Unclassified

Hearst Communications - San Francisco, CA

Full-time - Senior

San Francisco, CA

Publishing Industries

About the position

The San Francisco Chronicle is seeking an Investigative Editor to lead a dynamic team focused on in-depth investigations, narrative storytelling, and special projects. This role is pivotal in supervising a group of investigative journalists who have garnered significant accolades, including two IRE awards and a Sidney Award, and have been finalists for a Pulitzer Prize. The editor will not only oversee the investigative team but will also collaborate with writers from various departments such as metro, politics, and sports, as well as with editorial partners, to ensure comprehensive coverage of critical issues. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, capable of guiding journalists through the entire reporting and writing process. This includes brainstorming story ideas, making creative decisions on presentation, and collaborating with photographers, artists, data reporters, and designers to create compelling narratives. The Investigative Editor will also play a crucial role during major breaking news events, such as wildfires or earthquakes, by producing accountability stories that resonate with the audience. Success in this position requires a collaborative spirit and a commitment to developing talent within the newsroom. The editor should be adept at using multimedia tools and thrive under the pressure of tight deadlines, producing work that is not only revealing and exclusive but also prompts meaningful change. A strong background in investigative reporting, editing, and project management is essential, along with a dedication to fair and inclusive journalism.

Responsibilities

• Generate high-impact ideas that lead to stories of consequence, both short-term investigations and longer-term, project-level journalism.
• Supervise, edit and professionally develop a team of investigative reporters, while building fruitful relationships with journalists across the newsroom.
• Work collaboratively with other teams across the newsroom, including digital, photo, data and design, while pitching ideas for special projects.
• Coordinate the long-term planning of the most in-depth stories, managing calendars, timelines and workflows.
• Take a leadership role in the newsroom in developing investigative reporting skills and tools.
• Ensure that resources used on high-impact reporting reflect the diversity of experiences and needs in the Bay Area.

Requirements

• At least five years' experience at a daily newspaper, magazine or web publication or the equivalent as an investigative reporter and/or editor.
• Demonstrated expertise in investigative reporting techniques, strong news judgment, creativity and meticulousness.
• Ability to edit long investigative and narrative pieces to make them more clear and compelling.
• Knowledge of multimedia storytelling, audience engagement and other strategies to broaden readership and deepen impact.
• Ability to collaborate with all newsroom teams and work in a fast-changing news environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range between $125,000 and $145,000 based on experience and skills.