Cohort Manager, Health Reporting

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.


Departmental Overview

Berkeley Journalism is home to the groundbreaking California Local News Fellowship program, the largest publicly-funded journalism program in the country. As the program evolves, it is launching issue-focused cohorts, beginning with a health reporting initiative to expand high-impact coverage in communities facing significant health inequities.

The Health Reporting Cohort Manager will join our program team to lead this initiative. This role will guide a cohort of health fellows producing urgent, community-centered reporting in underserved regions, while also strengthening the fellowship as a whole. The position will provide editing support to fellows, build relationships with newsroom editors, and lead collaboration among fellows and partner newsrooms.

A central responsibility is overseeing the fellowship's partnership with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, including coordinating training, integrating public health expertise into reporting, and supporting fellows enrolled in the School's continuing education program.

The Health Reporting Cohort Manager will also help select fellows and newsroom partners, shape training and mentoring, and ensure a rigorous, impactful fellowship experience.


Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 10, 2026


Responsibilities

Fellowship Design, Selection, and Program Management

• Participates in the selection and matching of newsrooms and fellows for the California Local News Fellowship, ensuring alignment between fellow skills, newsroom needs, and community impact goals.
• Partners with program staff to design and manage the fellowship experience, including structure, expectations, and overall program delivery.
• Oversees the UC Berkeley School of Public Health component, including curriculum coordination, integration of subject-matter expertise, and fellow support in the academic program.
• Documents training and contributes to program improvement by synthesizing feedback, identifying gaps, and recommending enhancements to program design and delivery.

Coaching, Mentorship, and Fellow Development

• Acts as a coach, mentor, and troubleshooter to support fellows' and newsrooms' success, including addressing performance challenges, navigating workplace dynamics, and resolving conflicts.
• Assesses fellows' reporting abilities and develops targeted support plans, including individualized coaching, skill-building interventions, and structured development plans. Provides career coaching and professional development support, including guidance on career pathways, job search strategies, and post-fellowship planning.
• Works with cohort managers to deliver training programs that address common needs (e.g., writing, reporting, data use, and professional skills).

Editorial Support

• Designs and executes editing support in coordination with newsroom editors, ensuring fellows receive consistent, high-quality editorial feedback.
• Leads editorial guidance on health reporting, ensuring accuracy, ethical standards, and effective use of data and public health expertise.
• Leads collaborative reporting across fellows and newsroom partners, especially on statewide health issues, facilitating coordination, shared storytelling, and impact.

Partnerships, Communication, and Stakeholder Management

• Builds relationships with newsroom editors and manages communication strategy to ensure alignment, responsiveness, and strong partnerships across participating organizations.
• Serves as a key liaison between fellows, newsroom partners, and program leadership, proactively addressing issues, aligning expectations, and maintaining program cohesion.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of local news editing experience, and/or equivalent combination of skills/knowledge.
• Understanding of small newsroom dynamics.
• General understanding of California communities and their information needs.
• Experience with or strong familiarity with health, science, or data-driven reporting.
• Experience editing text stories; multimedia experience is a plus.
• Experience mentoring early-career journalists.
• Experience designing and leading journalism training or workshops.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and program management abilities.
• Commitment to a collaborative, mission-driven team.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Experience editing early-career journalists and tailoring support to specific reporting needs.
• Familiarity with health disparities and the needs of underserved communities.
• Experience leading or participating in collaborative, multi-newsroom reporting projects.
• Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time, career position.

This position is eligible for the full range of UC benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $95,000 - $125,000 annually.


Other Information

This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for SV.

This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.


How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.


Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace


Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.