Managing Editor

Job Description

About Milwaukee NNS

The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, often referred to as NNS, is an ambitious, collaborative and pioneering news organization that for 14 years has delivered fact-based reporting to communities of color in Milwaukee. In 2024, following many successful collaborations, NNS merged with Wisconsin Watch as part of a bold vision to rebuild local news in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin.

The managing editor is crucial for this vision and for driving NNS’ continued growth and impact. As NNS aims to elevate its community-focused journalism and expand its reach, a strong editorial leader is needed to ensure the delivery of high-quality, impactful content, enhance staff development and collaborate with the NNS Executive Director to set strategic priorities and vision. This role will amplify NNS’ impact as a vital resource for Milwaukee’s Black and brown communities.

Are you that person?

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Both a champion of excellent journalism as well as a champion of the people who produce the excellent work. We seek someone with top-notch leadership skills and impeccable news judgment. 
• Committed to collaboration, appreciates diversity and inclusion and has a passion for coaching a talented newsroom while juggling multiple projects.
• Comfortable working with community residents, students, emerging journalists and seasoned veterans to create stories that resonate with readers who often are neglected, underrepresented or misrepresented by other media outlets. 
• Committed to excellent community journalism and serving readers, has excellent interpersonal communication skills, is attentive to details but can see the forest from the trees.
• Enthusiastic about our mission to paint a complete portrait of our neighbors by intentionally celebrating the ordinary people who do extraordinary things; connecting readers to the resources they need to navigate their lives; serving as a ferocious watchdog on their behalf; and giving them a platform to voice their opinions on issues.

At NNS, our staffers don’t parachute into our communities and then leave: We are embedded in our neighborhoods, and we remain invested in the lives of our readers.

As we inform, we believe we can transform through the power of fact-based multimedia reporting. We are looking for the person who can bring out the best in our staff and who can help us become required reading for all those interested in Milwaukee's Black and brown communities.

In this role, you will:

•  Edit stories, graphics and visuals to ensure they meet the high standards of NNS for accuracy, clarity and newsworthiness.
• Supervise reporters, photographers, interns and community volunteers
• Lead editorial meetings; coach and collaborate with reporters to identify and prioritize key topics, stories and impactful cross-newsroom special projects. 
• Assist in managing the newsroom, working collaboratively to craft strategies that further the organization’s mission, including production of efficient and timely content.
• Work closely with our community engagement team, which includes News414, our community-centered engagement initiative that uses text messages, social media, events and other tools to listen to and then provide critical information to underserved audiences.
• In collaboration with the executive director, help provide strategic direction and vision for the editorial team in alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
• In collaboration with the audience engagement manager, develop and execute content strategies that are revelatory, engaging and support the nonprofit mission, with the goal of getting our stories to a wider audience.
• Coordinate regular training sessions to elevate the skills of staff.
• Represent NNS at community events to build and maintain relationships with readers and supporters to ensure we stay embedded and connected in the communities we serve.
• Collaborate with the business team to support grant applications and donor relations, as needed.

Job Requirements

Required skills:

• 7+ years of journalism experience, with experience managing direct reports
• Outstanding editing, coaching, organizational and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and consistently work on deadlines
• Experience in WordPress or similar content management systems
• Self-starting, initiative-taking attitude
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across and outside of an organization
• Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge are an essential part of who you are 
• Copy-editing experience, with expertise in SEO headlines and knowledge of AP style

Bonus skills:

• Has experience setting strategic priorities and vision, including content, that advance organizational mission
• Fluent in Spanish

We know that there will be great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who hold important skills we haven’t listed. Don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities. We are an equal-opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other status protected under applicable law.

Location: The managing editor should be located in the Milwaukee area.  

Salary and benefits: The salary range is $63,500-$80,000. Final offer amounts will carefully consider multiple factors and higher compensation may be available for someone with advanced skills and/or experience. NNS offers competitive benefits, including generous vacation (five weeks), a retirement fund contribution, paid sick days, paid family and caregiver leave, subsidized medical and dental premiums, vision coverage, and more.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

To apply: Please submit a PDF of your resume, a cover letter explaining why you are the best candidate for this job and answer a brief question in the application form. If you’d like to chat about the job before applying, contact Executive Director Ron Smith at rsmith@milwaukeenns.org. 

$63,500 - $80,000 per year

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