Deputy Managing Editor

Society of Professional Journalists; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WBUR in Boston seeks a Deputy Managing Editor to lead a dynamic newsroom, mentoring reporters and shaping politics, transportation, criminal justice and breaking news coverage across audio and digital platforms.

The role emphasizes strong editorial standards, coaching and innovation, with a focus on elevating storytelling craft and inclusive newsroom culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required, with over eight years of related work experience.
• Experience leading reporters across politics, transportation, criminal justice, immigration and breaking news.
• Proven ability to edit both digital and radio stories under tight deadlines.
• Commitment to an inclusive, collaborative newsroom culture.

Responsibilities

• Assigns, coaches and edits reporters on projects from assignment to publication.
• Edits digital and radio stories, often simultaneously, to meet high standards.
• Provides supervision and mentorship to reporters to grow journalism skills.
• Partners with editors to set daily news priorities.
• Oversees daily news budgets in coordination with senior editors.
• Occasionally steps in to assume duties of Managing Editor.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Mentorship

Audio storytelling

Editing under deadlines

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Deputy Managing Editor is a driving force in a newsroom built for today's public media landscape — leading, mentoring and elevating a team of reporters across politics, transportation, criminal justice, immigration and breaking news.

This is a role for an ambitious, collaborative editor who thrives on high standards and wants to help shape what modern public media journalism sounds and looks like. Reporting to the Managing Editor, this seasoned journalist oversees every stage of story production — from assignment to publication — across WBUR’s audio and digital platforms. The ideal candidate is a skilled audio storyteller who knows how to sharpen a script for broadcast as readily as a headline for the web, and who is genuinely energized by developing reporters' craft: building their instincts for sourcing and story development, strengthening their voices on air, and pushing their work to distinguish itself in a competitive news landscape. This person brings a coaching mindset, a drive to innovate, and a deep commitment to an inclusive, collaborative newsroom culture.

The Deputy Managing Editor leads the newsroom's election coverage and edits WBUR's weekly newsletter Mass. Politics. As the editor in charge of our breaking news rotation, they will work with every reporter in the newsroom at some point.

Essential Functions

• Assigns, coaches and edits reporters on short-, medium- and long-term projects, with a sharp focus on developing their reporting skills and audio storytelling craft.
• Edits both digital and radio stories — often simultaneously, on tight deadlines — to meet the highest standards of excellence, online and on air. Edits other stories and special projects as needed.
• Provides direct supervision and hands-on mentorship to a team of reporters, helping them grow into more versatile, skilled journalists.
• Partners closely with newsroom editors to determine daily news priorities.
• Helps oversee daily news budgets, in coordination with Managing Editors, Managing Producer, and Executive Editors of News and Digital.
• Occasionally steps in to assume the duties of Managing Editor.

Required Skills

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required, with over eight years of related work experience.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.