The San Francisco Chronicle

Managing Editor of News and Content Development

The Managing Editor of News and Content Development will champion and lead the Houston Chronicle’s reporting efforts across local, business, culture, sports and breaking. 

This senior leader should be able to articulate a clear philosophy on how to drive digital journalism and have proven track record of coaching talented teams to consistently do essential, ambitious work. This isn’t a role for a traditional managing editor. This is an opportunity to boldly reimagine what local news can be to make sure the Houston Chronicle is a powerhouse of audience-focused, digital journalism into the future. 

This leader must be obsessed with digital news reporting, helping all our teams drive good work that grows subscribers, new readers, listeners, and viewers. This person owns the heart of our mission to do work that has impact in Houston, Texas and beyond. They know audience-focused, inclusive reporting that breaks news always wins the day. And they know how to train and motivate large teams of talented reporters, visual journalists and editors to do it urgently, fearlessly and aggressively. 

This person must coach with metrics and teach others in the room how to level up their digital journalism game. They must have a clear understanding of what drives consumer revenue and bring ideas to grow our audience. They should embrace a culture of collaboration, experimentation and learning to help our talented reporters and editors shine. 

This role is part of our senior leadership team and reports directly to the editor in chief. 

The Responsibilities:

• Drive good reporting. Think big and elevate our digital journalism. 
• Oversee the daily and in-depth news report across local news, business, culture, sports, breaking and more. Be able to articulate and execute a clear POV on digital reporting in many forms and for many audiences. 
• Be an expert in metrics and strategically coach editors and reporters to center audiences and think differently about their beats. 
• Works with the Managing Editor of Audience and Content Strategy to oversee the daily operations of the Houston Chronicle, creating and implementing workflows that empower journalists to do their best work.
• Develop and create processes to support our work, including beat mapping, content calendars, product roadmaps, story plans and more. 
• Embrace inclusive reporting and the diversity of Houston, developing strategies and reporting that focuses on reporting for communities not about communities. 
• Be expert in story editing, understanding that this role is about finding the right approach to each piece and knowing when to think big and take risks.
• Demonstrate collaborative, creative leadership that centers learning, good journalism and innovation. This role requires transformational leadership. 
• Administration. This person will be responsible for administrative duties, budgets and more. 

To apply:

As part of your cover letter, please explain your philosophy of digital news coverage and share specific examples where you have driven digital growth among subscribers, new readers, listeners and viewers

About the Houston Chronicle:

The Houston Chronicle serves Houston’s 2.3 million residents — as well as all of Texas — with content and marketing solutions across two of Houston’s largest websites, HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com, along with our newspaper and magazine brands. The content and innovative business solutions we provide invite readers to join conversations about communities we’ve been helping prosper for more than 120 years.

WHAT WE OFFER:

There has never been a more exciting time to join the Houston Chronicle. Our business is growing and transforming every day. Advertisers are partnering with us to help them navigate new marketing strategies in today’s increasingly complex digital environment. Simply put, the Houston Chronicle is a media company that uses its rich history and data to deliver the most impactful media campaigns for our customers. We leverage our substantial audience reach, coupled with best in class advertising solutions to keep our customer’s brand in front of the right people at the right time.

Why are we different? Our people! Our company is diverse and filled with smart, passionate people who want to make a difference in their community, regardless of the role they play in the company. We offer an upbeat and collaborative working environment and expect our people to challenge the norm.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. 

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired. 

Be a part of something bigger – your headline awaits.

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