Freelance Development Editor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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School of Communication

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

ExemptFull On Campus PresenceExcluded

Summary:
The Investigative Reporting Workshop, a nonprofit news organization based at American University, seeks an experienced, dynamic Managing Editor to lead the production of ambitious, high impact investigative journalism and help shape the future of the field. This is a senior leadership role for an editor who thrives in the intersection of editorial excellence, innovation, and mentorship. We are interested in a calm, collaborative, and detail-oriented team player with the people skills to earn the trust of both students and seasoned investigative reporters.

The Managing Editor will oversee daily newsroom operations while driving major reporting projects in collaboration with leading news organizations. They will play a central role in developing the next generation of investigative journalists and expanding the Workshop's reach, partnerships, and impact. This is a rare opportunity to shape consequential journalism while investing in the future of the profession. The Managing Editor will help define editorial strategy, expand the reach of investigative reporting, and ensure that vital, accountability-driven stories are produced and seen.

Exceptional candidates with important skills that do not precisely match the above description are welcome to apply and tell us about yourself.

Why Join us:

This is a rare opportunity to shape consequential journalism while investing in the future of the profession. The Managing Editor will help define editorial strategy, expand the reach of investigative reporting, and ensure that vital, accountability driven stories are produced and seen.

IRW has partnered with dozens of news organizations, among them the New York Times, Washington Post and the New Yorker, and produced and contributed to work that has won Emmys and Pulitzer Prizes.

Essential Functions:

1.) Lead Day-to-Day Editorial Operations

• Assign, edit, and fact-check stories.

• Work closely with editors and reporters at our publishing partners to ensure compliance with their standards of ethics and legal considerations.

• Oversee those on contract for reporting, editing, design, and web development.

• Approve any and all use of proprietary or subscription-based tools to do our work.

• Collaborate with the data editor to ensure accurate work across all projects and stories.

• Assure the highest standards of accuracy to all work, including that posted to social media, our newsletter, internal and external emails and memos, and any and all correspondence.

• Along with the executive editor, meet with visiting national and international journalists as needed for workshops and do informational interviews regarding nonprofit newsrooms.

• Collaborate with the executive editor and operations manager on HR and day-to-day financials, developing long-term options for growth and recruitment.

2.) Help to Conceive, Assign, and Edit Complex Investigative Projects from Pitch through Publication

• Develop ideas for stories to pitch to various previous co-publishing partners or potential new partners in investigative work, from local to national topics in line with our general guidelines of accountability reporting.

• Work with interns and graduate fellows on how to pitch, edit pitches, early drafts, and keep partner news organizations informed of our progress.

3.) Recruit, Hire, and Mentor Student and Early-career Journalists, Pairing them with Partner Newsrooms on High-level Reporting Collaborations

• Hire all interns, graduate fellows, and post-graduate fellows, including developing updated job descriptions, interviewing finalists, and working with the operations manager on onboarding.

• Interview and hire freelance reporters and editors as needed.

4.) Build and Manage Relationships with External Partners

• Interview and hire freelance reporters and editors as needed, as well as design and web development contractors.

• Manage relationships with external professional partners in other newsrooms through frequent contact and updates; solicit feedback.

• Develop new outlets and secure memorandums of understanding for engaging additional newsroom partnerships.

• Working with the operations manager, create new contracts for those working in design, photography, web development, and related fields.

5.) Oversee Editorial Budgets, Timelines, and Production Workflows

• Develop tracking for multiple projects underway with various timelines and due dates for reporting memos, updated file/document/public-records tracking, and production deadlines to ensure that all visual assets are available to both IRW and publishing partners.

6.) Ensure Alignment Between Editorial Output and the Organization's Broader Mission and Strategic Priorities

• Update ethical guidelines frequently regarding new and changing technologies.

• Review quarterly stories and partnerships to decide whether and how best to continue, as some partnerships are ongoing and others are less frequent.

Competencies:

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.

• Prioritizing and Organizing.

• Displaying Creativity.

• Supporting Coworkers.

• Acting Ethically and with Integrity.

• Serving Customers.

• Supporting a Diverse and Inclusive Community.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.

• 35 hours per week.

• This position is in person and eligible for Hybrid 1 schedule (on-campus 3 - 4 days per week).

• Location is at the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University School of Communication (SOC) in Washington, D.C.

• Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.

Salary Range:

• $78,000.00 - $90,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 5 - 8 years of relevant experience.

• Substantial experience in investigative or enterprise journalism, with a track record of impactful, high-quality work.

• Proven leadership in managing editors, reporters, and cross-functional teams on complex, deadline-driven projects.

• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to elevate ambitious reporting to the highest standards.

• Experience working collaboratively across organizations or in partnership-driven journalism.

• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing emerging journalists.

• Fluency in digital storytelling, newsroom tools, and evolving industry practices.

• A calm, collaborative, and detail-oriented team player with the people skills to earn the trust of both students and seasoned investigative reporters.

• Exceptional candidates with important skills that do not precisely match the above description are welcome to apply and tell us about yourself.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent.

• Previous work at a nonprofit newsroom is a plus.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter, and links to at least three recent stories you have produced or edited.

• Employees in the School of Communication are required to work on campus in a full presence modality for the first month of their employment.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package.Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoWorkdayand select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, emailtheworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.