Senior Editor, Arts & Culture

About Chicago Public Media

Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report .

The Opportunity

WBEZ, Chicago's NPR station, is seeking a Senior Editor/Arts & Culture to lead our newest daily news desk covering Chicago's vast and exciting arts and culture scene. This editor will oversee a growing team that will initially include two full-time arts reporters and a digital producer, while also cultivating relationships with freelancers to provide an array of content focusing on visual and performing arts, food and dining, music, books, museums, things to do, and people.

The senior editor will lead the launch of a new weekly fine arts newsletter curating reported features, criticism, profiles and experiences of life in Chicago, along with daily and breaking news in local arts. Work from the arts team will appear across a wide array of platforms, including WBEZ's broadcast shows, podcasts, social media and wbez.org, as well as Vocalo and The Chicago Sun-Times print and digital. As such, the senior editor will work closely with Vocalo and Sun-Times editors in coordinating coverage for daily, enterprise, breaking and multi-platform special feature packages.

The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of the Chicago area's arts, culture and entertainment, including its players, issues and history. They'll also have extensive experience inspiring journalists of all experience levels to create work of the highest caliber in a collaborative environment.

They will bring big, bold (and fun!) ideas of their own to the table, but also will take joy in shaping and encouraging the ideas of others. The candidate will have discerning taste and keen editorial judgment, as well as a deep commitment to the mission of public media and the highest ethical standards.

The Senior Editor is also responsible for executing a strategic editorial vision around big events, as well as articulating a broader strategy and tactics for how WBEZ can best serve its audience.

Qualifications

• Outstanding news judgment and experience leading journalists to produce work of distinction and community impact. Passion for leading arts coverage, and a dedication to taking risks and trying new things.
• Deep knowledge of arts and culture in general with knowledge of Chicago being a big plus.
• Ability to conceptualize and edit digital/audio stories for content, accuracy, pacing,
• ideas, narrative, voice and character.
• Strong relationship builder and naturally collaborative leader. Experience leading and inspiring diverse, inclusive teams to excellence.
• Well-qualified candidates will have at least five years of journalism experience and a track record of elevating the national conversation around arts and entertainment. Prior experience as a manager is a big plus.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include:

• 6 weeks fully paid family leave
• High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
• A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
• Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.