Editor in Chief

Ready to lead the newsroom at a forward-thinking company? One that encourages and supports new ideas, encourages training and embraces change. One that looks for ways to better serve our readers, clients and community. One that’s not afraid to ask the tough questions and shake things up when needed.

Join Leader Publications, an award-winning, locally owned group of four hyperlocal newspapers in Jefferson and St. Louis counties in Missouri. Here's your chance to direct a team of 8 experienced reporters and editors along with a dozen freelance writers, photographers and columnists and put your stamp on our news products and our community.

Who we are

Leader Publications started in 1994 with one weekly newspaper and has grown to four print newspapers. Our combined direct-mail print circulation tops 50,000, making us one of the largest newspapers in the state. We have a staff of 21 plus a group of experienced freelance writers, photographers and columnists. Online, the Leader keeps our community informed 24/7 at myleaderpaper.com Our website receives more than 100,000 visits each week.

Leader World Headquarters is less than 30 minutes from big city amenities in St. Louis, including symphonies, professional theater, Cardinal baseball, Blues hockey, St. Louis City soccer and more. We also are less than 15 minutes from rural areas that offer opportunities like fishing, hiking, boating, camping, hunting, state parks and more. Our Leader communities are thriving and boast quality schools, vibrant local shopping and strong community identity. The Leader is a respected part of the community.

The role

The ideal candidate is an experienced, ambitious journalist with a passion for local news and community engagement. The editor-in-chief works with the newsroom staff to deliver hyperlocal news in multiple formats. We encourage new ideas and make changes based on staff input. This position reports to the Leader’s publisher.

Responsibilities and priorities

Hold the newsroom to the highest levels of journalism, including accuracy and consistency.
Assign and edit stories, ensuring accuracy, fairness and relevance. Collaborate with reporters and freelancers to cover breaking news, features and in-depth reports.
Mentor and train staff to promote a collaborative and creative newsroom environment.
Maintain a daily publishing schedule for the Leader’s website and social media.
Manage a newsroom budget to ensure expenses are meeting forecasts.
Collaborate with other departments to coordinate news coverage and participation for our own community events, subscription and donation drives, and projects that generate revenue.
Serve as an ambassador for the newsroom, including speaking at public events when needed.

Qualifications

3-5 years of experience in journalism. Preference goes to candidates who have worked in a leadership role at a community or regional newspaper.
Strong writing, editing and communication skills.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects.
Proven ability to lead a team in a fast-paced environment.
Experience in SEO, social media strategy, and audience engagement across digital platforms.

Location

This full-time position is based in Jefferson County, MO, just south of St Louis. Some remote flexibility is available, but the editor-in-chief is expected to work in person in the newsroom and in the community.

Benefits

Medical, vision and dental insurance
A $40-a-month cell phone stipend
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Retirement benefits
Performance bonuses
Support for professional training and attending industry conferences

How to apply

Submit a resume and cover letter summarizing how you would approach this job to Publisher Peggy Scott, peggyscott@myleaderpaper.com.

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Leader Publications

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