Editor, Visuals - MPR News

Position Summary

The Editor, Visuals will be a leader and champion of visual storytelling across MPR News, shaping how journalism is conceived, presented, and experienced on every channel (platform). This role carries dual responsibility: driving strong visual editorial judgment throughout the newsroom and helping improve the production systems and workflows that bring that journalism to life.

The Editor, Visuals will be a leader and champion of visual storytelling across MPR News, shaping how journalism is conceived, presented, and experienced on every channel (platform). This role carries dual responsibility: driving strong visual editorial judgment throughout the newsroom and helping improve the production systems and workflows that bring that journalism to life.

At the core of this position is a commitment to elevating visual thinking from the very beginning of the editorial process. The editor will be a key voice in story planning conversations — helping reporters, producers, and editors identify visual opportunities before assignments develop and ensuring that the strongest visual approach is considered alongside the story itself. This includes guiding decisions around lead images, visual narratives and innovative video storytelling in shaping how stories are presented and building a newsroom culture where visual judgment is valued at every level.

In fast-moving news situations, this editor will help teams make strong visual decisions quickly — prioritizing coverage, allocating resources effectively, and identifying where visual storytelling can have the greatest impact for our audience. Timely visual feedback and editorial clarity are essential to this work.

The editor brings expert experience with the tools and technology of visual news gathering and news production, with priority on audio and video. Working in close partnership with Operations/Production, the editor reviews and implements production tools and technology systems, ensuring all team members have the foundational support they need to create compelling, engaging content. The editor develops detailed plans to reach concrete goals and works hands‑on to realize them: directing work and coordinating visual staff and freelancers, and training staff on audio, visual (still and video), digital production, and CMS.

In addition to leadership and team building responsibilities, the editor will produce and edit exceptional daily visual news, features, explainers, evergreen content, and long‑term projects — modeling the visual standards and storytelling strategy they champion across the newsroom.

The ability to collaborate effectively with news leaders, reporters, and cross‑departmental teams is essential. In a multichannel environment where visuals shape audience engagement and first impressions, this editor helps ensure that MPR News content informs, includes, and inspires Minnesota audiences across the state.

This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between MPR and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG‑AFTRA”).

$39.42 - $47.30 per hour. The exact salary rate is determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, and internal equity.

Hybrid, St. Paul, MN

• Guide and edit audio/visual news content, cultivating superior performance in a digital‑first newsroom environment across all platforms
• Lead, train and assign the MPR News visual team, as well as managing and assigning contract/freelance journalists
• Demonstrate expertise in all technology, tools and processes necessary to produce superior audio/visual news content on all platforms, including but not limited to radio, websites, emails, social media, podcasts, and other evolving products. Train and support news staff in these tools and workflow for meeting and exceeding digital transformation goals and content performance
• In collaboration with Operations/Production, manage and assign newsroom visual and digital equipment, including but not limited to audio field gear, cameras and kits for news gathering and content…