Politics Editor

The Des Moines Register/desmoinesregister.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an editor to lead the Register’s nationally recognized coverage of state and national government and politics.

With Des Moines as a state capital and Iowa as the historical home to the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, Iowa is a hotbed for interest and expertise in politics.

The politics editor will guide the Register’s four-person government and politics team, a health reporter and other reporters as assigned in breaking exclusive news and in producing impactful watchdog journalism and other enterprise. This editor must demonstrate the ability to edit and lead top-notch investigative work; to excel under intense deadline pressure; to deeply understand digital audiences; and to press for innovation in digital content and experiences. The editor will coach reporters in employing alternative storytelling forms beyond text, including photos, video and data visualization. Database skills are a plus.
 

A successful politics editor will be an inspiring team leader who can work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment. This editor will coordinate political coverage across the USA TODAY Network’s four newsrooms in Iowa, including Ames, Burlington and Iowa City, and will collaborate with the Network’s national politics editors.
 

Preferred candidates will have prior experience covering or directing coverage of politics and government policy at the state or national level. Applicants must demonstrate a track record for keen news judgment, ethical decision-making and fair play.

The Des Moines Register is a 17-time Pulitzer Prize winner. This position offers an opportunity to build a career path in Iowa or to gain the foundation to move on to top metros across the country.

Responsibilities:

• Help reporters hone skills in a wide range of storytelling: from real time digital updates to narrative storytelling to investigative reporting, employing alternative story forms and multimedia.
• Use metrics and analytics to increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.
• Be a teacher, not just an editor. After all, everyone needs a coach.
• Be courageous about experimentation.
• Be a team player who likes to collaborate with coworkers.
• Serve as an ambassador to the community on the Register’s behalf.
• Apply innovative, creative thinking to support the company’s goals.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of experience in journalism writing, editing or management roles and demonstration of strong editing skills.
• Solid news judgment.
• Top-notch planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• Experience with advanced storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
• Experience reporting or editing watchdog and investigative journalism.
• Understanding of metrics, social media and SEO.
• Self-motivation and self-direction.
• Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check.

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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