Job Details

Managing Editor, Here & Now

Position Number: 9775017
Location: Boston, United States
Position Type: Broadcasting, Radio, and Television

Managing Editor, Here & Now

Job Description
Managing Editor, Here & Now
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Category
Charles River Campus --> Professional
Job Location
Boston, MA, United States
Tracking Code
26501032290810
Posted Date
8/18/2026
Salary Grade
Grade 51
Expected Hiring Range Minimum
$120,375.00
Expected Hiring Range Maximum
$168,525.00

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

THE OPPORTUNITY

Here & Now is one of public radio's most trusted and widely distributed programs - reaching 5 million listeners weekly across 500 member stations. At a moment when public media is navigating profound shifts in how audiences consume news, how trust is built, and how journalism integrity is upheld, this role is pivotal.

WBUR is seeking a Managing Editor to help shape Here & Now's editorial vision, standards, and content strategy across multiple platforms while building an exceptional editorial team. This is a rare opportunity to shape a program with deep audience trust and national reach - and to help define what authoritative, accessible public-interest journalism looks like for the next decade.

This position is based in Boston and reports to the Here & Now Executive Producer.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Managing Editor is Here & Now's editorial conscience and operating backbone. You will:

Drive cross-platform storytelling that multiplies impact and reaches diverse audiences
Lead aspects of the program's daily editorial execution while stewarding longer-term content strategy
Lead a high-performing editorial team with hiring, development, and coaching
Champion the highest editorial standards across all platforms - broadcast, digital, podcast, social, and video
Translate between immediate operational needs (breaking news at 11:47am) and strategic thinking (audience engagement strategies that compound over years)
You thrive in fast-moving, mission-driven environments where journalism integrity is non-negotiable and impact is measurable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

JOURNALISTIC LEADERSHIP & EDITORIAL STANDARDS (40%)

Editorial Authority & Quality Assurance

Own Here & Now's editorial standards across all outputs: broadcast, digital, podcast, social, video, and emerging platforms
Serve as editorial backstop for significant stories: review and approve editorial decisions, navigate sensitive coverage, and ensure journalism is defensible at every touchpoint
Edit scripts, guide story framing, and provide real-time editorial counsel to producers and hosts during broadcasts and breaking news
Maintain fluency in NPR, WBUR, and industry editorial standards; ensure consistent application across the team
Represent Here & Now's editorial voice and standards to member stations, NPR, and external partners

Manage Enterprise & Impact Reporting

Oversee development of high-impact enterprise journalism and special series (e.g., Reverse Course)
Ensure the program's best stories reach the broadest audiences through multimedia distribution - working with the national Digital Team, NPR network colleagues, and member station partners
Liaise with Member Partnerships to identify editorial-driven revenue opportunities
Champion use of new technologies and formats to enhance reporting: video, interactive visuals, podcasting, and emerging storytelling approaches

CONTENT STRATEGY & CROSS-PLATFORM GROWTH (30%)

Strategic Vision & Audience Development

In partnership with the Executive Producer, develop and steward a content strategy that serves existing audiences while growing reach across diverse communities and platforms
Lead cross-platform editorial thinking: expand story development from broadcast to social, digital, podcast, and video
Partner with WBUR's Digital Team for National Shows to evolve editorial and audience development strategies
Champion data-informed editorial decision-making: use audience analytics, performance metrics, and engagement data to surface insights and inform coverage priorities
Monitor news landscape, audience preferences, and editorial trends to keep Here & Now relevant, distinctive, and essential

Daily Editorial Planning & Priorities

Set story priorities for the show in collaboration with executive producer and senior managing editor
Oversee editorial planning workflows to ensure seamless daily execution
Coordinate with host producers on off-air week work to align with show priorities and longer-term strategy
Manage seasonal coverage and major news events planning (elections, breaking news, etc.)

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT (30%)

Hiring, Management & Development

Directly manage editorial staff (producers, editors, reporters). Set clear expectations, deliver timely feedback, and invest in each person's growth
Hire deliberately for editorial excellence and cultural fit; build inclusive, high-performing teams
Conduct regular 1-on-1s and annual performance reviews; create clear paths for advancement
Identify and develop future leaders within the editorial team
Foster a culture of editorial excellence, curiosity, and continuous improvement
Work closely with hosts, executive producer, managing producer for digital, and senior managing editor to maintain efficient, high-quality daily production

Required Skills

KEY COMPETENCIES & SELECTION CRITERIA

Required

8+ years of professional journalism experience with a demonstrated record of upholding rigorous standards - accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency
At least 3 years in a senior editorial leadership role (managing desk, editorial management, or equivalent)
Strong editorial judgment across hard news, politics, features, breaking coverage, and live broadcast environments
Working knowledge of broadcast journalism, digital storytelling, and multimedia formats

Proven ability to set and enforce editorial standards without being doctrinaire; balance consistency with flexibility and fairness
Diplomatic under pressure; manage competing stakeholder interests (hosts, producers, stations, leadership) with clarity and composure
Excellent communication skills; translate complex editorial and strategic decisions for individuals, leadership, and partners

Preferred

Experience in public media, nonprofit journalism, or NPR ecosystem with an understanding of member station relationships
Track record of leading teams through organizational or platform change
Experience with podcast production, digital-first strategies, or multimedia content strategy
Hands-on data analytics experience and comfort with editorial management platforms
Familiarity with audience membership and revenue models in public media

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Skills

Job Location: Boston, MA
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
Salary Grade: $120,375.00-$168,525.00

To apply, visit https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/317186