Lead Editor, Investigative Reporting & Mentorship

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

American University’s Investigative Reporting Workshop seeks an experienced, dynamic Managing Editor to lead ambitious, high-impact investigative journalism and mentor students and reporters. This senior editor will oversee daily newsroom operations, shape editorial strategy, develop partnerships with major newsrooms, and guide projects from pitch to publication, expanding the Workshop’s reach and impact.

We value a calm, collaborative, detail-oriented leader who can earn trust across staff and

Qualifications

• Experience leading editorial teams in investigative journalism.
• Ability to manage complex projects and meet deadlines.
• Mentorship and teaching skills for student and early-career journalists.

Responsibilities

• Lead Day-to-Day Editorial Operations: assign, edit, and fact-check stories; ensure ethical and legal standards; manage contractors and collaborators.
• Help conceive, assign, and edit complex investigative projects from pitch through publication.
• Recruit, hire, and mentor student and early-career journalists; pair with partner newsrooms on reporting collaborations.
• Build and manage relationships with external partners and oversee HR and budgeting discussions.

Job description

American University’s Investigative Reporting Workshop seeks an experienced, dynamic Managing Editor to lead ambitious, high-impact investigative journalism and mentor students and reporters. This senior editor will oversee daily newsroom operations, shape editorial strategy, develop partnerships with major newsrooms, and guide projects from pitch to publication, expanding the Workshop’s reach and impact.

We value a calm, collaborative, detail-oriented leader who can earn trust across staff and