Executive Editor, KERA News

KERA – North Texas Public Broadcasting; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Disability & Life insurance

Hybrid work environment

401k plan

Job summary

KERA is seeking an Executive Editor to lead KERA News and the Denton Record‑Chronicle editorial teams across digital, radio, print and TV. The role includes supervising newsroom leadership, guiding coverage to meet strategic goals, and collaborating with regional and national partners.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, expertise in local news and digital operations, and a focus on audience‑centered storytelling. Exemption status and leadership responsibilities noted.

Qualifications

• Proven leader capable of guiding a newsroom and editorial teams.
• Experience in strategy development for multiple platforms.
• Strong understanding of audience‑centered reporting and digital ops.

Responsibilities

• Set editorial strategy for KERA News and Denton Record‑Chronicle.
• Recruit and coach newsroom editors and journalists.
• Oversee relationships with editorial partners locally and nationally.
• Use audience data to steer news coverage and products.
• Plan budgeting and participate in leadership team.

Skills

Editorial leadership

People management

Newsroom strategy

Audience analytics

Cross‑platform journalism

Tools

Public radio experience

Job description

Who We Are

Serving the country’s fourth‑largest media market, KERA reaches more than 5 million people monthly through KERA TV, KERA News, KXT, WRR and The Denton Record‑Chronicle as well as through national shows Think and From the Top. For more than 65 years, North Texans have turned to KERA as a destination for community engagement and lifelong learning.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR, KERA NEWS

Who We Are

Serving the country’s fourth‑largest media market, KERA reaches more than 5 million people monthly through KERA TV, KERA News, KXT, WRR and The Denton Record‑Chronicle as well as through national shows Think and From the Top. For more than 65 years, North Texans have turned to KERA as a destination for community engagement and lifelong learning.

As we seek to recognize and reflect our audience and communities, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and points of view to consider employment opportunities at KERA.

Position Summary

KERA is looking for an Executive Editor who will continue to oversee and grow KERA News as a trusted, primary source for relevant and rigorous reporting across all platforms – digital, radio, print and television. They will also oversee the Denton Record‑Chronicle's editorial team and our two daily radio shows – Think with Krys Boyd and NTX Now. The Executive Editor will supervise and coach the newsroom leadership team and manage KERA’s participation in collaborations with multiple regional and content partners, including The Texas Newsroom and Fort Worth Report.

The ideal candidate is an experienced journalist with a strong leadership background and expertise in local news and digital operations. They should be familiar with audience‑centered thinking and design. This person will work closely with station leadership to ensure coverage meets the organization’s strategic goals to grow, diversify and engage audiences.

This position is classified as FLSA exempt, is not eligible for overtime and reports to the President & CEO.

What You’ll Do

• Set overall editorial strategy and direction for KERA’s newsroom, the Denton Record‑Chronicle and our daily talk shows


• Work with HR and newsroom managers to recruit, develop and retain a strong team of journalists, while coaching editors on both journalism and people management


• Manage relationships with editorial partners at the local, statewide and national level in a manner that serves both our individual and shared audiences


• Understand audience data across platforms and use it to help focus on community needs to set overall direction of news coverage and products, from hard news to arts & culture.


• Work collaboratively with departments and teams across KERA to meet organizational strategies and goals


• Participate in meetings of the KERA news team, department heads and statewide and national partners, as well as on‑air fundraising campaigns


• Plan and supervise budgeting for the multiple departments and projects within KERA News


• Sit and participate on KERA’s leadership team – including weekly meetings and annual summits/retreats - to help connect the larger newsroom to organizational priorities and events and to help set strategy for the organization as a whole


• Attend and represent KERA at internal and external events and in the community


• Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where ideas are encouraged at all levels by modelling and training others in inclusive leadership practices


• Lead efforts to amplify a variety voices, perspectives and experiences in coverage online and on the air


• Ensure the highest level of editorial standards of accuracy, ethics, and balance are met by KERA staff and contributors

As a KERA Employee

• Work in a manner that is consistent with KERA’s mission, vision and values; and maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures


• Participate in fundraising activities as needed and assigned


• Perform additional duties as assigned

This list of job duties is not exhaustive and is subject to regular reviews and updates.

What Will Make You Successful

We believe a strong organization includes employees from a range of backgrounds, with different skills, experiences, and passions. If you don't meet every job qualification but have some of these skills and think you’re the right person for the job, we'd like to hear from you. Please apply and tell us more about yourself. Here are some qualifications and skills for this role:

• Proven leader who can demonstrate a culture of innovation, accountability, professional growth, collaboration and inclusion


• Significant experience in an editorial leadership capacity


• Strong leadership philosophy and proven ability to lead a team of a variety of backgrounds and perspectives


• Experience in project management and collaborative leadership within and between organizations, including those with differing goals and missions


• Digitally savvy with experience engaging news audiences on a range of platforms


• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines in a fast‑paced live environment, be open to new ideas, and adjust plans to meet changing needs


• Passion and enthusiasm about public radio journalism and serving a diverse North Texas audience – on the air, online, and in print


• Proven experience in developing leaders and young newsroom talent

Bonus If You Bring

• Experience with public radio


• Experience with a daily news program


• Knowledge of North Texas people, cultures, issues and geography as well as national and international issues and events


• Fluency in Spanish or other languages common in North Texas

SALARY RANGE

Salary commensurate on skills and experience, starting at $150,000 annually

Benefits

• Generous vacation (3 weeks), sick (8 days), personal time (2 days) and holidays (11)


• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance


• KERA-paid short and long-term disability, basic life insurance and AD&D insurance


• Flexible scheduling and hybrid work environment


• 401k plan with KERA-contribution after 6 months


• Robust employee assistance program available to the employee and all members of their household


• Strong company culture focused on connection, belonging and professional growth

LOCATION

We expect that this position will work out of one of our Dallas offices at least 80% of the time. (Equivalent to 32 hours per week)

Time in office requirements are subject to change based on the needs of KERA and/or the position.

Application Timeline

We generally close roles 2-4 weeks after posting. The hiring process may continue for several weeks after the closing of the role depending on the number of applicants.

KERA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

KERA believes that diversity is important to our success. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.