| Date Posted | January 23, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Newspapers |
| Specialty | Other |
| Required Education | Bachelor's Degree |
| Job Status | Full-time |
| Salary | Not Specified |
Description:
McClatchy is seeking a strategic, audience-focused news leader to lead its award-winning newsroom in Columbia, South Carolina.
As executive editor of The State, you would embrace and elevate a talented team of journalists to reach an ever-growing and increasingly diverse audience of readers in Columbia and the broader Midlands region.
This hands-on leader should embrace and elevate the newsroom as the preeminent local media brand in the region, producing unique, audience-focused coverage consistent with McClatchy’s longstanding mission of independent, essential local news that serves the public.
The executive editor will leverage a high-impact newsroom into a sustainable news operation that produces quick-turn accountability journalism, relevant service stories, and breaking news that is first and best on the issues that are most important to our communities. Strong candidates will bring fresh ideas on producing a high volume of unique, relevant local journalism to build reader loyalty.
We’re looking for someone who not only loves a good story but who is also passionate about finding and developing top-level talent, aggressively experimenting with next-generation strategies and tools, and focusing intentionally on local journalism that creates must-visit destinations for our communities.
McClatchy seeks leaders who are excited about the opportunities to responsibly harness artificial intelligence and other automation — to enhance and elevate our efforts and create workflow efficiencies that free our journalists to do their most important work.
Success in this role will be measured by the distinctive journalism produced by the newsroom as well as subscriber growth for that differentiated content. This requires a command of audience analytics and tactics that deliver results. This leader must be able to approach the role with creative, fresh ideas on how to serve a local audience, whether covering local government, state politics or the Gamecocks.
Columbia provides an inspiring backdrop for this important work. The state’s capital and home to the University of South Carolina offers an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities as well as all of the trappings of a vibrant downtown. You’ll enjoy the low cost of living and a location within a three-hour drive west to the mountains and two hours east to the beach.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience as a successful leader of a newsroom or large news team.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in journalism.
- Experience working with news analytics to grow audience and drive subscriptions.
- Experience building successful teams and experimenting with purpose to better serve our local audiences.
- Experience as a multi-platform storyteller, with passion for the written word as well as visual journalism.
To apply, please submit your resume and a persuasive cover letter.
What we’ll bring:
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.
About McClatchy:
Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 56 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.
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