Enterprise Editor

The Opportunity

The Enterprise Editor at KCUR 89.3 is an experienced manager who directs reporters in the news operation’s mission to provide thoughtful and deep enterprise on topics of importance to the community. This strategic leader is audience-focused and knows how best to deliver great journalism across multiple platforms.

Reporting to the Director of Journalism, the Enterprise Editor ensures best practices are in place for high-level issue and investigative journalism, including context, sourcing, organization, fairness, accuracy and relevancy. This editor directly supervises some reporters; and sometimes creates digital and/or audio content. In other words, he/she is integral to the content team’s daily work flow.

The Enterprise Editor works with the News Director and the Storytelling Editor to envision, implement and sustain an audience-focused digital and audio strategy, helping the newsroom identify opportunities for daily and long-term storytelling and engagement across all digital channels and all newsroom products/shows. He/she tracks trends and innovation, helping newsroom staff understand how to integrate new tools and practices in ways that advance KCUR’s mission and strategic priorities.

This individual is knowledgeable about the region’s news and culture, possesses a strong aesthetic sensibility regarding user-focused digital design, follows the trends in digital journalism and social media and knows how to apply the right tools.

Characteristic Duties

⦁ Works with News Director and Storytelling Editor to create and implement overall content plan and priorities.
⦁ Assigns and edits stories, coordinating assignments and edits with other KCUR content leaders.
⦁ Ensures the smooth production and delivery of digital content across existing and new platforms; manages site infrastructure needs related to content.
⦁ Evaluates digital coverage and identifies growth needs; determines ways to develop individual staff and the digital team.
⦁ Collaborates with Audience Development team to envision, implement, evaluate and sustain new digital products; and to drive social media strategy and implementation.
⦁ Maintains an efficient approach to news gathering and reporting that produces in-depth coverage of distinction, including in breaking news situations.
⦁ Incorporates creative elements such as illustrations, video and audio in ways that keep KCUR on the cutting edge of digital journalism.
⦁ Establishes and maintains contracts and pay for digital freelance reporters, illustrators, photographers and other contractors.
⦁ Works with talk show teams to create strong digital content that creatively amplifies the on-air product.
⦁ Edits and works with reporters in the Kansas News Service, Harvest Public Media and other collaborations as needed.
⦁ Maintains and enforces KCUR and AP digital style guides.
⦁ Pursues and oversees partnerships with newspapers and digital news outlets.
⦁ Facilitates an environment for the ethical practice of journalism and enforces ethical principles.
⦁ Works as a reporter or creates digital content as needed.
⦁ Participates in the station’s community engagement efforts.
⦁ May oversee the work of interns.
⦁ Participates in assigned fund-raising and outreach activities, on air and off.
⦁ Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field required — or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; and at three years of experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Preferred Qualifications

⦁ Seven to ten years of experience producing or editing news content for digital platforms.
⦁ One year of work experience in a radio or public media organization.
⦁ Experienced in creating content for online presentation.
⦁ Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
⦁ Demonstrated excellence in news judgment and ability to generate engaging story ideas.
⦁ Knowledge and commitment to AP style.
⦁ Knowledge of Kansas City region from a news and cultural standpoint.
⦁ Ability to cover or direct breaking news as well as long-form, innovative storytelling.
⦁ Ability to oversee investigative projects, including experience with data journalism and understanding of its purpose and processes.
⦁ Ability to work accurately under tight deadlines.
⦁ Strong organizational and time management skills.
⦁ Aggressive, enthusiastic, and self-motivated approach to journalism.
⦁ Ability to multitask and work on diverse projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
⦁ Demonstrated ability to take direction and work collaboratively with various personalities.
⦁ Ability and willingness to work a varied schedule.
⦁ Enthusiasm for the role of public media in a changing journalism environment.
⦁ Experience with digital audio editing (e.g. Adobe Audition), field recording equipment, and other audio production tools.

Supervision

This position reports to the Director of Journalism.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is full-time.

When and How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on Monday, June 8, 2020. This position will remain open until filled. KCUR 89.3 is the NPR affiliate in Kansas City and is an editorially-independent community service of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Apply online: https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/

Then select Staff Positions - View Jobs. The position number is 28708.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

For more information, call the UMKC Vice Chancellor - Human Resources at 816-235-1621. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at 816-235-1323.