Executive Editor

The Asheville Citizen-Times is seeking a digital savvy, strategic and community minded executive editor who is committed to audience growth, digital innovation and powerful journalism in fast-growing Asheville and Western North Carolina.

The ideal candidate has a collaborative mindset and is eager to work together to raise the newsroom's digital acumen and drive high-quality journalism that is essential to the Western North Carolina communities it serves. This is a person fluid in news analytics, energized by new ideas, and whose enthusiasm for great journalism is contagious.

The ideal candidate will be a transformational leader who is passionate about watchdog and enterprise reporting who also possesses a deep knowledge of audience.

This editor must understand and illustrate how community engagement and subscriber loyalty are at the forefront of what we do and how we operate.

We need a strong communicator and collaborator, as well as someone who understands how to inspire and lead even more sophisticated work through community engagement, social media and other platforms. We also need a leader who embraces the ethos of servant leadership and continuous self learning.

This person must have impeccable journalism credentials, outstanding leadership skills, and a keen grasp of the ever-changing digital space, including a strong knowledge of visual storytelling. The right editor is people-centric, has lofty standards, remains focused on the most important priorities and opportunities, and easily shifts between strategy and execution.

The executive editor will work collaboratively with partners in the USA TODAY Network South Region to become the voice of authority for Western North Carolinians through quality journalism, strategic outreach and diverse storytelling.

Responsibilities:

• Uphold the highest journalism standards across digital and print platforms, strongly support the First Amendment and conceive, pursue and execute watchdog reporting.
• Develop and implement a multi-platform digital vision and strategy focused on achieving target audience specific goals and objectives.
• Provide leadership and be knowledgeable in state and local news, investigative journalism, Helene recovery issues, public service and government issues.
• Champion change management efforts that include strong communication of the company's strategic initiatives, purpose, vision, culture and plan.
• Lead the planning and oversee execution of content strategies with a keen eye focused on strategic audiences. Special emphasis is placed on digital and other new platforms. Creativity and an ability to develop and execute innovative approaches are essential.
• Facilitate strong community connections with a relevant editorial voice and personal interaction.
• Attract, retain and develop top talent.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years in significant leadership roles in a newsroom with demonstrated success.
• Clear understanding of the First Amendment and the highest regard for upholding those standards.
• Experience in high-level decision-making with complex, impactful or sensitive news content.
• Experience working in industries undergoing substantial change and transformation.
• A history of successful leadership, innovation and goal achievement.
• Demonstrated change leader who collaborates and communicates effectively.
• Personal charisma, comfort with public speaking and commitment to staff interaction.
• Understanding of the changing media landscape and ability to adapt strategies that address continually changing market and consumer needs and desires.
• Demonstrated strong competitive instincts and intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and coordinate in an environment of accountability.
• Demonstrated track record in recruiting a highly successful leadership team.

Application Instructions:

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don't limit your upload to a resume; show us what you've done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume - one to two pages.

2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.

3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you've produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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