The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE:

The Managing Editor of The Emancipator is a member of the Howard University Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) leadership apparatus. The Managing Editor is a senior leader entrusted with ensuring the vision is aligned with the day-to-day operation and output. The Managing Editor sets the tone and approach to The Emancipator’s coverage and ensures we “stay in the conversation” with mission-focused content that is sharp, timely, relevant, fast, deftly researched and vetted, and well-reported and written. Effectively managing The Emancipator’s staff, the Managing Editor executes editorial strategy and broader editorial-related projects and brand-building efforts, leads newsroom meetings, and stays on budget, adjusting costs where needed. The Managing Editor assigns and edits stories, essays, scripts, and social posts — efforts that include conceptualization, greenlighting pitches, assigning work, writing and reporting coaching, hands-on line editing, visual direction and selection, and web production.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

This position supervises the Senior Correspondent, Video Editor, Editorial Assistant, part-time correspondents, contributors, and student interns. This role may be asked to serve as lead on projects related to helping promote The Emancipator’s editorial mission and goals.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include executives, administrators, faculty, students, and staff of the university at large. External contacts include alumni, consultants, representatives from other colleges and universities, visitors, and the general public.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Newsroom Administrative Leadership:

Collaborate with HIAS senior leadership on higher-level editorial matters and editorial vision
Work with HIAS leadership to keep expenses within budget, track expenditures, and adjust costs where needed.
Ensure the confidentiality and preservation of sensitive information.
Newsroom operational structure support, including helping develop, refine, implement, and maintain editorial workflows
Suggest and implement improvements based on newsroom operational experience.
Attendance at and leadership of newsroom meetings and events, as well as HIAS where required and as needed
Oversee and maintain contractual relationships with vendors providing editorial support services such as webpage hosting, photos, videos, Slack, and social media
Ensure creation of freelance/contributor contracts and support timely processing and payment

Editorial Leadership

Cultivate a collegial, professional, and efficient newsroom culture
Strategic editorial coverage planning and execution based on the Editor in Chief’s vision
Publishing calendar development and maintenance
Timely responses to pitches and content solicitation
Assign, edit, and publish stories, essays, scripts, visual elements, and social posts — including conceptualization, greenlighting pitches, assigning work, writing, and reporting coaching
Report and write content where/when needed

Team Leadership

Coach reporters, producers, and freelancers by offering feedback, and conducting staff performance reviews
Recruit, cultivate, and maintain a freelance and contributor talent pool

Collaboration and Communication:

Collaborate with team members and contribute to group projects.
Coordinate with other departments or external partners when necessary
Communicate collegially, clearly, and effectively, both in writing and verbally

Professional Development, Public, and Media Appearance

Collaborate with HIAS leadership on the pursuit of and attendance at professional development opportunities such as conferences, lectures, and speaking engagements
Collaborate with HIAS leadership and, where applicable, the Howard University public relations office, on brand-building efforts, media appearances, and statements

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Technical Proficiency:

Highly skilled in line editing, reporting, and writing
Proficient in CMS, news analytics tools, social media platforms, vide,o and photo databases
Skilled in navigating government, public records, and archival databases

Attention to Detail:

Sharp and highly experienced news judgment
Meticulous in handling and publishing editorial content
Diligent in ensuring accurate, timely, well-reported, vetted, and sourced news content

Organizational Skills:

Manage editorial content, administrative records, and digital files
Create and maintain efficient filing systems
Effectively manage time to meet project deadlines
Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities based on project needs

Analytical Thinking:

Solve editorial and organizational challenges
Implement newsroom best practices

Communication Skills:

Clear and effective written and verbal communication
Provide instructions and feedback to students or junior staff
Document procedures and create instructional materials

Collaborative Skills:

Work well within a team and contribute to group projects
Ability to “manage up” with higher-level leadership

Adaptability:

Flexibly adapt to new technologies and methods.
Continuously learn and seek professional development
Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities as needed

Project Management:

Oversee content from inception to completion
Manage budgets and resources
Track progress and report on outcomes

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
Education: Master’s Degree or higher
Minimum 10 years of higher-level newsroom leadership experience (division editor/supervising producer, managing editor or higher)
Demonstrated leadership of race and justice editorial content
Demonstrated ability to lead teams of varied sizes–including freelancers/contributors
Demonstrated nonprofit newsroom leadership
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience directly leading and producing exclusive scoops of federal politics and policy coverage, in-depth and investigative work, and cultural analysis
Demonstrated leadership of newsroom events such as election nights, breaking news special reports, and newsroom-wide projects
An academic or professional background in Black, African diasporic, or related studies
Demonstrated experience producing journalism within university settings
Knowledge of digital publishing protocols and analytics
Experience with CMS and digital editing software
Strong attention to detail and organizational accuracy with recordkeeping
Troubleshooting and problem-solving expertise
Demonstrated initiative to work self-directed, yet with a collaborative style
Demonstrated ability to train and supervise staff, freelancers, and students
Strong verbal and written communication skills

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

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Managing Editor, The Emancipator