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 News Special Projects Editor manages a team of journalists reporting on a range of beats and focuses attention on building longer-term projects as assigned, including investigative projects and community-focused journalism. The editing responsibilities include assigning, shaping, editing and producing audio and digital news content.

The ideal candidate must have solid news judgment, capability to generate robust story ideas, and the ability to quickly turn the editing of breaking news as needed. This editor must have excellent journalism skills and be able to make authoritative editorial judgment regarding the accuracy and newsworthiness of material.

The Special Projects Editor also has experience managing teams and developing enterprising news stories. The ideal candidate is dogged, curious, ambitious and able to work with colleagues who have a variety of levels of experience. This editor will start off editing the daily workflow of two education reporters and additional special projects as assigned.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages daily and weekly editorial workflows of a team of reporters while planning for and executing on longer-term projects.

• Has superior editing and project management skills.

• Able to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

• Edits final content to ensure accuracy and quality of all work.

• Has demonstrated experience editing and reporting impactful enterprise stories as well as applied knowledge of investigative journalism and incorporating data to enhance storytelling.

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

• Works on internal and external journalism projects as assigned, including WHYY News community-building projects, assist with journalistic and editing needs of community journalism partners and pipeline projects.

• Incorporate data journalism elements into news special projects and work collaboratively with news digital team members to that end.

• Capable of coaching reporters, editors and news grantees on developing excellent narrative and enterprise storytelling. Contribute to WHYY News Storytelling Training series. 

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

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

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

• In addition to daily editing of assigned beat reporters, the special project editor will work with the community and engagement team manager, editorial director and VP of News on community journalism content and collaborative grant projects

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

• Participates in community events and on industry panels as needed.

• Maintains a regular and consistent schedule.

• Available to work holidays, nights and/or weekends per department scheduling needs and the news cycle. Able to fill in for other editors as assigned during vacations.

• Resolves issues as a manager and is proactive with providing solutions as applicable.

• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

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.

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

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