Managing Editor, IRW

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 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. Learn more about American University

Department:

School of Communication

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence

Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

The Investigative Reporting Workshop, 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 the intersection of editorial excellence, innovation, and mentorship. We are interested in a calm, collaborative, and detail-oriented team player with the people skills to earn the trust of both students and seasoned investigative reporters.

The Managing Editor will oversee daily newsroom operations while driving major reporting projects in collaboration with leading news organizations. They will play a central role in developing the next generation of investigative journalists and expanding 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.

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

Why Join us:

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.

IRW has partnered with dozens of news organizations, among them the New York Times, Washington Post and the New Yorker, and produced and contributed to work that has won Emmys and Pulitzer Prizes.

Essential Functions:

1.) Lead Day-to-Day Editorial Operations

• Assign, edit, and fact-check stories.

• Work closely with editors and reporters at our publishing partners to ensure compliance with their standards of ethics and legal considerations.

• Oversee those on contract for reporting, editing, design, and web development.

• Approve any and all use of proprietary or subscription-based tools to do our work.

• Collaborate with the data editor to ensure accurate work across all projects and stories.

• Assure the highest standards of accuracy to all work, including that posted to social media, our newsletter, internal and external emails and memos, and any and all correspondence.

• Along with the executive editor, meet with visiting national and international journalists as needed for workshops and do informational interviews regarding nonprofit newsrooms.

• Collaborate with the executive editor and operations manager on HR and day-to-day financials, developing long-term options for growth and recruitment.

2.) Help to Conceive, Assign, and Edit Complex Investigative Projects from Pitch through Publication

• Develop ideas for stories to pitch to various previous co-publishing partners or potential new partners in investigative work, from local to national topics in line with our general guidelines of accountability reporting.

• Work with interns and graduate fellows on how to pitch, edit pitches, early drafts, and keep partner news organizations informed of our progress.

3.) Recruit, Hire, and Mentor Student and Early-career Journalists, Pairing them with Partner Newsrooms on High-level Reporting Collaborations

• Hire all interns, graduate fellows, and post-graduate fellows, including developing updated job descriptions, interviewing finalists, and working with the operations manager on onboarding.

• Interview and hire freelance reporters and editors as needed.

4.) Build and Manage Relationships with External Partners

• Interview and hire freelance reporters and editors as needed, as well as design and web development