Managing Editor

Managing Editor, Community Advocate NewspaperThe Community Advocate Newspaper - a well-respected newspaper with a 50-year legacy covering the vibrant communities of Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, Marlborough, Grafton, and Hudson - is seeking an experienced Managing Editor. Our independently-owned newspaper has the largest print circulation in the Central Massachusetts communities we serve, and we maintain a content-rich website with several hundred thousand page views monthly. In an era when major news organizations are faltering, we are doubling down, producing more high-quality, hyperlocal content than any other local source.

The person selected for this role will provide a strong voice for the editorial direction of the publication. This candidate will become embedded in the community, becoming a driving force behind our newspaper's vision to become the most valued news source in Central Massachusetts. Above all, our mission is to provide insightful coverage that is thought-provoking and genuinely useful to the readers we serve.

It starts with writing: The Managing Editor, like every member of our editorial team, will be expected to provide in-depth coverage of at least one of our communities. As such, candidates must be experienced and polished writers, capable of writing breaking news, personality profiles, and government breakdowns. The Managing Editor will help build and elevate our team of staff and contributing writers. Candidates must possess sharp editing skills and the willingness to provide the feedback that will improve our team's writing. They must be able to manage, critique, and support writers. The successful candidate must also be curious and excited to learn and understand the key issues in our coverage area, develop interesting story pitches that generate readership, and analyze data to determine future coverage. SEO, newsletter, and website experience are a plus.

The Managing Editor will work closely with the publisher and Associate Editor as well as the Sales Department (to coordinate paid promotions which sometimes involve content), and the Art Department, which lays out the print paper on a weekly basis. The Managing Editor directs when (and where) stories appear in-print and online. Most importantly, the Community Advocate - while serving as the leading news source in its communities - is currently a fraction of what it can become. The successful candidate will have a relentless passion for journalism. They will possess a strong desire to be 'first' on the stories that matter. We are looking for an innovator who can help shape the future of local news.

Local news is experiencing a renaissance, and the strongest purveyors will succeed and thrive. The Community Advocate plans to be on the forefront of this change.

The candidate should have:

A bachelor's degree in journalism or a related fieldA minimum of five (5) years of professional reporting experienceMeaningful, professional editing experienceThe ability to commute easily to our Westborough office, or the willingness to relocate quickly (by July 1)A track record of exemplary journalism, and an understanding of newsgathering strategyIf interested, please submit:

A cover letterA resumeFive (5) writing samples, with a variety of hard news, features, and government reportingThree (3) referencesApplications close on May 15.Candidates will be notified if they are finalists by May 22