Deputy Editor in Chief, Chalkbeat

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Full Time Remote

12 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Location:

Remote

Reports to:

Editor in Chief, Chalkbeat

Type:
Full-time

Salary Range: $130,000 - $145,000 per year, depending on location and experience

We were founded to address one of the most consequential market failures of our time: the collapse of local news. Since 2008, nearly two-thirds of U.S. newsroom jobs have disappeared, leaving communities without trusted reporting on education, elections, and public health. Our mission is simple and urgent: to help people understand how America works so they can make it work better.

Through Chalkbeat (education), Votebeat (elections), and Healthbeat (public health), we operate a national network of local news bureaus that combine deep local expertise with centralized national infrastructure.

Civic News is seeking a Deputy Editor in Chief to support our journalists and boost our newsroom leadership capacity. In this newly created role, Chalkbeat's Deputy will partner with the Editor in Chief to set and execute the editorial vision for the newsroom. In addition, they will oversee several reporting teams and collaborate with the Managing Editors and Bureau Chiefs to extend a clear vision forward.

The role will blend day-to-day journalism guidance with big-picture strategic thinking for key newsroom projects.

As Chalkbeat enters its next phase of growth, our most important metric will remain impact
-so a successful candidate will have experience in developing must-read stories that reach wide audiences and drive discussion and change. They will also be an experienced and inspiring newsroom leader with a strong track record of project planning, change management, and experimentation.

The key responsibilities for this role include:

Working with the Editor in Chief to set the vision as Chalkbeat enters a new phase of growth and ensure it's being carried out.

Overseeing several of our current local bureaus and reporting teams, with a focus on ensuring that Chalkbeat coverage drives impact in the form of informed decision-making and debate.

Coaching leaders on setting and achieving goals, monitoring progress, and supporting their team members’ professional growth.

Supporting the implementation of Civic News Academy.

Working on high-priority initiatives, including but not limited to impact tracking improvements, further development of a newsroom AI strategy, and future geographic expansion.

Collaborating closely with our growth and community team to expand our loyal audience.

Ensuring enterprise projects are deeply compelling and well executed.

Serving as a newsroom leader, representing organizational priorities to local teams and vice versa.

What background and skills do you have? (We know not all strong candidates will have all the skills we list. That's OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!):
The person we seek:

10+ years of work experience, including leadership experience.

Experience reporting and editing breaking news, daily, and enterprise stories.

A track record of leading effective teams with inspiration, high standards, and accountability, including experience coaching employees at different experience levels.

A track record of managing complex projects, from initial vision to developing the processes that make them sustainable.

Experience developing editorial strategy and building an audience.

A deep knowledge of America's education story paired with curiosity about its future.

We work as one team. Rebuilding local news requires collaboration. We actively nurture a harmonious environment of dignity, respect, and professionalism. We assume good intent, support one another’s growth, and have a team-oriented approach to solving problems together.

We pursue truth with intellectual honesty. Our work demands rigor. We seek facts, challenge assumptions, and engage thoughtfully with perspectives different from our own. We follow the evidence wherever it leads.

We practice inclusive journalism. Strong civic life depends on representation and trust. We commit to antiracism, equity, and inclusive practices. We build meaningful relationships with the communities we serve and reflect their realities in our reporting.

We earn trust every day. We…