Managing Editor, News
$142k - $177k USD
About Chicago Public Media
Chicago Public Media is one of the nation’s largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.
Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.
We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
Position Summary
Chicago Public Media is seeking a Managing Editor to lead our Chicago news coverage and help shape the future of regional nonprofit journalism. As a senior leader, you will partner closely with the Editor-in-Chief to execute the editorial vision for the nation’s largest local nonprofit newsroom, encompassing both the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ.
The Managing Editor ensures the strategic operation of our combined digital, print, and audio newsrooms. We are looking for a strategic thinker and pragmatic operator who can oversee daily editorial planning, coordinate workflows across platforms, and translate high-level goals into impactful journalism.
If you are a collaborative leader dedicated to journalistic excellence and innovation, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with the EIC to implement editorial strategy and standards.
- Oversee daily newsroom operations, including coverage planning and cross-desk coordination.
- Foster collaboration between newspaper, radio, digital, and visual teams.
- Lead newsroom culture and professional development with a focus on inclusion and excellence.
- Manage logistics, project timelines, and newsroom-wide initiatives such as special investigations and election coverage.
Minimum Qualifications
- 8–10 years of newsroom experience, including significant leadership and management roles.
- Strong editorial judgment and experience in both daily and enterprise journalism.
- Deep understanding of local news and public media values; Chicago-area familiarity is preferred.
- Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead through influence.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in both storytelling and leadership.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, business or a related field required; Master’s degree is preferred.
Compensation
The expected pay range for this position is $141,710 - $177,140 per ANNUM.
Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.
Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.