Editor-in-chief

Central Current, a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news organization based in Syracuse, New York, is seeking an editor-in-chief to lead its growing newsroom and advance its mission of producing in-depth journalism that helps Central New Yorkers understand the challenges and opportunities facing their communities. The editor-in-chief will set the newsroom’s long-term editorial vision and oversee daily editorial operations.

Summary

The editor-in-chief is Central Current’s senior editorial leader and primary editor. They will plan the editorial calendar, establish coverage priorities, oversees story development and production, and ensure that journalism is reported, edited and published according to rigorous professional and ethical standards.

The editor-in-chief translates Central Current’s mission into a practical daily editorial strategy that reflects organizational capacity and addresses critical community needs. They will expand the depth and breadth of Central Current’s reporting, develop creative approaches to growing and diversifying its audience, and strengthen readers’ trust in the newsroom.

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• Reports to: Board of Directors /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Supervises: Editorial staff, freelancers and editorial contractors /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Classification: Full-time, exempt /wp:list-item

Job duties

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• Lead the assignment, development, editing and publication of Central Current’s journalism across all platforms. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Serve as the publication’s primary editor, including line editing and final editorial review when appropriate. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Plan the editorial calendar, set coverage priorities, and manage newsroom workflows and deadlines, including editorial execution of newsletters and social media content. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Ensure that Central Current’s journalism is fair, accurate, thoroughly sourced and consistent with applicable legal and ethical standards. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Oversee corrections and related editorial policies. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Work closely with the executive director to coordinate newsroom operations, plan events and advance the organization’s audience engagement strategy. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Collaborate on internal communications with staff and the board, and conduct staff performance reviews as needed. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Develop and approve editorial collaborations with other news organizations and identify new distribution opportunities. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Monitor regional news coverage and trends in nonprofit journalism to inform Central Current’s operations, strategy and identity. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Attract, develop and retain editorial talent through inclusive recruiting and a newsroom culture that is empowering, respectful and accountable. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Mentor emerging reporters and support the professional development of staff and contributors. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Participate in developing the newsroom budget and manage editorial spending within the approved organizational budget. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Generate and evaluate ideas for new editorial strategies, technologies, products and approaches to reaching audiences. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Track relevant analytics and other data concerning Central Current’s reach and impact. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Represent Central Current at events, interviews and other public-facing opportunities that promote the organization and advance its mission. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Report to the board of directors and consult with the board on matters involving Central Current’s mission, purpose, policies and strategic direction. /wp:list-item

Qualifications

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• Degree in journalism or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• At least five years of professional newsroom experience. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Significant editing experience, including line editing, story development and management of complex or sensitive reporting. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Experience with investigative and explanatory journalism and comfort overseeing arts and culture coverage. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Experience leading journalists and managing newsroom workflows, deadlines and competing priorities. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Demonstrated commitment to accuracy, fairness, editorial independence and high ethical standards. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Experience developing editorial talent and fostering an inclusive, collaborative workplace. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Experience with digital journalism and publishing across multiple formats and platforms. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Ability to develop and manage a newsroom budget and make sound resource allocation decisions. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Strong writing, speaking and public presentation skills. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Knowledge of Central New York or the curiosity and commitment to develop deep knowledge of the region. /wp:list-item

Core competencies

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• Thoughtful news judgment and top-tier editing skills. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Ability to think strategically about the methods and goals of local, nonprofit and multimedia journalism. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Leadership that combines coaching, accountability, collaboration and clear standards. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a flexible, evolving work environment. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Respect for the diversity of Central New York and a commitment to coverage that reflects the region’s many communities. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the executive director, board and newsroom colleagues. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Sound judgment concerning editorial risk, reputation, fairness and independence. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Curiosity about new technologies, distribution methods, and approaches to audience development. /wp:list-item

Working conditions

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• Work is performed primarily in person at Central Current’s offices in downtown Syracuse. The editor-in-chief may work remotely at their discretion, consistent with newsroom needs. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Typical work hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a one-hour meal period. Evening or weekend work may be required to cover significant breaking news or oversee Central Current events and programs. /wp:list-item

Compensation and benefits

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• Salary range: $70,000 to $80,000 annually. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Fifteen days of paid vacation to start, plus five sick days and 15 holidays each year, for at least 35 paid days off annually. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Paid family leave. See the Central Current Employee Handbook for details. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Annual professional development stipend of at least $1,000. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Employer-paid health insurance for the employee, including medical, vision and dental coverage and enrollment in a health savings account. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Company-supplied computer. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance. Long-term disability coverage begins after one year of employment. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• $60 monthly phone stipend or a company phone. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• 2% employer retirement contribution, subject to applicable plan eligibility requirements. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• $2,000 moving stipend. /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• Other fringe benefits made available to similarly situated Central Current employees, subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plans and programs. /wp:list-item

About Central Current

Central Current launched in 2022 to equip Central New Yorkers with better information about their communities. We want readers to feel prepared when they enter the voting booth, informed about projects and investments shaping the region, and connected to the opportunities and challenges Central New Yorkers share.

Our newsroom publishes independent, ad-free reporting focused exclusively on the community. We do not place articles behind a paywall because everyone deserves access to reliable local reporting.

Central Current is a nonprofit sustained by readers, grants from local and national sources, and local underwriting rather than advertising revenue. Donations to the newsroom remain in the community and directly support our reporting.

At a time of widespread distrust in the news media, we work to rebuild trust locally through transparent, accessible and fact-based journalism.

Central Current has received 25 Syracuse Press Club awards, including first prize for investigative journalism in 2025.

About Syracuse and Central New York

Central New York is a diverse and rapidly changing region. For the first time since 1950, the population is beginning to grow and in 2024 Onondaga County resettled more refugees than any other county in New York State. From the urban center of Syracuse to the surrounding towns, farms, and forests — it is undergoing some of the most significant private and public sector investments in the state through projects like:

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• A $100 billion investment by Micron for semiconductor manufacturing facilities /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• The removal of a highway viaduct built during urban renewal /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• A billion-dollar redevelopment of public housing /wp:list-item wp:list-item

• The construction of a $100 million aquarium in the Inner Harbor. /wp:list-item

Syracuse is home to four colleges and universities including Syracuse University’s S. I. Newhouse School of Communications — one of the top journalism schools in the nation. Central New York’s thriving arts and culture scene provides access to outdoor music festivals all summer, multiple theaters, an expanding array of restaurants, and visual arts venues ranging from the Everson Museum downtown to the Stone Quarry Art Park in Cazenovia.

At the same time, Syracuse has some of the most concentrated child and minority poverty in the United States. Its aging infrastructure demands costly repair and reconstruction while posing public health challenges through hazards like the lead crisis and the pollution at Onondaga Lake.

It is a beautiful community with great challenges and greater opportunities.

Mission

Central Current’s mission is to educate through the application of sound journalistic principles to fact-based news, opinion and analysis about the issues, events and life of Central New York; contribute to an educated and well-informed electorate; and strengthen civic engagement and democratic governance.

Equal opportunity statement

Central Current Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Central Current prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

How to apply

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Interested applicants should email a resume and cover letter to Executive Director Maximilian Eyle at [email protected] with "Editor-in-chief application" as the subject line.