Deputy Managing Editor of Texas Culture, Chron

Hearst Seattle Media - Houston, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Houston, TX

1,001-5,000 employees

About the position

The Houston Chronicle is seeking a Deputy Managing Editor of Texas Culture to lead our local and state-wide lifestyle editorial slate. This role is pivotal in driving the narrative of what it means to be a Houstonian and Texan, focusing on the unique stories and angles that resonate with our diverse audience. The ideal candidate will possess a digital-first mindset and a deep understanding of local culture, ensuring that our content reflects the interests and concerns of Houstonians. The Deputy Managing Editor will oversee a team of editors and reporters, guiding them in crafting compelling stories that cover a wide range of topics, including music, fashion, nightlife, food, and regional travel. This position requires a creative approach to storytelling, with an emphasis on emotional connections that illuminate the vibrant life of Houston. In this role, you will be responsible for assigning and editing stories, collaborating closely with the Editorial Director and Managing Editor, and ensuring that all content meets the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and timeliness. You will also be expected to generate innovative story ideas that are informed by current trends and issues affecting the city. The Deputy Managing Editor will plan an editorial calendar that includes both daily features and in-depth profiles, ensuring that our coverage reflects the brand's vision and voice. This position is not just about managing content; it’s about inspiring a team to produce must-read stories that engage and inform our audience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee editors and reporters, providing editorial direction to ensure content is compelling for a Houston audience.
• Work with section editors to assign news and feature stories to staff reporters, freelancers, and contributors, managing the process from workshopping to editing and publishing.
• Generate creative story ideas informed by knowledge of current trends, issues, and topics affecting Houston.
• Occasionally write both features and newsy lifestyle pieces.
• Plan out an editorial calendar that includes offbeat, informative dailies as well as well-reported profiles and features.
• Ensure storytelling finds emotional connections for readers that illuminate or challenge locals' love for the area.
• Collaborate closely with editorial leadership to set the editorial tone, ensuring daily coverage reflects the brand's vision and voice.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant experience in writing, editing, and managing writers, editors, or producers in publishing or digital media.
• Experience in, and understanding of, Texas culture and lifestyle.
• Top-notch reporting, writing, and editing skills.
• Excellent news judgment and understanding of media ethics and AP Style.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to make editorial decisions.
• Experience managing or mentoring other writers.
• Familiarity with content management systems and analytics tools such as Google Trends.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with social media platforms and other publishing tools.
• Ability to generate fresh ideas consistently for compelling content.
• Strong organizational skills to manage editorial systems and calendars.

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Diverse and inclusive workplace culture