Welcome. We are The Markup (https://themarkup.org/) -- a brand new nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism organization in New York City. We're hiring!

Our mission is to investigate and illuminate the societal effects of new technologies. Because technology is changing everything: who we vote for, how we raise our kids, who can get housing, jobs, healthcare and a comfortable life. Our goal is to hold the powerful to account, raise the cost of bad behavior, and spur reforms. We start publishing in 2019.

The Markup is looking for an Assistant Managing Editor, Investigative to lead our reporters through high-quality data-driven investigations illuminating the societal effects of new technologies.

The Markup is committed to building a team that includes a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, and an organizational culture that is reader-centered, inventive, rigorous, and courageous. A collaborative team-based approach is core for us: we won't tolerate jerks. We aim to be a place where a diverse mix of dedicated people will want to come, to stay, and do their best work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, country of origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

About the position

At The Markup, investigations are the heart of what we do. Our approach to investigative journalism is guided by the scientific method. We develop hypotheses and assemble data —through crowdsourcing, FOIAs, and automated data collection— to test our theories.

The AME will supervise our investigative reporters and data journalists, guiding them through their investigations and helping them write compelling articles based on our findings. They will support our team-based approach to investigations, helping to pair data journalists and reporters on stories. They will

provide counsel on reporting strategies and data collection techniques.

The AME will report to the Managing Editor and will be a key member of the editorial leadership team. This is an amazing opportunity for a smart,  inventive person to get in on the ground floor, helping to build an exciting new publication.

Responsibilities

Supervise several teams of reporters and data journalists and set the agenda for their investigative output. Supervise and guide their reporting. Edit and copy-edit the articles produced by those reporters.

Coach and mentor investigative staff and train them in The Markup’s team-based data-driven investigative methodology. Keep them motivated and hard-working, and make sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs.

Supervise processes for pitching, approving, developing, scheduling, and vetting investigative stories. Kill stories when necessary.

Plan and produce multiple high-quality investigations per quarter.

Set and maintain editorial tone, style, and standards for The Markup's investigative work. Work closely with internal and external counsel. Ensure investigative staff understand and live up to The Markup's standards, and that the team achieves a high-quality editorial output overall.

Working closely with the design and graphics team to find ways to best showcase our investigative findings.

Act as a conduit for information across the newsroom with the goal of helping people know what's going on and stay aligned with each other.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with deep experience in investigative journalism, and some experience with data journalism. You’ll need to be collaborative, transparent, and excited to be part of a team.

The skills we are looking for are:

You have a minimum of ten years of experience writing and/or editing in a high-quality journalism setting aimed at the general public.

You have minimum of five years of experience leading journalistic teams that have conducted significant investigations.

You have a deep familiarity with investigative journalism practices including those related to sourcing, leaking, and anonymity; data collecting and analysis, and FOIA requests; and deep familiarity with relevant law.

You have experience with data journalism, and an understanding of its value, ethics, methods, and challenges.

You have the ability to develop compelling long-form investigative stories, and to teach other people how to do it.

You have experience being responsible for upholding newsroom editorial standards.

You have a strong orientation towards making stories clear, understandable, and engaging for a generalist readership.

You have integrity, courage, and an orientation towards transparency, accountability, and collaboration.

Compensation

We pay fair and reasonable salaries, and we offer a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability, pet insurance, and retirement plan contributions.

The salary for this position begins at $125,000, and will be established based on the successful candidate's skills, abilities and experience.

How to apply

We have engaged DRi Consulting to assist us with this search. To apply, please fill out the form below and submit a cover letter, resume, 3-5 clips of work you have edited, and 3-5 story ideas for investigations you might want to pursue if you joined us.

Applications that don't include a cover letter will not be considered. Please do not contact the hiring manager directly. Please do not send a CV or application package to staff at their individual email addresses. If you do, it will probably just get lost.

This position will work out of our New York City office. If you don't currently live in New York but are willing to relocate for this position, please make that clear in your cover letter. We will pay relocation expenses for successful candidates.

At this time, we can't consider applications from people who don't already have the legal right to work in the United States. In order to work for The Markup, you'll be required to provide documentation establishing that you're eligible for U.S. employment.