McClatchy Media is seeking a creative, collaborative and audience-focused editor to lead a new team dedicated to expanding local service journalism and AI-assisted content creation across Tarrant County, Texas.
This editor will manage a team of five — including three reporters, an AI-assisted reporter and an associate editor — whose mission is to inform, empower and connect with readers.
The successful candidate will be a motivated newsroom leader who brings a blend of strong editing skills, audience engagement expertise, enthusiasm for AI innovation, and a passion for public service journalism. They must be committed to developing talent, embracing new storytelling formats and helping a changing and diverse community thrive through accessible, trustworthy news and information.
This is a role for an agile, outcome-oriented leader — someone who knows that high-quality local journalism is evolving and is excited to help shape what comes next.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and mentor a team of reporters focused on service journalism, community engagement and AI-assisted content.
- Oversee the production of a wide range of content, including search-friendly guides, business openings/closings, automated event listings and local news briefs.
- Lead innovation around the responsible integration of AI tools into reporting and publishing workflows.
- Collaborate with product, audience and regional leadership teams to align newsroom output with reader needs and organizational goals.
- Use audience analytics to guide coverage decisions, inform strategy and continually improve engagement.
- Ensure that all content produced by the team meets the highest standards of accuracy, ethics, fairness and impact.
- Serve as a public face for this initiative, representing our journalism to readers, partners and community stakeholders.
Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience successfully leading a newsroom team or project preferred.
- Strong editing skills across formats — breaking news, service journalism, evergreen content, briefs and structured AI-assisted reports.
- Familiarity with using AI tools to enhance reporting, research, automation and publishing workflows.
- Demonstrated success using audience data and SEO best practices to grow readership and engagement.
- Experience coaching reporters in both traditional and innovative storytelling formats.
- Ability to drive a digital-first culture that prioritizes reader needs, inclusivity and community relevance.
- Deep commitment to ethical journalism, diversity, fairness and service to local communities.
- Comfort managing change and operating in a fast-paced, evolving newsroom.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, collaboration, and an ability to inspire others.
Job Requirements
- Some weekend and evening work might be needed, depending on news cycles and community needs.
- This position is based in Fort Worth and involves a hybrid schedule: working from home and from our Fort Worth co-working location.
- College degree or equivalent professional journalism experience.
