Job Overview
Over the next three years, Cardinal News will execute a regional expansion plan that deepens reporting in Southwest and Southside Virginia while adding new zones of coverage across communities lacking dedicated local journalism. This growth includes expanding the newsroom, launching additional geographic and enterprise beats, and strengthening audience engagement capacity. The Editor in Chief will lead this expansion, guiding the organization as it fulfills its mission to cover a journalistically underserved region of Virginia.
Key Responsibilities
- Seek collaborations and partners for projects, products, and events that serve our mission.
- Foster a team culture that supports employees to perform at their highest abilities.
- Place continuous emphasis on team building and communication to enhance shared values across a remote workforce.
- Maintain an inclusive workplace that supports a sense of belonging and is inclusive of all people regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Communicate Cardinal News’ mission and vision clearly to reporters, supporters, partners, and the journalism community at large.
- Ensure systems, processes, procedures, and key metrics are in place and continuously used.
- Oversee all aspects of the journalism team, including the managing editor, founding editor/columnist, associate editors, reporters, and copy editors.
- Lead the newsroom in producing long‑form journalism, short news updates, and in‑depth enterprise and investigative stories.
- Develop outreach and engagement strategies, testing new ways to present stories on preferred formats and platforms.
- Track and assess the impact of stories on community engagement and civic participation.
- Hire, coach, and develop reporters and editors, ensuring high performance and addressing underperformance.
- Provide clear direction on the newsroom’s vision and support necessary for staff to perform at high levels.
- Commit to flexibility and willingness to wear multiple hats as the organization grows.
Qualifications
- A steadfast commitment to local journalism.
- Minimum ten years of managing a newsroom, including experience as the top newsroom leader.
- Proven track record guiding reporters to produce accountability journalism and making editorial decisions on complex or sensitive content.
- Experience demonstrating visionary thinking and execution of goals.
- Hands‑on knowledge of setting and assessing performance‑based expectations and coaching newsroom staff.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a high‑performing news team.
- Excellent communication skills across all levels.
- Exemplary organizational and time‑management skills.
- Flexibility and willingness to wear many hats.
- Understanding of the communities served and the people they represent.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Paid holidays and vacation time
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Contributions to health savings accounts
- Matching 401(k) plan
- Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
- A collaborative, mission‑driven team environment
EEO Statement
Cardinal News is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.
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