Gannett

Regional Opinion Editor for Michigan – Center for Community Journalism (CCJ)

Gannett’s Center for Community Journalism is seeking an experienced Regional Opinion Editor based in Lansing, Michigan to oversee a strategic expansion of our opinion team across Michigan. The editor will help hire and oversee a new team that includes an opinion columnist and a news assistant and will work closely with a Voices Editor who helps cultivate and edit compelling, first-person essays.

We believe opinion done right – local, credible, original and at the speed of news – can serve communities throughout Michigan and deepen our relationship with readers. This means looking at the issues that matter beyond Detroit. That’s why the editor will be based in Lansing, the state’s capital.

We are looking for a leader who is passionate about opinion content and its role in today's journalism landscape. This individual will collaborate closely with Gannett’s opinion cohort — a talented team of writers and contributors producing high-quality, engaging and impactful opinion pieces for the nation’s largest network of local newspaper sites and for our flagship USA TODAY.

The role also involves extensive community outreach. We are looking for a dynamic journalist who can convene dialogue, not only through written words but also via appearances on panels and at public forums.

Gannett is a respected news company with a proud tradition of journalistic excellence. We remain dedicated to delivering thought-provoking content and informed perspectives to our ever-growing digital audience.

If you are a passionate editor with a vision for engaging digital audiences with compelling perspectives and a commitment to journalistic excellence, we invite you to apply for the position of Regional Opinion Editor for Michigan. Join us in shaping the future of opinion journalism.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to our Michigan opinion team and be knowledgeable in state and local news, public service, and government issues.
• Content Strategy: Collaborate with CCJ Midwest Group Editor and top opinion leaders throughout Gannett to develop and execute a comprehensive content strategy that aligns with the company's mission and audience engagement goals.
• Content Curation: Curate, edit and oversee the publication of opinion pieces that are thought-provoking, well-researched and aligned with our publications’ editorial voices.
• Audience Engagement: Collaborate with the Director of Audience Engagement to ensure opinion content is tailored to engage and resonate with the digital audience effectively.
• Editorial Calendar: Develop and manage an editorial calendar to plan content creation, ensuring timely and relevant coverage of key topics and events.
• Collaboration: Foster collaboration with other departments, including Audience Engagement, Marketing, and Digital Production, to maximize the reach and impact of opinion content.
• Community Engagement: Help plan and participate in community events that focus on journalism and important issues that impact our communities.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that all content published meets the highest editorial and ethical standards and adheres to copyright, plagiarism, and fact-checking policies.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in journalism, with a focus on opinion writing and editing.
• Proven experience in editorial leadership and managing a team of writers.
• Strong writing, editing, and fact-checking skills.
• Deep knowledge of current events, politics, and social issues.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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The annualized base salary for this role will range between $51,300 and $120,750. Variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, location, and union representation, if applicable.

Pay Type

Salary

Hiring Min Rate

95,000 USD

Hiring Max Rate

100,000 USD