Senior Editor, Audio

Job Description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University. Audio News. Full time. Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 days/Week). WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station in the greater Washington, D.C. area. We provide in-depth and enterprise reporting alongside essential daily news and information that aims to reflect and serve the diverse communities of our region. We believe in news as a public service and put our current and future audience at the center of our work. The Editor leads a cross-platform, multimedia coverage team of reporters, with a focus on broadcast and audio storytelling, ensuring that WAMU has thoughtful and inclusive coverage of the D.C. region. The Editor directs multiple reporters, each focused on core WAMU topic areas, and primarily edits and manages those reporters for broadcast. Using demonstrated audio editing and production skills, they will shape features/reporting for radio and on-demand platforms. They will also coordinate with a digital counterpart and provide web edits, as needed. This position will also otherwise support individual reporters’ growth and career goals, helping to identify opportunities that advance their desired skillsets. This position reports to the Managing Director Audio News, Audio and works closely with other Editors to enforce a unified vision for WAMU’s regional coverage agenda. Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 1. Evaluate pitches, assign, and edit stories: Drive the vision and execution of stories from a team of reporters, ensuring work is timely, accurate, and reflective of the region’s diversity in both sourcing and topic. Serve as the primary audio editor for stories generated by the reporter team. Edit digital stories as needed. Exercise judgment in setting deadlines and expectations for reporters, and communicate those expectations clearly. 2. Train staff: Design and conduct audio training including field recording, writing for audio, digital audio editing. Work with individual reporters across the newsroom to enhance audio skills and quality. 3. Enterprise story planning: In collaboration with newsroom staff, develop ambitious, longer-term reporting projects and facilitate the execution of them with an eye towards experimentation and platform expansion. Competencies: Championing Customer Needs. Evaluating and Implementing Ideas. Developing Plans. Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions. Building and Supporting Teams. Managing Talent. Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. 4-6 years of relevant experience. Preferred Education and Experience: Master’s degree or equivalent. 5-8 years of relevant experience. Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises a team of reporters. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full Time, 35 hours/week. Salary Range: Commensurate with experience. Travel Required: Limited. Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Degree in journalism or related field, or equivalent experience. 5+ years of storytelling/journalism experience, with leadership experience or demonstrated leadership potential. Skill at editing broadcast radio for narrative strength, storytelling style, speed, and factual accuracy. Digital editing and production skills are also valued. Commitment to the mission of public media. Strong news judgment, with the ability to discern what differentiates a WAMU from other local news outlets. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and to set and meet deadlines. Creative approach to stories, both in terms of generating fresh angles and experimenting with new formats and approaches. Commitment to inclusivity and compassion, both on our team and in our coverage. Collaborative, congenial workstyle. A desire to guide colleagues to common goals and mentor reporters to strengthen and grow their skillsets. Benefits: AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Other Details: Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E-Verify employer. Current American University Employees: American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Contact Us: For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu. American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively ‘Protected Bases’) in its programs and activities.