Senior Editor, Morning Edition

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.

Intro to Position

Millions of listeners depend on Morning Edition and Up First to set the news agenda that starts their day. We deliver the latest international and national news stories paired with analysis to help put those headlines in context. Morning Edition is also a platform for accountability through interviews with government officials and decision makers who make or influence policy that affect people’s lives. The show also features culture stories about music, movies and books that bring joy and provoke thoughtful conversations about who we are in this world. 

A Senior Editor is an emerging leader within the Morning Edition and Up First team. They are trusted with making editorial decisions that directly affect news coverage on the live show and the podcast. They are accessible collaborators, keen news watchers and excellent writers. 

A Senior Editor can fulfill any role on the team, but is most relied upon to work on complex and challenging stories, projects and situations predominantly involving Morning Edition hosts. That includes traveling and field reporting with our hosts to sometimes hostile environments. It can also include managing cross-departmental editorial projects such as a series, breaking news or consequential interviews. And, they are sometimes asked to execute or manage the editorial and operational direction of the show with minimal supervision. 

The  Senior Editor, helps edit the daily show including host interviews, reported stories and other content for the broadcast, video, and digital platforms. The Senior Editor is a writer with flair and accuracy and is able to meet tight daily deadlines.  They work closely with the four show hosts, as well as with the show’s supervisory, editorial and production staff.  Senior Editors also help producers and editors shape or frame their stories and segments ensuring content is focused, accurate and meets NPR standards.

The right candidate for this position is interested in daily news and is eager to deliver the freshest, most important stories to listeners to start their day. They should also want to understand the needs and wants of various audiences.

 Morning Edition is a 24/6 news operation. Candidates must be able to work a variety of shifts, including dayside, overnight, or swing shifts on a rotational basis.

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

Responsibilities

All requirements of Editor I, II, III plus: 

• Pitches, manages, and executes major editorial projects and stories to include high-profile guest interviews, reported stories, live events or other journalistic products
• Travels with hosts and staff domestically and internationally on reporting trips as assigned by show management team
• Edits and helps produce interviews and stories on multiple platforms and mediums to the highest editorial standards at NPR
• Routinely develops timely, original program content for shows, actively pitching
  forward-looking stories, with the ability to turn on an aggressive deadline
• Manages and helps develop original content for the show, podcast, and/ or digital platforms 
• Trains and mentors staff at all levels on the team and within the NPR network
• Fills in on show management duties as needed, such as managing staff assignments or show production
• Upholds NPR’s editorial and ethical standards on any piece of journalism they are working on including content on the show, podcast, newsletter or any other product Morning Edition and Up First produces 

• Plays a role in shaping editorial standards for the show by participating in conversations and initiatives around diversity, inclusion and equity.
• Other duties as assigned