Contributing Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

WHYY News seeks a Managing Editor, Delaware to support the journalism and the team of journalists covering the First State. The editing responsibilities include assigning, shaping, editing and producing news content created by news staff such as but not limited to web stories, audio and digital news content. Editing needs include supervising reporters based in Delaware and contributing to general newsroom editing needs. 

In addition to editing, assigning and coaching reporters, this editor will supervise and coordinate community engagement activities for WHYY’s Delaware news team in collaboration with the newsroom’s community engagement team and interdepartmental stakeholders. This includes collaborating on the production of and attending community events that support awareness of WHYY at-large and its newsroom. This editor is responsible for facilitating the successful production of community engagement across Delaware as needed from Wilmington to Sussex County. In summary, this role underscores our newsroom’s community-focused approach and represents an opportunity for a news editor to also integrate a community engagement work into their newsgathering approach.

The ideal candidate has solid news judgment, ability to cultivate engaging storylines, experience with coaching reporters, and the capability to quickly turn editing of breaking and major news when needed.

This editor also has a track record of managing teams, leading news coverage and/or developing enterprising news stories. The ideal candidate is inspiring, energizing, and capable of mentoring reporters with varying levels of experience. The News Editor works from the office at least four days per week or as assigned to locations across the state of Delaware as part of the newsroom’s community engagement work. All editors pitch in when needed on editing shifts that may require working a holiday and/or filling in for a weekend shift to support general newsroom editing needs. This position is a grant funded position for two years.

 This is a grant funded position until 12/31/27.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Edit daily and weekly editorial workflows from assigned reporters. 

• Edit news content to ensure accuracy and quality of all work.

• Multitasker and self-starter that manages and directs reporter workflows and meets deadlines.

• Possess solid news judgment and edits with Associated Press style and WHYY News style. 

• Teamplayer and proactive to advance news storytelling and coverage with a sense of urgency.

• Can manage, edit and lead a reporting team responsible for producing daily journalism on tight deadlines. 

• Capable of coaching reporters, providing performance review feedback and guidance on storytelling and professional development.

• Work on assigned special projects and participates in community events as assigned. Working to build bridges between the newsroom and community requires the editor to be able to engage with a cross section of people and organizations.

• Possesses project management skills and the capabilities for organizing community engagement events. Can represent the newsroom at events and participate in public speaking opportunities as needed.

• Collaborates across departments to pursue accompanying visuals, data analysis, audience engagement opportunities, social media assets, partnerships or live events that compliment WHYY News journalism.

• Participate in culture building, inclusive decision-making, and brings fresh ideas to the organization. 

• Contribute to the development of news staff via the WHYY News Storytelling Training series.  

• Work with the Vice President of News and senior editors to ensure that deliverables on grant funded projects are met, including grant-funded special projects. 

• Support building an inclusive work environment and cultivate staff work and coverage that represents a variety of perspectives. 

• Maintains a regular and consistent schedule.

• Available to work holidays, nights and/or weekends per department scheduling needs and the news cycle. 

• Performs other duties as required.

Education:  A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field or the equivalent professional experience.

Experience:  Five years of daily journalism experience. At least two years of experience as an editor of a print or radio newsroom in the role of an assignment editor or comparable editing and management experience. Demonstrated effectiveness managing staff both in person and remotely. Knowledge of legal and ethical standards of broadcast journalism. Experience demonstrating editorial decision making and cultural competency. Multiplatform editing experience.

Technical Skills: Experience working across platforms: Must understand differences in text and audio script editing; must have understanding of digital journalism including search engine optimization and visual elements; and an understanding of video production.