Lead Editor: Investigative & Community Journalism

Lookout Local; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, optical benefits

401(k) with matching

Stock options

Impact on local journalism

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Lookout Local Santa Cruz is seeking a Managing Editor to lead editorial excellence across Santa Cruz County, guiding reporters across multiple beats in a fast-paced, digital-first newsroom.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years in journalism, strong editing skills, and a track record of building strong teams. You will set agendas, edit with rigor, mentor reporters, and shape reporting that engages the community with clear, accountable storytelling.

Qualifications

• At least 7+ years of journalism experience, including 3+ years in a significant editing or newsroom leadership role.
• Proven track record of elevating reporters across multiple beats.
• Experience managing reporters and developing talent.
• Fluency in digital-first journalism and content management systems.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Executive Editor to set the daily and long-term editorial agenda.
• Lead and manage a team of reporters across beats.
• Edit stories with rigor and precision.
• Coach reporters to elevate reporting and ambition.
• Foster accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement across the newsroom.
• Drive enterprise, investigative, and beat reporting pipelines.
• Ensure daily coverage is urgent, relevant, and aligned with audience needs.

Skills

Journalism

Editing

Leadership

Newsroom management

Digital-first

Mentoring reporters

Team management

Newspack

Tools

Newspack

Job description

Lookout Local Santa Cruz is seeking a Managing Editor to lead editorial excellence across Santa Cruz County, guiding reporters across multiple beats in a fast-paced, digital-first newsroom.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years in journalism, strong editing skills, and a track record of building strong teams. You will set agendas, edit with rigor, mentor reporters, and shape reporting that engages the community with clear, accountable storytelling.