Executive Editor

Executive Editor, EdSource

Join a dynamic team as we chart a path forward for EdSource, California's premier non-profit newsroom devoted to education coverage, operating in the world's 4th largest economy.

Our dedicated team makes California's complex education landscape comprehensible and actionable for parents, teachers, students and decision-makers through authoritative, data-driven journalism. We combine unique beat coverage, sophisticated data visualization, and trusted expertise to reveal not just what's happening in education, but why it matters and how it connects to broader trends—creating journalism that informs decisions from classrooms to the Capitol.

As executive editor, you will drive forward EdSource’s ambition to be an indispensable source for audiences, orchestrating both immediate coverage and long-term investigative projects while mentoring a talented team of journalists who craft engaging and accessible multiplatform content. You’ll play a key role in expanding our partnership network and work closely with the audience team to ensure our reporting meets audiences where they’re at.

Responsibilities

Strategic Editorial Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to set and execute strategic editorial vision.
• Establish clear editorial priorities aligning with EdSource's mission and audience needs.
• Foster and maintain a newsroom culture that reflects EdSource’s core values while ensuring collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.
• Oversee development, assignment, and execution of news and enterprise stories.
• Shape long-term editorial projects and special initiatives, identifying opportunities for deep investigative reporting and high-impact journalism.
• Implement editorial review processes.
• Edit stories for impact across various styles and formats.
• Back-read stories prior to publication to ensure quality and accuracy.

Newsroom Management

• Supervise and manage a team of journalists, providing regular feedback and coaching.
• Hold the editorial team accountable for meeting audience goals and newsroom priorities.
• Establish and maintain efficient newsroom workflows, deadlines, meetings and quality controls.
• Address performance issues directly, providing coaching or making necessary adjustments.
• Ensure rapid response to breaking news and develop strategies for ongoing coverage.
• Balance breaking news coverage with deep analytical reporting.

Audience Growth & Digital Strategy

• Leverage audience data and engagement analytics to shape coverage strategy, improve story performance, and expand EdSource’s reach across platforms.
• Partner with the development and audience teams to align editorial strategy with audience growth initiatives, membership engagement, and revenue-supporting journalism.
• Lead efforts to expand storytelling beyond traditional text formats, incorporating video, interactive graphics, social-first content, and other innovative approaches to engage new and diverse audiences.
• Oversee and expand editorial partnerships to maximize reach and impact.

Talent Development

• Identify newsroom staffing needs and recruit top journalistic talent.
• Raise the digital production capabilities across the editorial staff.
• Provide mentorship and professional growth opportunities for editorial staff.
• Oversee freelancers and student journalists.

Required Skills and Experience

• Editorial Leadership: Proven experience in a newsroom leadership role with a track record of setting and enforcing editorial priorities. Ability to set, lead and execute a strategic vision for education coverage. Experience managing high-profile projects, multi-platform initiatives, and investigative series that span extended timelines.
• Management Experience: At least 8 years of professional editing experience, preferably with a daily journalism publication. Demonstrated ability to manage reporters and editors with a focus on accountability and results.
• Editorial Excellence: Strong editorial judgment and decision-making skills. Excellent writing and editing abilities, with capacity to place education issues within a larger context.
• Digital Expertise: Well-versed in digital production, audience engagement, SEO, and multimedia storytelling. Experience in growing digital audiences and using data to inform decisions.
• Collaborative Leadership: Enthusiastic team-building skills that foster collaboration and innovation. Experience working collaboratively with other editors, reporters, freelancers, and outside contributors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in education issues and education journalism is a plus, but not required.
• Experience leading a multi-platform newsroom.

Candidates should be based in California.

EdSource offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a range of medical plans, a retirement savings plan, generous vacation leave and paid holidays, as well as professional development opportunities. The hiring range for this position is $140,000 – $155,000.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume to

jobs@edsource.org.

Please include the job title in the subject line and, in the body of the email, how you heard about this opportunity (job post, referral etc.). If you move forward in the hiring process, there will be a written assignment designed to assess your skills as a newsroom leader.

EdSource is an equal opportunity employer that places a high value on diversity. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.