Temporary Senior Editor, Code Switch

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Application Deadline: Please submit your application materials by 5:00 pm EST, Wednesday April 8th, 2026

Intro to Position

This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA. 

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.  

Responsibilities

• Edit long-form audio stories, short pieces, podcast episodes, digital copy and social media posts, and edit and write scripts for the ear.
• Lead small teams of reporters, editors and producers in shaping stories and coverage threads
• Participate in group edits and story meetings.
• Manage and shape stories from the pitch process through the final product, working collaboratively with other editors, producers, reporters, interns, fellows, free-lance writers, outside contributors and other team members.
• Work with reporters, producers and hosts in a way that facilitates their journalistic and professional development
• Ensure all journalistic and ethical standards are met and exceeded.
• Edit radio scripts for NPR broadcast programs
• Set deadlines and ensure they’re met, set regular story meetings and ensure that episodes are proceeding on schedule
• Work with supervising editor to manage a short-, medium- and long-range editorial planning and calendar.
• Edit web, social, video and newsletter copy as needed
• Represent Code Switch in story meetings and collaborative coverage across NPR shows and platforms and work with member stations.
• Mentor and assist in the professional development of junior staff
• Provide editing and feedback in a supporting, encouraging and productive way as part of a collaborative, team-based creative process
• Factor in diversity of sourcing and representation of all voices when planning and executing the program
• Bring energy, humor, good cheer and a collaborative spirit to a fast-paced and deadline-driven, highly creative team environment.
• Evolve with the job as the show continues to grow

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years experience explaining complicated topics to audiences, as a journalist, writer, or communicator
• 7+ years experience in a deadline-driven environment
• 7+ years experience producing and/or editing audio interviews and narrative pieces
• 4+ years experience producing and/or editing long-form (20-40 minutes) narrative pieces and interviews
• 3+ years experience working with hosts to help shape their ideas and writing

Preferred Qualifications

• A deep understanding of the political, legal, academic, cultural and historical debates and scholarship over race and racism in the United States.
• Previous experience as a high-level editorial leader on a team, helping shape editorial priorities

Required Skills/Competencies

• A passionate commitment to issues of race and identity
• Leadership, professionalism, high ethical standards, ability to work closely in a team with kindness, compassion, and empathy.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
• Understanding of journalism ethics, radio and digital writing and copy-editing
• Ability to juggle editing long-form audio stories, short pieces, podcast episodes, digital copy and social media posts, and edit and write scripts for the ear.
• Proven ability