Job Description

LA Public Press is a digital-native nonprofit newsroom based in Los Angeles County. It produces issue-based original journalism in service of a healthier and more humane Los Angeles. Its journalism is distributed through a variety of digital and non-digital publishing platforms. The publication boasts a rapidly growing audience of LA County residents, can demonstrate local journalistic impact, and is broadly competitive in Los Angeles’ evolving local news ecosystem.

Editor-in-Chief

LA Public Press seeks an Editor-in-Chief. This is a job for someone who is rooted in Los Angeles County, familiar with the region’s complexities of culture and government, and is an experienced newsroom manager.

The Editor-in-Chief will be responsible for overseeing LA Public Press’ editorial operations. This means leading the publication’s journalistic production through a team of staff and freelance reporters and editors.

Reliable output of timely, unique, and bulletproof news copy is the foundation of this newsroom’s journalistic products.

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LA Public Press aims to be an anchor digital newsroom for LA County residents. The Editor-in-Chief will play a major role in guiding the publication from its position as a promising upstart into a publication of command in Los Angeles County.

What Experience Do You Bring?

7+ years working in news, and at least three years of work as an editor in digital news, preferably in Los Angeles County.

You are an experienced newsroom manager, are familiar with journalism’s culture, and broader industry trends and challenges.

You’re an expert at setting and following an editorial calendar.

You know how to ensure journalism is legally defensible.

You have a track record of editing hard news and accountability reporting.

You’re a capable digital producer in your own right, and have deep knowledge of how to publish journalism through web, email, social media, and other platform-based digital content. This means being an expert in the CMS, a solid working knowledge of SEO, and up-to-date understanding of digital media distribution.

What Responsibilities Will The Editor-in-Chief Hold?

Manage a news budget that prioritizes day-two enterprise reporting unique in our local ecosystem, aiming for 20 original news pieces monthly from staff and freelance contributors.

You will be point-manager for staff-reporters, and will be responsible for their editing, both from yourself as well as other editorial resources.

You will ensure that the newsroom has access to reliable coaching, from yourself and other sources that aid reporter development.

Conceive, assign, and edit original journalism for distribution through LA Public Press’ publishing channels.

As needed, delegate editing responsibilities to vetted contributing and associate editors.

Work with the publication’s Audience Director and team to prioritize publishing stories resonant with existing audiences, and how to use non-traditional publishing strategies to ensure maximum reach and impact of LA Public Press’ original journalism.

Uphold and maintain internal editorial procedures and guidelines, including ethics, style, and workflow.

Job details:

LA Public Press is a primarily remote working environment, with intermittent in-person activities.

The salary range for this position is $84,000 – $105,000 annually.

100% company-covered health insurance (HMO and PPO options), a 4% retirement match, FSA and DCFSA options.

12 days paid sick leave. Three-weeks paid vacation time at onset, with guaranteed increases in subsequent years of employment. LA Public Press also observes a two-week end-of-year office close period, plus holidays.

LA Public Press is an equal-opportunity employer, and encourages people of all identity and ability characteristics to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required.

How to apply:

Submitted as email PDF attachments:

1. A cover letter that introduces yourself, emphasizes your experience as a newsroom manager, and provides a few links to published journalism where you served as the primary editor. Share how you stewarded those stories.

2. A resume.

What to expect:

This is an integral hire that will shape the editorial direction of LA Public Press. Candidates should expect a rigorous hiring process. That will include multiple interviews with LA Public Press management and staff, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate editorial chops prior to a final decision.