Executive Editor, Digital Programming

Job Description

Executive Editor, Digital Programming
Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB's careers page.
 
 
About OPB
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is an independent, nonprofit media organization serving communities across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB connects people through trusted journalism that is freely accessible to everyone. Guided by public service and a commitment to equity, we deliver in-depth, fact-driven coverage of politics, science and the environment, arts and culture, education and more. OPB shares stories and programs wherever people seek them: on opb.org, OPB Radio and TV, the OPB News app, social media, streaming video, podcasts, or our daily “First Look” and other email newsletters
 
The Opportunity
OPB is seeking a strategic and visionary professional with sharp instincts for news and audience centric journalism to serve as our Executive Editor of Digital Programming. This position will help ensure audiences see OPB’s storytelling, news and information as a relevant and essential part of their daily lives. 
 
The executive editor will lead a team of digital producers and collaborate closely with product, news and content colleagues to drive strategy for the curation, packaging and distribution of written, audio and video content across OPB’s digital platforms. They will craft nimble systems that deliver impactful journalism and make our digital platforms a daily essential for our audience. And they will work closely with colleagues in promotions, development, communications and technology in support of organizational priorities.
 
In addition to leading our digital programming, the executive editor will also support and guide a talented, growing and evolving team that includes a digital coordinating editor and a team of digital producers. The successful candidate will lead their team to support the organizational goals of increasing engagement and retention of digital audiences as well as growing traffic to the website and other platforms.  
 
Based in Oregon, the expectation is that this individual will be on-site at OPB headquarters in Portland most of the week, as you will be working closely with the digital team and cross-collaborating with other teams. If you bring experience in dynamic media environments, have strong news instincts and an ability to spot and develop programming around the most important news of the day, while also retaining a passion for leading teams with empathy and clarity, we want to hear from you!
 
Position Details
The executive editor is a strategic and visionary professional with strong news instincts who will lead an audience-focused digital production, curation, and distribution team. This is a new leadership role to reimagine and oversee our digital programming strategy for delivering OPB’s written, audio and video stories to audiences across OPB’s website, app, newsletters, and social media. This person will be pivotal in shaping the future of our digital programming as well as ensuring the delivery of compelling, impactful, and audience-centric journalism. They will be a part of the team leading the conversation in news and public affairs across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest while also reflecting our rich storytelling and diverse communities in culture, science, history, arts, and music. 
 
The executive editor will collaborate closely and daily with editorial, product, audience, promotions, communications and technology teams at the inception of story ideas to drive innovation, expand our digital reach and deepen our connection with audiences. As part of the Programming and Audience Engagement team, the executive editor will work particularly closely with the director of platform and product who oversees digital products to create the experiences where stories live. They will also collaborate closely with the VP of news, talk and podcasts and the full news, visuals, and content teams on a daily basis. Typical work will entail using organizational strategy and cross platform team collaboration to guide a team of digital producers to identify the best leads for the various dayparts on the website, social media strategies, newsletter needs and other strategic avenues that may present themselves in the future.  
 
Their team is a key partner in helping OPB develop new audiences and build community. 
 
Responsibilities
50% - Leadership and Strategy
 

• Lead the digital programming strategy, guiding the identification of the strongest news stories of the day, and the curation and development of engaging content across web, mobile, social media, newsletters and emerging digital platforms. Ensure alignment with the organization’s editorial and strategic mission and goals.
• Collaborate closely with the director of platform and product and audience intelligence strategist to align digital product and digital programming strategies into a cohesive, user-centered, audience facing program deeply rooted in our storytelling and that support our audience goals. 
• Work closely with Content, product, Programming and Audience Engagement and the Visuals department to ensure digital producers are involved at the inception of story ideas.
• Collaborate closely with audience engagement, promotions, development, visuals, and technology teams to ensure digital initiatives align with organizational goals.
• Monitor emerging trends in digital journalism and adapt our strategies to remain at the forefront of the industry.
• Work with the platform, audience, and promotion teams to develop strategies for expanding and retaining a loyal, engaged, and diverse digital audience. 
• Leverage analytics and user feedback to inform decisions and optimize content performance. 
• Collaborate closely with the editorial leadership team to ensure editorial priorities are reflected in digital programming.
• Ensure the team is optimizing content for search engines, social platforms, and other digital channels to maximize reach and impact.
• Ensure the content is packaged and curated appropriately to engage specific audience segments and distribution platforms

 
45% - Leadership and Strategy

• Supervise and mentor the digital production team, ensuring identification of the most important news stories of the day, responsive curation, high editorial and style standards, timely publication and effective audience centering and targeting.  

• Supervise and collaborate closely with the digital coordinating editor, who determines daily, weekly, and long-term digital storytelling plans with content teams as well as arranges republishing of partner content to OPB digital platforms.  

• Foster a collaborative environment and promote a culture of innovation, creativity, and journalistic excellence. 

• Provide ongoing coaching, training, and feedback to staff, encouraging continuous improvement, creativity and belonging.  

• Promote professional development and growth opportunities within the digital team; including assessing opportunities for digital producers to do original storytelling when schedules allow 

• Keep team informed and aligned with department and organizations strategies. 

• Ensure efficient use of Arc XP, OPB’s content management system. Stay current on development of new features and incorporate best practices into daily workflow. Work with platform and product at OPB to ensure tools are effective and functional. 

 
5% - Other duties as assigned.
 
 
Working Conditions
Most work can be done at an office with flexible options when needed. Work schedule will be determined by OPB business needs, primarily Monday through Friday during business hours. 
 

Additional Information

• This position reports to VP Programming and Audience Engagement and is benefits eligible
• The probable hiring range for this exempt position is between $122,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on qualifications
• For the safety of our employees, the contractors/vendors we work with, and the public we serve, OPB has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy and all employees are required to show proof of vaccination.

 
 
 
 
How to Apply
For application instructions, please visit OPB's careers page. You will be asked to create an account, upload your cover letter and resume and answer a few position related questions. Once you click “submit” you cannot make changes to your application.
 
Your application materials are due by 8:59 PM Pacific Time on January 10, 2024.
 
OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 
 
 

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience in journalism, digital programming, and storytelling.
• Supervisory experience that includes building, uplifting, empowering, and managing dynamic teams responsible for digital content curation and production. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.
• Strong leadership and team building skills, with an established record of driving forward multiple, digital first projects in a fast-paced, dynamic newsroom and media organization. 
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through organizational change management
• A demonstrated record of collaboration, leadership, innovation, and audience focused decision making, including a test and learn approach to work.
• Deep understanding of digital media trends, audience behavior, SEO, social media strategies, and digital content distribution – particularly with an eye toward reaching new and previously under-represented audiences. 
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with an ability to balance editorial priorities with audience needs.
• Ability to think holistically across platforms and recognize digital opportunities for content conceived for TV and radio.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), digital analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), SEO best practices, and social media platforms.
• A strong commitment to public service journalism and the mission of a nonprofit newsroom to inform, engage, and empower diverse communities.

 
 
 
Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of experience supervising and managing a team of at least 4 individuals with a proven ability to lead, motivate and develop team performance   

• Bilingual in English and another language, preferably one spoken in communities in the Pacific Northwest (for example, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Russian).  

• Familiarity with Arc XP content management system. 

• A voracious news consumer with knowledge of major stories and issues in the Northwest. 

 
 

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