Managing Editor - 90.5 WESA

Managing Editor: 90.5 WESA – Pittsburgh’s NPR News Station

STATUS: Full-time, exempt

REPORTS TO: Executive Editor

About Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting

We are an independent, locally owned, community-supported public media organization.  PCBC is home to Pittsburgh’s NPR News station, 90.5 WESA, and 91.3 WYEP, along with their related websites and digital services, all of which serve Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities of western Pennsylvania.  The mission of PCBC is to create and distribute trusted content, build connections and strengthen our community through public media.

90.5 WESA is the largest and most listened-to radio news and information service in Pittsburgh.  In addition to broadcast programming, we engage the community through our online and mobile services and in-person events, and have a prominent voice in Pittsburgh’s civic and cultural affairs.  Honored with dozens of national and regional awards, our journalism plays a critical role in the 21^st Century rebirth of one of America’s great cities.

Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.  Employee development is critical to the missions of Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting and its stations, so we invest resources in providing development opportunities for all employees.

We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental and vision benefits, a 403(b) plan with generous matching contributions, paid vacation and holidays, maternity and new parent leave, and a workplace that is fun, diverse and innovative.

The Position

The Managing Editor is responsible for daily direction of the Newsroom in multiplatform coverage of local and national news, working collaboratively with the Executive Editor, other Newsroom leadership and the entire staff.  This position supervises a team of talented reporters and editors in daily news coverage and production, has responsibility for maintaining a coverage calendar and for advance planning of the daily news agenda, and oversees major event and special coverage projects.  Working closely with the Executive Editor, the Managing Editor helps develop newsroom policies and maintain editorial standards for news content.

The Managing Editor is a partner with the Executive Editor in developing and implementing a journalistic strategy for the organization that ensures our service connects with audiences and provides comprehensive coverage of issues and events in their communities.

Essential Functions

The successful Managing Editor will:

• In partnership with the Executive Editor, develop a vision for multiplatform journalism and a strategy for implementation and execution.
• Plan, organize and execute an agenda of daily news coverage.
• Assign and/or approve assignments for journalists.
• Edit news content.
• Maintain excellence in coverage, enforce deadlines and always push for the best possible stories.
• Collaborate with the Executive Editor to hire, train and supervise a staff of professional reporters, editors and interns, working with them to create and meet professional growth goals. 
• Ensure stories are considered through diverse perspectives, ensuring that they are inclusive and equitable.
• Develop and lead collaborations with other news organizations on projects and partnerships.
• Be a key participant in supporting station branding, marketing, promotions and fundraising activities.
• Maintain the policies and standards of WESA and Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess strong and proven skill in leadership and management.
• Ability to exercise sound news judgment and generate factual, error-free journalism on deadline.
• Ability to think strategically, set goals and use metrics to track progress towards meeting those goals.
• Proficiency with editing, studio production and automation software.
• Capable of leading journalism on multiple platforms using audio, video, digital and photography.
• Possess excellent decision-making skills, with the ability to stay calm under pressure and handle non-routine situations with command and ease.
• Possess exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and to establish effective timelines for accomplishing short and long-range goals.
• Possess exceptional communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Possess the ability to work independently and collaboratively, in a team environment.
• Maintains a high level of personal responsibility, strives to achieve the best results and assumes ownership and accountability for their own work.
• Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of FCC regulations.
• Able to serve as an ambassador, role model and a strategic leader for Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting.

.Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least five years of progressive responsibility in management and leadership in a newsroom.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends and long shifts, as required during peak news cycles or breaking news events.
• Honesty and integrity in all dealings.
• Enthusiasm for the missions of PCBC and its stations.

 Work Environment

Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting places a high priority on employee safety and well-being; given the current COVID-19 pandemic, access to the Community Broadcast Center is restricted and most operations are remote. It is anticipated that we will return to primary operations at the Broadcast Center by the Fall of 2021.

This position routinely requires use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and printers in addition to professional audio capture and production devices.  This position requires travel to various areas of western Pennsylvania.  Office hours are flexible but typically are Monday -Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., however, evenings and weekend work will be required.

To Apply

Please visit the recruitment site here.  All applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and three references. In your application, please let us know how you heard about the position.

This position is available immediately, and the search for candidates may be terminated without notice.  No phone calls, please.