Assistant News Editor

Job Description

Job Description

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is one of the nation's largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.

Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY

The night assistant news editor is responsible for running the Sun-Times' news coverage in the evenings. The editor will oversee the work of General Assignment reporters on the News Desk by assigning them stories, guiding their reporting and editing their news copy for print and online to ensure it meets our standards of excellence. The editor will work Tuesday through Saturday nights.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Editing stories in a fast-paced environment for publication online and in print.
• Coordinating coverage with our topic desks, in some cases making sure a story of interest is assigned, or making reporters available to work with other teams.
• Staying on top of breaking news stories and monitoring coverage by other media to evaluate for potential Sun-Times coverage. Regularly reviewing social media, email inboxes and elsewhere for story ideas, possible sources and other communications.
• Working with our audience team to make sure stories get their maximum readership with strong headlines, internal and related links and other SEO-friendly tactics.
• Communicating with the print production desk to ensure all stories are moved for print in a timely manner.
• Keeping in touch with audio editors at WBEZ to keep up with planned coverage, look for opportunities for collaboration, share sources and cross-post stories.
• Having a sharp eye for spotting typos and holes in news stories.
• Assisting with the supervisory duties of the wire desk, including maintaining our databases and training general assignment reporters and part-time staff.
• Showing mastery of English grammar and AP style and our internal style guide.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years of experience as a News Editor.
• Ability to work an evening and weekend schedule (Tuesday - Saturday).
• Outstanding news judgment and experience leading journalists to produce work of distinction and community impact.
• Demonstrated passion for leading creative daily news coverage.
• Ability to conceptualize and edit news stories for content, accuracy, pacing, ideas, narrative and voice.
• Fluency and enthusiasm for multiplatform journalism.
• Deep commitment to the highest standards of journalistic ethics and the mission of public media.
• Ability to articulate your own ideas precisely and concisely – and to cultivate the strong ideas that come from other editors and reporters.
• Strong relationship builder and naturally collaborative leader. Experience leading and inspiring diverse, inclusive teams to excellence.
• Knowledge of the Chicago region's rich diversity of stories, sectors and communities is very helpful.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, humanities or related field

COMPENSATION

The expected pay range for this position is $77,214 to $85,000 per ANNUM. The position is also eligible for an additional 10 percent of the base salary when working a night shift.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

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, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

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 employees at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are 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.