Managing Editor

Arkansas Today is a nonprofit news organization founded upon the idea that every Arkansan is entitled to have their voice heard. Central to this is a focus on in-depth accountability and investigative journalism prioritizing historically under covered geographic areas that have been swept up in the ever-increasing proliferation of news deserts. By partnering with existing media organizations — ranging from national outlets to hyper-local websites — Arkansas Today seeks to elevate those voices that too often go unheard, and to address the systemic issues that have long gone unchallenged in the Natural State.

Position Summary:

Arkansas Today is seeking up to two experienced Managing Editors to help launch our new statewide newsroom. These senior newsroom managers will work closely with our Editor-in-Chief to develop and oversee an editorial strategy centered around accountability and investigative reporting in lesser-covered areas of the state. Central to this role is the practice and promotion of engaged and solutions-oriented journalism, actively involving the community in our processes and ensuring that their voices are elevated in our work.

From day one, the Managing Editor will be expected to be a key player in determining all facets of the newsroom, including but not limited to staffing decisions, newsroom workflows, editorial partnerships, and so forth. Ultimately, the Managing Editor will oversee day-to-day operations, manage teams of journalists and play a crucial role in shaping the newsroom's direction as it grows.

The ideal candidate will not only be an experienced editorial leader capable of overseeing daily newsroom workflows, but also someone who approaches the role with an innovative mindset, a willingness to pivot, and a desire to build something truly from the ground up.

Primary responsibilities of the Managing Editor at Arkansas Today include:

Editorial and Newsroom Management:

• Work closely with the Editor-in-Chief to set the vision for our new newsroom.
• Develop and manage editorial budgets that support newsroom operations and expansion, with a special focus on identifying and developing beats focused on historically under covered geographic regions and subject matter areas across Arkansas.
• Lead editorial meetings, setting the direction for coverage and ensuring alignment with Arkansas Today's mission.
• Supervise a team of reporters, working to scope investigations, develop reporting plans and set realistic timelines, while ensuring communication and alignment across newsroom locations.
• Edit and second-read daily, explanatory, and engagement-driven coverage, ranging from quick-turn accountability stories to multipart investigations.
• Coordinate editorial strategies with platform managers and advocate for a diverse range of views within our reporting.
• Implement a distribution mindset among leadership and staff, helping editors and reporters think strategically about possible publishing partners on the local and national level.
• Represent Arkansas Today in public speaking engagements, panels, and community events.
• Help oversee the hiring process for newsroom roles, from crafting job descriptions to conducting interviews, in collaboration with team editors and human resources.
• Act as a bridge between newsroom staff and senior management, policies are clearly communicated and understood.
• Embrace and implement emerging tools of engaged journalism to further the mission of Arkansas Today.
• Identify and coordinate in-house newsroom training for staff.
• Act as a point person for interns or fellows.
• Submit journalists’ stories for nomination to annual awards.

Community Engagement and Partnerships:

• Collaborate with the Audience Team to develop newsletters, resources, guides, data projects and other…