Managing Editor

Date Posted	April 26, 2024
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Other
Required Education	Bachelor's Degree
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

The Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com in Lexington, Kentucky, are seeking a Managing Editor who will work in tandem with the executive editor to build the best Newsroom of its size in the country. 

This is a senior-level management role that will have a strong voice and vision in shaping our team’s overall strategic direction on a daily and long-term basis. You’ll be focused on four unyielding principles: Delivering essential content; leading with care, compassion and competitive fire; building and retaining a new pool of subscribers; and transforming the Herald-Leader into a digital powerhouse, with a laser focus on new forms of storytelling and engagement as guided by audience analytics tools. 

You’ll be charged with pursuing fair and fearless journalism that defends the First Amendment and serves our readers in Lexington, Central Kentucky and our entire commonwealth on key issues and topics. The words “coach, mentor, collaborator and leader” define expectations – and success – for this role. You also must have considerable experience with digital analytics and know how to interpret data that ensures an even larger audience for our staff’s work. 

Our Newsroom is built around the people who work here. We have a collaborative, communicative and competitive spirit that permeates our operation. Working closely with the executive editor, the managing editor will have the authority to shape our journalism. That role extends from story conception and reporting/storytelling approach to distribution and promotion in order to maximize reach and impact, with an emphasis on strong accountability and watchdog journalism in all aspects of our coverage.

The ideal managing editor must have a proven track record of success as either a senior editor or a managing editor at a smaller outlet. We don’t care exclusively about awards. It’s great if you come to the table with notable work that’s earned attention, but we seek the architect of a consistently good, highly relevant and sophisticated pipeline of community coverage. 

You must recognize that revelatory content is king. But it’s imperative you’re digitally focused and have strong news judgment, writing, editing, social and reader engagement skills along with exceptional coaching abilities and leadership qualities. 

The managing editor will need to do much of this work in a hands-on way and will work directly with reporters in some areas of coverage. An important role: Teaching reporters and others to think and work in a reader- and community-centered way. 

The managing editor reports to the Herald-Leader’s executive editor/McClatchy’s Central regional editor. The managing editor also will work closely with the regional audience growth editor, the regional service journalism editor and others to ensure we are collaborating effectively with other content teams across McClatchy. 

We are part of McClatchy, a digitally driven company focused on innovation, with newsrooms in 30 communities across the country.

ABOUT LEXINGTON

The Herald-Leader is a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Newsroom: Winning in 1986 for investigative reporting; 1992 for Editorial Writing; and 2000 for Editorial Cartooning. 

Lexington is considered the horse capital of the world, with bucolic horse farms and the historic Keeneland track. But make no mistake: Lexington, in the heart of Central Kentucky’s bluegrass region, is so much more: A thriving restaurant/dining scene; lots of arts outlets, weekend activities and cultural festivals and events; a solid regional economy; an extensive park system with numerous green spaces and a picturesque outdoor recreation scene, including – just down the road – the Daniel Boone National Forest and Red River Gorge, with its sandstone arches and countless hiking trails. Affordable, accessible and, if you’re a bourbon lover, it’s a $9 billion industry in our state with some of its biggest and most famous brands just minutes from our downtown.

We’re a regional draw, with Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis easy drives from our Newsroom. 

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO US:

The proven ability to lead, inspire and convey knowledge to others and to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues in managing change.

Strong interpersonal skills, including compassion toward readers and staff. 

The ability to lead, direct, collaborate with and coach colleagues throughout the newsroom and regionally.

Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced, constantly evolving, and more outcome-oriented than task-oriented.  

Skill and versatility as an editor and a writer, including the ability to shape everything from breaking news briefs to longform pieces and watchdog journalism in a way that best serves and engages our audiences. 

Ability to articulate and reinforce standards for ethics and professional conduct, as well as journalistic excellence.

An interest in the science of readership and engagement, and an understanding of how to use readership data to inform the editorial process. 

A focus on ensuring that our content and staffing represents the fullness of our community and state and the diversity of the people who live here. 

The ability to solve problems, innovate and adapt in service of the primary goal, which is to produce quality journalism that reaches and engages readers and subscribers and has an impact.

Entrepreneurial spirit focused on helping to identify and build new opportunities.

Enthusiasm for helping to build philanthropic and community support for the journalism we do. 

REQUIREMENTS:

A track record of journalistic excellence, particularly in digital journalism.

Strong editing and writing skills and superior news judgment.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Proven news editing and management experience

An interest in and aptitude for storytelling using a broad range of media, including the written word, video, photography, podcasts and other audio, and whatever comes next.

Proficiency in utilizing AI tools and technologies is highly desired. 

WHAT WE’LL BRING TO YOUR CAREER

As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends. 

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.

TO APPLY

Please include a comprehensive cover letter that recounts your experience, your commitment to consequential content, leadership skills and your approach to coaching. Include an updated resume and 4-6 examples of the work you're most proud of that speaks to your skills. Feel free to contact our Executive Editor at rgreen@herald-leader.com 

ABOUT McCLATCHY

Our impact is growing every day: 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger. 

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.