Managing Editor

Description:

Salem Reporter is seeking a strong newsroom leader to guide one of Oregon’s most trusted and fastest-growing local news organizations.

This is an opportunity for an experienced editor who believes deeply in local journalism and wants to help shape the future of community news. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative, uptempo newsroom, values accountability reporting, and can help reporters do their best work every day. We’re part of LION and Report for America.

The managing editor serves as the newsroom’s operational leader, overseeing daily news coverage, editing, workflow, and staff development while helping Salem Reporter continue to grow its audience and impact across the mid-Willamette Valley.

This role reports directly to the Editor/CEO.

About Salem Reporter

Salem Reporter is an independent digital news organization founded in 2018 focused exclusively on serving Salem and surrounding communities with fair, accurate, and distinctive journalism. Our newsroom is deeply committed to accountability reporting, explanatory journalism, and building trust with readers through strong community coverage.

We are a small but ambitious team that believes local journalism matters — and that great reporting can strengthen communities.

What You’ll Do

*Run the day-to-day newsroom operation and help ensure the report stays sharp, timely, organized, and responsive.

*Directly supervise a reporting staff of six reporters, helping them grow as journalists while maintaining high standards and clear expectations.

*Help drive enterprise and accountability journalism.

*Maintain Salem Reporter’s reputation for accurate, fair, thoughtful journalism.

*Work closely with Editor Les Zaitz, founder and two-time Pulitzer finalist with a long record of investigative and enterprise work in Oregon.

What We’re Looking For

Ideal candidates will bring:

Significant newsroom editing and leadership experience

Strong news judgment and editing skills

Experience managing reporters and daily news operations

A commitment to ethical, community-centered journalism

Ability to work calmly under deadline pressure

Strong organizational and communication skills

A collaborative leadership style

Enthusiasm for local journalism and helping a growing newsroom succeed

Experience in digital-first journalism, newsletters, audience engagement, or accountability reporting is especially valuable.

Why Join Salem Reporter?

*Help shape the future of independent local journalism – we’re locally owned, not a cog in a group.

*Work with a respected and mission-driven newsroom of talented, committed journalists.

*Lead impactful reporting that serves the Salem community.

*Join a collaborative, growing team committed to public-service journalism.

To Apply

Please send a resume, a letter explaining your interest in the role and examples of editing or reporting demonstrating your work. Send to: les@salemreporter.com