Local News Editor

Agupdate; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Des Moines Register seeks a dynamic Local News Editor to lead the community newsroom in Des Moines. The role focuses on city hall, suburban and safety coverage, mentoring reporters and driving investigative work.

The editor will use metrics to guide coverage, embrace digital tools, and experiment with new formats to grow audience and subscriptions while collaborating with editors on statewide stories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or equivalent.
• 5 years in journalism editing or management.
• Strong editorial judgment and planning skills.
• Knowledge of metrics, social media and SEO.
• Ability to multi-task under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the community news staff and cover Des Moines area including city hall and safety.
• Mentor reporters and develop investigative reporting.
• Use metrics and audience research to guide coverage and grow digital subscriptions.
• Collaborate with editors to plan local and statewide news.
• Serve as an ambassador to the community on the Register's behalf.
• Experiment with innovative storytelling and multimedia formats.

Skills

News editing

Team leadership

Mentoring reporters

Digital storytelling

Analytics / metrics

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in communications or journalism

Job description

The Des Moines Register /desmoinesregister.com , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks a dynamic, results-driven Local News Editor to lead the communities news staff in producing impactful work that will make a difference for readers.

This editor will lead a team of reporters covering the Des Moines community, including city hall, suburban, neighborhood and public safety news, helping reporters break exclusive news, cultivate deep sourcing and develop explanatory and investigative reports. It requires a mentor who can help reporters improve their newsgathering and writing skills and take on ever‑more sophisticated work.

The editor will use metrics and audience research to guide decisions about covering topics and issues that will drive digital audience growth. A successful candidate will embrace the latest developments in video, digital technology, social media and AI and will experiment with innovative approaches to draw in new audiences.

The job requires a problem solver who is well‑organized, can work independently and exercise solid news judgment.

They will report to the Des Moines Register's executive and will collaborate with other editors to plan and execute local and statewide news and information.

The Des Moines Register is a 17‑time Pulitzer Prize winner that is recognized nationally for the quality of reporting. The Register offers an opportunity to build a career path in Iowa or to gain the foundation to move on to top metros across the country.

Responsibilities:

Help the staff hone skills in a wide range of storytelling: from real time digital updates to narrative storytelling to investigative reporting, employing alternative story forms and multimedia.

Use metrics and analytics to determine how to best reach and grow the audience.

Increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.

Be a teacher, not just an editor.

After all, everyone needs a coach.

Be courageous about experimentation.

Be a team player who likes to collaborate with coworkers.

Serve as an ambassador to the community on the Register's behalf.

Apply innovative, creative thinking to support the company's goals.

Requirements:

Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

5 years of experience in journalism writing, editing or management roles and demonstration of strong editing skills.

Solid news judgment.

Top-notch planning, organizational and time management skills.

Understanding of metrics, social-media and SEO.

Self-motivation and self-direction.

Ability to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.