Managing Editor, IRW

American University; United States; Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

American University’s Investigative Reporting Workshop seeks a Managing Editor to lead ambitious, high-impact investigative journalism and shape the field. This senior role requires editorial excellence, mentorship, and innovation in collaboration with partner newsrooms in Washington, DC.

The Managing Editor will oversee daily newsroom operations, guide major reporting projects, build partnerships, and expand the Workshop’s reach and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 5–8 years of relevant investigative or enterprise journalism experience.
• Proven leadership in managing editors, reporters, and cross-functional teams on complex, deadline-driven projects.
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to elevate ambitious reporting.
• Experience working collaboratively across organizations or in partnership-driven journalism.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing emerging journalists.
• Fluency in digital storytelling, newsroom tools, and evolving industry practices.
• A calm, collaborative, and detail-oriented team player with people skills to earn trust of both students and seasoned reporters.
• Exceptional candidates with skills not precisely matching may apply.

Responsibilities

• Lead Day-to-Day Editorial Operations — Assign, edit, and fact-check stories; collaborate with editors and reporters at publishing partners to ensure ethics and legal standards; oversee contractors for reporting, editing, design, and web development; approve use of proprietary or subscription-based tools; collaborate with the data editor to ensure accuracy across projects and all channels; ensure high standards of accuracy on social media, newsletters, emails, memos, and all correspondence; meet with visiting journalists for workshops and informational interviews regarding nonprofit newsrooms; collaborate on HR and day-to-day financials with the executive editor and operations manager.

Skills

Leadership

Editorial judgment

Mentoring

Collaboration

Detail oriented

Integrity

Audience service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Overview

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.

The Investigative Reporting Workshop (IRW), a nonprofit news organization based at American University, seeks an experienced, dynamic Managing Editor to lead the production of ambitious, high-impact investigative journalism and help shape the future of the field. This is a senior leadership role for an editor who thrives in editorial excellence, innovation, and mentorship. The Managing Editor will oversee daily newsroom operations while driving major reporting projects in collaboration with leading news organizations, develop the next generation of investigative journalists, and expand the Workshop’s reach, partnerships, and impact.

This is a rare opportunity to shape consequential journalism while investing in the future of the profession. The Managing Editor will help define editorial strategy, expand the reach of investigative reporting, and ensure that vital, accountability-driven stories are produced and seen.

Note: Exceptional candidates with important skills that do not precisely match the above description are welcome to apply and tell us about themselves.

Essential Functions

1. Lead Day-to-Day Editorial Operations — Assign, edit, and fact-check stories; collaborate with editors and reporters at publishing partners to ensure ethics and legal standards; oversee contractors for reporting, editing, design, and web development; approve use of proprietary or subscription-based tools; collaborate with the data editor to ensure accuracy across projects and all channels; ensure high standards of accuracy on social media, newsletters, emails, memos, and all correspondence; meet with visiting journalists for workshops and informational interviews regarding nonprofit newsrooms; collaborate on HR and day-to-day financials with the executive editor and operations manager.
2. Conceive, Assign, and Edit Complex Investigative Projects — Develop ideas for stories to pitch to current or potential partners, aligning with accountability reporting guidelines; work with interns and graduate fellows on pitching, editing pitches, early drafts, and keeping partners informed of progress.
3. Recruit, Hire, and Mentor Student and Early-career Journalists — Pair interns and fellows with partner newsrooms on high-level reporting collaborations; hire interns, graduate fellows, and post-graduate fellows; develop updated job descriptions; interview finalists; onboard with the operations manager; interview and hire freelance reporters and editors as needed.
4. Build and Manage Relationships with External Partners — Interview and hire freelance reporters/editors and design/web development contractors; maintain relationships with external newsrooms; develop new outlets and memoranda of understanding for partnerships; create contracts for design, photography, web development, and related fields with the operations manager.
5. Oversee Editorial Budgets, Timelines, and Production Workflows — Develop tracking for multiple projects with varying timelines and due dates; ensure availability of visual assets for IRW and publishing partners.
6. Ensure Alignment Between Editorial Output and Organizational Mission — Update ethical guidelines regarding new technologies; review quarterly stories and partnerships to decide continuation or termination of partnerships.

Competencies

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information
• Prioritizing and Organizing
• Displaying Creativity
• Supporting Coworkers
• Acting Ethically and with Integrity
• Serving Customers
• Supporting a Diverse and Inclusive Community

Position Type / Hours

Full-time, 35 hours per week. This position is in person and eligible for Hybrid 1 schedule (on-campus 3–4 days per week). Location: Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University School of Communication (SOC), Washington, DC. Continuation contingent on external funding.

Salary

$78,000.00 – $90,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 5–8 years of relevant experience
• Substantial experience in investigative or enterprise journalism with a track record of impactful, high-quality work
• Proven leadership in managing editors, reporters, and cross-functional teams on complex, deadline-driven projects
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to elevate ambitious reporting
• Experience working collaboratively across organizations or in partnership-driven journalism
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing emerging journalists
• Fluency in digital storytelling, newsroom tools, and evolving industry practices
• A calm, collaborative, and detail-oriented team player with people skills to earn trust of both students and seasoned reporters
• Exceptional candidates with skills not precisely matching may apply

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent
• Previous work at a nonprofit newsroom is a plus

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter, and links to at least three recent stories produced or edited
• On-campus work required during the first month

Other Details

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. Employment is contingent on a background check. E-Verify employer.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Details are available on the university website.

Equal Opportunity

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that does not discriminate in its programs and activities. For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources.