Cohort Manager, Health Reporting

Overview

The Health Reporting Cohort Manager will join the California Local News Fellowship program and lead a cohort of health fellows producing community‑centered reporting in underserved regions. The role includes editing support, partnership management with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, and collaboration with partner newsrooms.

• Participate in the selection and matching of newsrooms and fellows, ensuring alignment with skills and impact goals.
• Partner with program staff to design and manage the fellowship experience, including structure, expectations, and overall program delivery.
• Oversee the UC Berkeley School of Public Health component, coordinating curriculum, integrating subject‑matter expertise, and supporting fellows in the academic program.
• Document training, synthesize feedback, identify gaps, and recommend enhancements to program design and delivery.
• Act as a coach, mentor, and troubleshooter to support fellows and newsroom success, addressing performance challenges, workplace dynamics, and conflicts.
• Assess fellows’ reporting abilities and develop tailored support plans, including individualized coaching, skill‑building interventions, and career coaching.
• Work with cohort managers to deliver training on writing, reporting, data use, and professional skills.
• Design and execute editorial support in coordination with newsroom editors, ensuring consistent, high‑quality editorial feedback.
• Lead editorial guidance on health reporting, ensuring accuracy, ethical standards, and effective use of data and public health expertise.
• Lead collaborative reporting across fellows and newsroom partners on statewide health issues, facilitating coordination, shared storytelling, and impact.
• Build relationships with newsroom editors and manage communication strategy to ensure alignment, responsiveness, and strong partnerships across participating organizations.
• Serve as a key liaison between fellows, newsroom partners, and program leadership, proactively addressing issues, aligning expectations, and maintaining program cohesion.

• At least five years of local news editing experience, and/or equivalent combination of skills/knowledge.
• Understanding of small newsroom dynamics.
• General understanding of California communities and their information needs.
• Experience with health, science, or data‑driven reporting.
• Experience editing text stories; multimedia experience is a plus.
• Experience mentoring early‑career journalists.
• Experience designing and leading journalism training or workshops.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship‑building and collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and program management abilities.
• Commitment to a collaborative, mission‑driven team.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Demonstrated bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Experience editing early‑career journalists and tailoring support to specific reporting needs.
• Familiarity with health disparities and the needs of underserved communities.
• Experience leading or participating in collaborative, multi‑newsroom reporting projects.
• Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

This position is a full‑time, career position. The budgeted salary range is $95,000–$125,000 annually. The position is eligible for the full range of UC benefits. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.