Senior Editor

About WFAE

WFAE, Charlotte’s NPR station, is an award-winning, multiplatform newsroom (radio, digital, podcasts, and live events) committed to delivering high-quality local news and engagement that meets the needs of our diverse community. Our mission is to deliver journalism that informs, engages, and inspires. Our vision is to help create a more knowledgeable and engaged community grounded in our shared humanity. 

Position Overview

WFAE is seeking a sharp, detail-oriented, and versatile Senior Editor to serve as a critical newsroom leader. This role is responsible for co-producing daily news, long-form stories, special projects, and features across both broadcast and digital platforms. The ideal candidate possesses impeccable news judgment, a drive to break news, and an unshakeable commitment to accuracy and fairness.Additionally, this leader will think creatively about audience development and cross-platform reach.

The Senior Editor does not just manage copy and audio; they are a mentor who works closely with reporters to develop their ideas, elevate their storytelling, and grow their professional skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Editorial Leadership & Copy Editing: Partner with the Executive Editor and Digital Director to manage and distribute daily editing duties for WFAE’s broadcast station, website, social media platforms, and newsletters.
• Content Planning: Produce a daily rundown of news stories for WFAE and news partners; help develop and maintain a weekly master plan of station content.
• Team Management & Coaching: Share supervisory responsibility for reporters, newscasters, digital producers, and hosts, providing constructive feedback to elevate their work.
• Project Management: Direct and shape long-form features, investigative pieces, and special series, particularly around major events like elections.
• Cross-Trained Broadcast Support: Regularly cross-train and fill in for vital broadcast operations. This includes occasionally hosting Morning Edition or All Things Considered, producing broadcast spots, and training to guest-host Charlotte Talks or join the Friday news roundup rotation.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Coordinate with regional public media partners (including other North Carolina public radio stations) to share coverage and coordinate major news events.
• Cross-Departmental Communication: Maintain seamless internal communication across distributed, hybrid teams (producers, hosts, and digital creators) to keep the newsroom in sync.
• Administrative Management: Handle routine administrative duties for direct reports, including time-off tracking, payroll approvals, holiday scheduling, and annual performance evaluations.

Salary Range: $80,000 – $85,000

Reports To: Executive Editor / Digital Director

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Core Journalism Expertise: Extensive experience with AP Style and copy editing, paired with exceptional, instinctive news judgment.
• People Management: Proven ability to lead, manage, and coach creative professionals, with a genuine desire to develop reporter talent.
• Project Leadership: Experience guiding long-term, complex multimedia journalism projects from conception to completion.
• Technical Adaptability: Experience with (or a strong willingness to learn) audio editing software (e.g., Adobe Audition, Hindenburg, Audacity).
• Digital Literacy: A solid understanding of digital media workflows and social media analytics to help guide audience development.
• Forward-Thinking Mindset: A willingness to ethically experiment with emerging technologies, including AI, to streamline newsroom workflows.
• Broadcast Experience (Preferred): Prior experience in a live broadcast environment is a plus.

WFAE is an innovative, multiplatform public media organization that aspires to have a diverse, equitable, inclusive and qualified staff. We offer an exciting and creative work environment, a generous benefit package and competitive compensation. We invite you to apply to our jobs listed below or submit an application for future consideration. If you believe you’re a good fit for a role but don’t have all of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to still apply.

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