Summary of the Editor, Local Newsletters job at The New York Times

The New York Times launched a newsletter this summer in Minneapolis-St. Paul as a pilot for a new local journalism initiative. We are now expanding to Phoenix and Nashville, and seeking an experienced, innovative editor who is rooted in one of those three cities.  

In this role, you will be the day-to-day point person for at least two of the newsletters, which will publish at least three times each week, as well as an important part of the growing Local team. You will work closely with reporters in each city to shape the tone, structure and content of the newsletters, aiming to break news and drive conversation. You will help hosts select topics of focus and frame stories; ensure that each dispatch contains a lively and engaging mix of items, including visuals; line-edit the copy and manage production;  track progress against goals; and run experiments to maximize impact.

The Local offers a blend of essential and delightful information designed to make readers more connected to their community and more conversant around the news. The newsletters will  be a bridge connecting residents of each place to the full breadth of The Times and Games, Wirecutter, NYT Cooking and The Athletic.They will showcase high-quality independent journalism from local sources, and as editor, you will help develop working partnerships with news organizations and influencers based in each area.

The newsletters help audiences understand the forces driving change around them; introduce readers to interesting characters and places they might not know; moderate and shape discussion  on public issues; curate the best relevant content from the vast digital information ecosystem; and build relationships with their audiences through callouts, social media and in-person events. 

Candidates should be deeply rooted in the Twin Cities, Phoenix or Nashville. They must have significant experience in local journalism and be committed to it as a pillar of a functioning democracy. A proven track record of engaging audiences digitally is essential; prior work on newsletters is a plus, and love for them a requirement. We’re seeking journalists with broad interests across news, politics, business, culture, sports and other beats, as well as an understanding of audience needs and the local media ecosystem. 

The editor will work remotely from one of the three cities and report in to the newsletter team . Please submit a resume, cover letter and about six work samples of any format — for example, newsletters, videos or traditional clips — that you have edited or written.

Responsibilities:

• Edit The Local newsletter in at least two of its launch markets, including front-end story selection/shaping as well as day-to-day line-editing and production
• Work with reporters in each market and The Local team in New York to shape the tone, structure and content of the newsletter, experimenting with story formats and other tools along the way
• Help grow the newsletter’s audience and engagement through social media, events, callouts, partnerships and other tactics
• Nurture relationships with local news organizations and journalists who share The Times’ values and develop new ways to partner with them  
• Monitor the latest in how other news organizations and brands are engaging their communities and building fandom, and look for ways to leverage those ideas 
• Help develop engagement goals and track our progress against them, using data to inform our understanding of what is working and to seed innovation and experiments
• Represent The Local at community/media events and help plan/run our own
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world
• This role will report into the Deputy Editorial Director, Newsletters

Basic Qualifications:

• 8+ years’ experience working in digital journalism or storytelling, including some editing
• Demonstrated superb news judgment, audience-first thinking and coverage experience across breaking news, features, analysis and enterprise
• Experience with newsletters and social media, and a love for/commitment to both (experience in video, audio and data-journalism are a plus)
• Fluency with analytics tools to yield actionable insights
• Ability to identify and develop story ideas with both journalistic significance and audience resonance
• Track record showing initiative and landing digital media projects

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, independence and accuracy
• Collaborative spirit, willingness to experiment and a sense of humor
• Deep connections to Phoenix, Nashville or Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Omnivorous interests and a commitment to local journalism 

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-020664

Additional Compensation and Benefits:

For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.

For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.