Crikey Editor

Private Media; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Crikey, Australia’s independent publication, seeks an editorial leader to shape its distinctive voice and approach. You will work hands-on in a fast-paced environment, guiding journalism that informs and engages Crikey's curious readers while aligning with the brand’s strategy.

You will collaborate with journalists, editors and commercial teams to maximize subscription growth, balancing daily deadlines with strategic planning in a hybrid Melbourne or Sydney role.

Qualifications

• Strong news sense and interest in politics, media, policy and current affairs.
• Exceptional editing and writing skills with familiarity with media law.
• Proven leadership abilities and mentoring experience across stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Editorial leadership: mentor reporters, shape story ideas and standards.
• Readership growth: devise innovative editorial approaches to reach new audiences.
• Brand: collaborate with Digital to tell the Crikey brand story.
• Production: manage daily publishing, headlines, social copy and multimedia.
• Innovation: deliver new products across channels with commercial teams.
• Legal oversight: scan for risks and liaise with lawyers when needed.
• Team management: coaching, performance reviews, and resourcing.
• Leadership: part of Private Media senior team and budget ownership.
• Research & networking: stay ahead of industry trends and sources.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Strategic thinking

Leadership abilities

News sense

Collaboration

Wordpress

SEO

Data analytics

Tools

Wordpress

SEO

Data analytics

Job description

Crikey is looking for an editorial leader who has the practical skills, mindset and resourcefulness to help us shape Crikey into an even more distinctive and surprising publication at a time when we believe that has never been more important. We’re after someone who isn’t necessarily wedded to conventional or traditional means - a pragmatic, agile editorial innovator who relishes a creative challenge.

This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced editorial environment and loves bringing great journalism to our curious readers. If you would like to join Australia's foremost independent media outlet and help shape the next chapter of Crikey, then this is for you.

About Crikey

Crikey is smart, fearless and committed to holding power to account. In an era of disinformation and shrinking media diversity, we aim to deliver the stories and insights that shape Australia. Crikey is part of Private Media, the publisher also of The Mandarin, SmartCompany, Startup Daily, Flying Solo, Business Builders and Your Money & Your Life.

We're a proudly independent publication that believes unreservedly in a free press. We hold ourselves to high standards because our readers deserve our best, and we don't rush to easy conclusions. We go deep on hard topics, challenge assumptions and debate ideas honestly. It's a collaborative, flexible place where people are encouraged to think deeply, back their ideas and take real ownership of their work.

The opportunity

Reporting to the CEO, you’ll be the strategic, managerial and editorial lead for Crikey. This involves working closely with journalists, editors and audience specialists to make sure everything we publish is accurate, engaging and compelling for Crikey's readers, and in keeping with the brand’s strategy. You will also work closely with commercial management to make sure we are doing all we can to maximise the sustainable impact of Crikey, which is primarily measured in terms of subscription growth.

The scope includes:

• Editorial leadership: Mentor reporters, shape story ideas, and ensure the highest journalistic standards.
• Readership growth: Build and drive innovative editorial approaches to deliver on our mission and introduce new audiences to Crikey
• Brand: Collaborate with the Digital team on audience campaigns and tactics, as they find new ways to tell the Crikey brand story.
• Production: Lead the daily publishing process - finalising stories, headlines, social copy and multimedia content.
• Innovation: Leverage proven experience to build and deliver innovative new products across multiple channels and formats in collaboration with commercial and delivery teams.
• Legal oversight: Scan for potential risks and liaise with lawyers when necessary.
• Team management Provide on-the-job coaching and development, conduct Juniversary reviews, and coordinate resourcing (leave backfill and recruitment)
• Leadership: Be part of the senior leadership team of Private Media, contribute to group strategy and decisions, and take ownership of editorial budgets
• Research & networking: Stay ahead of industry trends, build relationships, and maintain a strong network of sources.

This is a full-time hybrid role based in Melbourne or Sydney, with at least two days a week in the office.

About you

You're someone who takes pride in doing great work, enjoys collaborating with others and believes in the value of independent journalism.

You bring:

• A strong news sense and a deep interest in Australian politics, media, policy, and current affairs.
• Exceptional editing and writing skills, with a solid understanding of media law and defamation risks.
• Proven leadership abilities, with a talent for mentoring teams and experience collaborating with stakeholders across marketing, creative, data, finance and technology.
• Digital expertise, including familiarity with Wordpress, SEO, and data analytics.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to balance daily deadlines with big-picture planning.
• A wide-ranging network of sources and an appetite for staying informed.

Just as importantly, you'll bring curiosity, sound judgement and initiative, someone who asks questions, gets into the details and looks for better ways to get things done.

Flexibility and inclusion

While this role is advertised as full-time, we're happy to be flexible for the right person and believe part-timers should always be given a go. We have a proud history of publishing new writers and voices outside the mainstream, and we strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates, including people from multicultural backgrounds, LGBTQI+ people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people over 45. We want the best talent at Private Media, regardless of age, gender, religion, race, sexuality, education or physical ability.