Editorial Director

About WHYY

WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.

Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast-paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award-winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind-the-scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program. It’s how we live.

About the Role

The WHYY Editorial Director manages the day-to-day editorial operations for the newsroom and develops its editorial focus. This news leader collaborates regularly with the broadcast and digital teams to ensure congruence of WHYY storytelling across audio, written and visual content. The Editorial Director executes editorial vision in collaboration with the vice president of news and other editors. Being an effective problem solver comes with ease for this detail-oriented manager, who also thrives at coaching staff on reporting, newswriting and editing best practices as well as developing distinctive story angles. The Editorial Director monitors news developments and feature story possibilities. The news leader understands how best to serve the Greater Philadelphia audience with news and information. Direct reports include editors and some reporters.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the day-to-day editorial operations and direct the gathering and production of WHYY news content
• Ensure quality and presentation of stories are ripe for audio newscasts, as well as broadcast and digital distribution
• Ability to communicate an editorial vision, as developed in concert with the VP of News, and apply it to news decisions on day-to-day basis and for long-term projects
• Assign reporters and editors to cover breaking news and general news assignments, as well as projects
• Collaborate with the Digital Director to ensure news content is amplified across broadcast, digital platforms and emerging platforms
• Coach the reporting and editing staff on developing distinctive storytelling angles
• Edit stories and content as needed; ensure reporting is accurate and timely
• Maintain high journalistic and editorial standards and champion both AP Style and WHYY Style
• Establish timelines for projects, daily deadlines and team workflows
• Work with the community engagement team on content opportunities that sync with community outreach efforts
• Develop audience-focused content with an eye toward growth and engaging new and diverse audiences
• Practice performance management and supervise news staff; manage scheduling; evaluate staff performance and make recommendations for personnel action if applicable; create training opportunities for staff
• Motivate and inspire colleagues in the production of impactful journalism
• Develop news projects and content streams that contribute to established goals
• Lead daily news meetings and planning meetings
• Monitor and track staff equipment usage and make recommendations as needed
• Perform additional duties as assigned
• Availability to work nights and weekends as needed, per the news cycle
• Maintain a regular and predictable attendance and partake in interdepartmental and organization-wide meetings, as assigned

Education: A bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications or equivalent is required.

Experience: Five or more years of journalism experience working inside a newsroom. Prior reporting experience with a command for finding and telling captivating stories. Experience writing and editing broadcast, audio and/or written news stories. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal and listening skills are needed. Industry leadership, people management and/or supervisory experience required. Investigative, digital, producing and data journalism experience are a plus.

Technical Skills: Understanding of multiple journalism platforms – broadcast, web, digital, social media, visual – and how content must be prepared for various distribution modes. Applied experience with broadcast, audio and digital tools. Audio and video editing skills are a plus.

*All WHYY employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Proof will be required upon hiring.