Senior Editor

Job Description

KUOW has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Editor to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Content Officer, the Senior Editor will oversee a team of journalists/podcast producers to deliver three multi-part, immersive, investigative narrative podcast series per year. Responsibilities will also include researching, conceiving, developing, structuring, writing, and editing podcasts in alignment with KUOW’s mission, as well as managing additional KUOW podcasts as determined by the CCO. A successful Senior Editor will thrive in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment, have outstanding communication and people management skills, be able to make quick, strategic decisions that balance immediate, short, and long-term priorities, manage their time effectively, and a bring a strong journalism background and expert storytelling and writing skills to the team. Senior Editors are curious, have courage, value diversity of viewpoints and experiences, act in service, demand integrity, always grow, and know how to earn trust and collaborate well.

The position must be performed on-site at least three days per week at the KUOW studios.

Key Responsibilities

• Editorial – 50%
  • Conceive and develop multi-part investigative narrative podcast series that reflect KUOW’s editorial priorities.
  • Develop stories that are truthful, reach diverse audiences, and rely on multiple perspectives and sources.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current events and be able to assign, reassign, support, and manage story development responsibilities accordingly.
  • Edit research, scripts, field and interview audio, and recorded audio scripts based on editorial guidelines and technical standards.
  • Provide editorial guidance to journalists/podcast producers.
  • Work as an editor on additional KUOW podcasts, as assigned.
  • Help advance the strategic scope of KUOW editorial coverage in collaboration with the CCO, News Director, and Director of New Content.
• People Management – 40%
  • Mentor a team of journalist/podcast producers, with a critical focus on developing and retaining a highly skilled team.
  • Cultivate a team culture of high motivation, collaboration, creativity, engagement, positivity, work-life balance, and mission-focus in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Lead with outstanding communication skills, including change conversations, conflict management, and ability to resolve personnel issues as they arise.
  • Lead regular meetings and check-ins with team to pitch and identify stories, discuss progress on reporting and production, track trends, and review editing. Must actively collaborate with staff both as a leader and peer.
  • Support journalist/producers to troubleshoot emergent challenges.
  • Advise the Chief Content Officer regarding staff evaluations and strategic planning.
• Strategy – 10%
  • Stay current with changing trends in podcasting, including content and delivery.
  • Innovate ways to deliver content on all KUOW platforms.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of professional broadcast journalism and podcast management and production experience at a large market level.
• Knowledge of full cycle investigative reporting and journalistic best practices, ethics, and current tools of the trade.
• Advance script writing, script editing, audio production, and storytelling skills.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with production apps such as Descript and Adobe Audition.
• Familiarity with the communities, dynamics, and current issues in and around Seattle, the Puget Sound Region, Washington State, and the Pacific Northwest.
• A deep commitment to the mission of KUOW and public radio journalism.

Working Conditions

• Work must be performed on-site at the KUOW studios a minimum of three days a week.
• Projects will require strict deadlines which may cause a stressful environment at times.

About the Team

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts and events in service to the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public with a vision to broaden conversations and deepen understanding.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$110,400.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$120,384.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.