training and experience including one year of people‑management experience.
ESPN Productions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
The Walt Disney Company and its affiliated companies are equal employment opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
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