Supervising Senior Editor, Foreign Desk

The Supervising Senior Editor is the editorial leader of NPR’s Foreign Desk supervising the content, integrity and quality of coverage from 17 overseas bureaus and Washington, DC. The SSE is also a key leader in informing and executing the overall strategy for foreign news in conjunction with the News Desk and Digital News. He/she works closely with senior NPR management on important issues, including newsroom convergence and sponsorship/development. The Supervising Senior Editor also administers the Foreign Desk in strict adherence to union contracts and NPR standards.


Essential Duties Include:


A. Responsible for overall supervision of foreign coverage.

• Sets the editorial direction of foreign coverage as one of the signature elements of NPR News.
• Works closely with the Managing Editor, News, and uses applicable resources to institute and maintain safety protocols for field-based staff, and to ensure regular training for staff working in hostile environments.
• Supervises the editorial product and the staff that produces it.
• Works closely with the Managing Editors, News and Digital News, to ensure broadcast and digital news share information and resources in efficient and timely ways.
• Maintains close relationships with show Executive Producers and Desk Supervising Senior Editors to ensure coordinated coverage and staffing.
• Ensures that all material aired meets NPR standards and practices, including standards of fairness, objectivity and balance.
• Ensures high-quality reportage, writing, consistent style and production excellence in foreign coverage.
• Works closely with Director, News Operations, and Director, Engineering. Must be diligent in keeping abreast of new technology and products so that NPR can adopt new work practices to improve coverage.
• Supervises systems for smooth pass-offs from shift to shift around the clock.

B. Supervises Foreign Desk staff.

• Directs chain of responsibility with Deputy Supervising Senior Editor to distribute duties and establish accountability for all phases of the operation.
• Maintains work schedules for unit members in compliance with union contracts and with back-up contingencies for leave, illness and other absences.
• Provides verbal and written critiques to staff.
• Monitors Foreign Desk coverage in a consistent manner.
• Regularly have critical discussions about foreign coverage with the staff and with the Managing Editor, News.
• Evaluates Foreign Desk staff performance and ensures each staff member receives an annual performance review.
• Develops and administers writing and editing tests for potential on-air staff members.
• Makes hiring and salary recommendations for Foreign Desk staff, and negotiates contracts, in conjunction with Office of the General Counsel, for overseas staff.

C. Develops and maintains relationships with news sources and other news organizations.

• Directs editors and correspondents to develop and maintain a list of freelance news and/or contract reporters in areas uncovered by NPR staff and/or as back-up to existing staff.
• Works with Managing Editor, News, and Director, News Operations, to maintain relationships with counterparts at other news organizations to develop cooperative agreements (e.g. housing/bureaus) on coverage and breaking news events.

D. Plans and monitors the Foreign Desk annual budgets and spending.


E. Fills in for staff as needed.


F. Performs other administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

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Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills:

• At least 12 years of journalism editorial experience, including working overseas.
• A minimum of seven years experience in a senior editorial and supervisory position in an international news organization.
• Strong leadership skills: the ability to set a new course for the Foreign Desk and to guide the staff through it.
• Demonstrated strong management and supervisory skills, including the ability to coach, empower and listen.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with other news leaders, as well as other divisions in the development of new products and new ways to reach the NPR community.
• A creative mind and a keen understanding of the NPR sensibility and mission of public radio.
• Willingness to learn new skills and lead the staff in constant learning and innovation.
• Experience maintaining high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of objectivity, balance and fairness.
• Significant skills in planning and scheduling in a union environment.
• Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities and conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.

Preferred Skills:

• Radio experience in editing and production.
• Familiarity with blogging and Web 2.0 functionalities.
• Ability and willingness to relocate.

Contact Details

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Contact:

Gisele Grayson

Email:

ggrayson@npr.org