Managing Editor – Silicon Prairie News

Managing Editor – Silicon Prairie News

Status: Full-Time Reports To: Executive Leadership Supervises: Two Reporters, Digital Content Coordinator, Freelancers as needed

Role Overview

We’re looking for a sharp, hard-charging Managing Editor to steer our newsroom, build the definitive town square for the region’s builders, tinkerers, and risk-takers. This role blends editorial leadership, hands-on editing, coaching, and business strategy.

The Editor serves as the editorial lead for Silicon Prairie News, overseeing daily content production, long‑form reporting, multimedia storytelling, and brand alignment. This role ensures that coverage is accurate, timely, relevant, and reflective of the innovation, entrepreneurship, and business ecosystem of the Silicon Prairie region. The Editor will work closely with two Reporters and a Digital Content Coordinator to produce high‑quality journalism, manage editorial calendars, strengthen storytelling formats, and maintain consistent editorial standards across all platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership & Strategy

• Shape and execute the editorial vision aligned with organizational goals and audience needs
• Develop and manage the editorial calendar, ensuring balanced coverage across beats (startups, tech, innovation, business, community impact)
• Maintain and evolve Silicon Prairie News’ editorial voice, tone, and style
• Directly manage and mentor a growing team of journalists
• Maintain full editorial independence in determining story selection, reporting, editing, and publication decisions while upholding SPN’s journalism ethics policy and standards
• Help develop and execute a forward-looking editorial strategy that expands SPN’s audience, strengthens its regional influence, and explores new storytelling formats, research, and digital media opportunities

Revenue Management

• Lead and manage relationships and contracts with advertisers, sponsors, and vendors
• Identify potential new advertisers and revenue streams
• Forge authentic partnerships with local accelerators, startup hubs, angel networks, university programs, and event organizers
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to identify opportunities for revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and long-term sustainability while maintaining clear separation between editorial decisions and commercial interests

Content Editing & Quality Control

• Edit all articles for clarity, accuracy, structure, grammar, and brand alignment
• Provide developmental editing for complex stories, investigative pieces, and long‑form features
• Ensure adherence to journalistic ethics, sourcing standards, and fact‑checking protocols
• Review and approve headlines, captions, graphics, and multimedia elements

Team Management & Coaching

• Lead and mentor reporters, providing regular feedback, coaching, and skill development
• Assign stories, manage deadlines, and oversee workflow from pitch to publication
• Coordinate freelance contributors when needed

Operational & Administrative Duties

• Maintain editorial guidelines, style guides, and workflow processes
• Track performance metrics (readership, engagement, reach) and adjust strategy accordingly
• Collaborate with leadership on audience growth, partnerships, and editorial initiatives
• Represent Silicon Prairie News at community events, interviews, and stakeholder meetings when appropriate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of professional editing or newsroom experience, digital-first newsroom preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage reporters, deadlines, and multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience with digital publishing platforms, analytics tools, and multimedia storytelling
• Network of potential advertisers and/or sponsors is a plus
• Familiarity with the Midwest/Silicon Prairie entrepreneurial ecosystem is a plus

Core Competencies

• Editorial Judgment: Ability to prioritize stories, assess newsworthiness, and guide narrative direction
• Leadership & Coaching: Skilled at developing talent and fostering a positive, productive newsroom culture
• Revenue Management:
• Strategic Thinking: Understands audience needs, content trends, and brand positioning
• Quality Assurance: Maintains high standards for accuracy, clarity, and storytelling
• Collaboration: Works effectively with reporters, designers, leadership, and external partners
• Adaptability: Comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving digital media environment

Success in This Role Looks Like

• A consistent pipeline of high-quality, engaging stories
• Reporters who feel supported, challenged, and developed
• A clear editorial identity that strengthens Silicon Prairie News’ brand
• Increased audience engagement and trust
• Smooth editorial operations with predictable workflow and deadlines

How to Apply

Forget the formal cover letter. Send us:

1. Your resume or online profile
2. Three links to stories you’ve reported, edited, or directed
3. A 200-word pitch detailing how you’d deploy a team of two reporters and an audience journalist to cover a major breaking story in our local ecosystem, written in the voice you’d bring to this site

Send applications to [email protected] or apply via LinkedIn