Senior Editor, Politics (AJC)

Cox; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

An established media organization in Atlanta is seeking a Senior Editor for Politics to lead a dynamic team of journalists. This role is pivotal in shaping political coverage across various platforms, ensuring accuracy and engagement. The ideal candidate will have a profound understanding of political systems, excellent news judgment, and a collaborative spirit. With a focus on audience growth and innovative storytelling, this position offers a unique opportunity to influence journalism in the South. If you're ready to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment, this role is for you.

Benefits

Flexible vacation policy

Paid holidays

Paid wellness hours

Bereavement leave

Parental leave

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional journalism experience or equivalent.
• Expert knowledge of editorial organization operations.
• Ability to interpret metrics for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Assign and edit stories from journalists in Georgia and D.C.
• Collaborate with teams for high-impact political coverage.
• Monitor key digital metrics to drive growth and engagement.

Skills

Excellent news judgment

Understanding of political systems and policy

Ability to connect news to readers' lives

SEO best practices

Collaboration across teams

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

At The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), our mission is to be the most essential and engaging source of news for the people of Atlanta, Georgia and the South. As we transition from a historic daily newspaper to a dynamic modern media company, we are seeking a talented Senior Editor, Politics to join our team. The AJC believes that when you cover the South, you uncover the nation. It's a belief that's produced award-winning journalism, elevated our community, and captured the substance and soul of our hometown.

If you're ready to make headlines with your talent and drive, we want you on our team. Apply now and be a part of the next chapter in the AJC's transformation.

We're looking for a Senior Editor, Politics who will play a critical leadership role in one of the AJC's most visible and impactful coverage areas. This editor will guide a team of experienced journalists covering Georgia politics at both the state and federal levels. You will help shape our political coverage across platforms - web, mobile, audio, newsletters, social media, live events, and more - with an eye toward increasing relevance, accessibility and reach.

This is a hands-on editing role that requires excellent news judgment, a deep understanding of political systems and policy, and the ability to connect breaking news, enterprise, and investigative work to our readers' lives. You'll be expected to elevate story framing and ensure our coverage is accurate, timely, fair, and engaging to a broad and diverse audience.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, who can balance long-term planning with day-to-day execution, and who is excited to help lead the transformation of our newsroom into a modern, audience-first media organization.

Please note, this role is based in Atlanta, GA.

Key Responsibilities

• Assign and edit stories from journalists based in Georgia and Washington, D.C.

• Work closely with the AJC Politics team, including the Deputy Politics Editor, to frame stories and identify new angles.

• Leverage headlines and SEO best practices to expand the reach of our journalism and appeal to different audiences.

• Collaborate with teams across the newsroom to deliver distinctive, high-impact coverage of the Legislature, governor, state agencies, and statewide politics, emphasizing how policies affect people.

• Partner with the newsroom leaders and other teams to balance reporters' time spent on podcasts, live events, TV appearances, social platforms, and other initiatives-all aligned with the AJC's audience growth strategy.

• Build and maintain a culture of trust, partnership, and diplomacy within and beyond the Politics team.

• Monitor and act on key digital metrics to drive growth and engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree and at least 8+ years of professional journalism experience, or Master's degree with 6+ years, or PhD with 3+ years, or at least 12 years of relevant experience without a degree.

• Expert knowledge of how an editorial organization operates

• Demonstrated ability to work with and interpret metrics to guide decisions

• A growth mindset, with the ability to guide teams in agile best practices

• Highly flexible, collaborative, and able to work effectively across multiple teams

The responsibilities above describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. We look forward to your application and the opportunity to grow our impactful journalism team together!

USD 90,100.00 - 150,100.00 per year

Compensation:

Compensation includes a base salary of $90,100.00 - $150,100.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Benefits:

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.