Managing Editor Jobs

The Elgin Courier seeks a full-time managing editor to cover a wide variety of news by writing stories, overseeing freelance writers and columnists, spearheading special sections, providing content for social media and assisting the area editor to develop, maintain and enhance a quality news product across multiple platforms for our community. We are an award-winning community newspaper located in Elgin, Texas, not far from Austin. Founded in 1890, the Elgin Courier is one of the oldest continually published newspapers in the region and is located just minutes from the cultural amenities of the state capital and the University of Texas, but is still just far enough away to have that relaxed, small-town vibe. Elgin and Bastrop County are close to high-growth regions that boast an emerging tech sector including the nearby Tesla Gigafactory Texas and a new Samsung Electronics Corp. semiconductor foundry just up the road in Taylor. Elgin also has an Austin Community College campus and is located not far from Austin Bergstrom International Airport with worldwide direct flights, the Colorado River and nature areas filled with waterways, state parks, camping and beautiful pine trees known as the “lost pines.” The Elgin Courier publishes each week, coupled with online and social-media components. A weekly supplement, The Bastrop County Insider, is delivered with the Elgin Courier to select markets and covers news, sports and events across the wider county. The Elgin Courier is owned by Granite Media Partners Inc.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified candidates should have writing experience and a general knowledge of news coverage for government, crime and courts, education, features, sports, politics, transportation, business and commerce; be able to manage freelancers and columnists; possess social-media skills; and be proficient at proofing.

• Strong writing, verbal and reporting skills, and excellent news judgment

• Dedicated to unbiased, accurate and ethical journalism

• Strong fluency in AP Style

• Cover city and county news

• Write up to 10 stories a week, handle opinion columns and/or write one, be proficient with taking high-quality photos, know how to use a camera, knowledge of major social-media platforms and video, adapt to changing situations and possess the ability to cover breaking news; act as the liaison with the community by making goodwill appearances at social functions and civic gatherings, such as the Chamber of Commerce; and work closely with the area editor to ensure quality news production across all platforms

• Have a car and required inspection, auto insurance

• Flexibility, including being able to work some weekends and nights as needed

• Public-speaking skills and a professional manner at all times

— Full benefits include health insurance and paid vacation/sick time; mileage reimbursement

— Full time

— Competitive salary

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Be a self-starter by developing your own stories and covering them; take photographs as assigned; generate story ideas and photography assignments for freelancers; cultivate sources within the various cities, school districts, business groups, county officials and create a reliable database for contacts; build relationships with these sources; meet virtually once a week with the company’s executive editor and fellow journalists to discuss story ideas and trends; possess the ability or willingness to drill deep into issues to create truly hyperlocal content; knowledge of AP style; be the face of the newspaper by representing the Elgin Courier at community functions and association meetings; develop a knack for thoughtfully looking beyond the obvious and surprising readers by telling engaging stories.

Other duties may include, but are not limited to:

Research and write engaging lead and feature stories as assigned; help conceptualize graphics, sidebars, info bullets for articles; ensure accurate reporting by interviewing sources from a variety of perspectives; strive for complete accuracy and meet all deadlines; encourage and create relationships with community/neighborhood/government contacts to maintain a constant flow of news stories; keep on top of current and future business development; coordinate with the Creative Services department to ensure as many stories as possible have a visual element and when appropriate take a camera on assignment to shoot photographs or video; work with the Digital Desk to enhance online and social-media content; write and post web articles and other online content in an accurate, timely manner, including short digital shows with news updates and narratives.

Skills needed:

— Superb communication and time-management abilities.

— Cultivate sources and generate story ideas in a timely manner with minimal supervision.

— Developing multitasking abilities and deal with time pressures.

— Flexibility to assist in other tasks as needed.

— Writing (grammar, style, narrative) and knowledge of photography a must.

— Constant awareness of what people are sharing and talking about on social media.

— Strong interpersonal skills.

— Understanding open-records and public-access laws.

— Strong computer skills, including Microsoft systems.

— Ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.

If you want to make an impact, tell engaging stories, increase awareness, earn a paycheck and be part of our growing community, send your resume and four to five good clips to Executive Editor Thomas Edwards at [email protected].

Let’s make a difference together.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $32,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Dental insurance

Schedule:

• Night shift
• Evening shift
• Day shift
• Weekend availability
• Monday to Friday
• 8 hour shift

Supplemental pay types:

• Signing bonus
• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Elgin, TX 78621: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location