Job Details
Job Overview
The Milwaukee Business Journal Editor in Chief (EIC), as the highest-ranking newsroom leader, is primarily responsible for driving product strategy and product quality across all platforms, and for relentlessly building an audience. The EIC is expected to show an insatiable desire and proven ability to drive audience loyalty and growth, especially in the digital arena. The EIC must be equally at home in both the print and digital spheres - but leadership and innovation must be particularly pronounced on digital platforms where business journals have the most growth potential.
The EIC position is far-reaching and demanding, with competencies and responsibilities that include:
- Molding, then generating, best-of-breed media products
- Serving as a key public face for the organization
- Mentoring and developing talent
- Knowledgeably optimizing digital content reach and impact
- Hands-on editing and content shaping
- Constant innovation
- Aggressive marketing of the product, its offerings, and its people
Job ResponsibilitiesTo be successful, the EIC must possess sharp hard news instincts, have a burning curiosity about business and people, a deft editing hand and be equal parts leader, entrepreneur and marketer.
The EIC will lead the MBJ newsroom along with a Managing Editor (ME). The ME will report directly to the Editor in Chief and will be responsible for the production of our print and media products on all platforms, as well as share audience-growth objectives and goals. As part of the leadership team, the EIC fills a critical position in the Business Journal organization and in collaboration with the Market President Publisher helps identify and address new business and audience opportunities to extend the brand, be it in print, online, social media, events, video or other. The EIC is expected to attend key client presentations and MBJ Signature events. The EIC's role in these gatherings is to represent the product and articulate the content and audience strategies.
- Create content and product vision. The EIC must define a clear and compelling vision for the look, feel and voice of our portfolio of products, including the existing weekly print newspaper, daily emails, website, signature content events, tablet and mobile.
- Change agent. Must drive staff adaptation to new mediums, new platforms, new skill sets, new story forms, new ways of doing things. Persuasively, diplomatically, strategically, the EIC must guide the business journal operation into new markets, new competencies, and new areas of opportunity.
- Newsroom leader. It is paramount that the EIC take a proactive, hands-on approach in developing and leading the reporting staff. Our ability to produce products that connect with our audiences stems directly from the EIC's interaction with, and direction of, the reporting team.
- The Office of the Editor and, by extension, the EIC, shares cross-departmental responsibility for growing our print, digital and event audiences. This demands a close relationship with our audience through attendance at MBJ events, community speaking opportunities and Editor's Notebooks.
- Ensure vitality of print through thoughtful packaging, long-form journalism, exclusive interviews.
- Work closely with Market President Publisher, Advertising Director, Events Director to create business and marketing plans for the company.
- Seek out content syndication channels and partnerships for Business Journal content.
- National editorial and News Initiatives - EIC will be the primary newsroom conduit between the local market and ACBJ-corporate.
- Meet or exceed goals relating to audience-engagement such as page views, unique users, repeat visits, direct traffic, social media followings and growth, paid print subscribership, email newsletter circulation growth, event attendance, and other such measures.
- Participate in and attend Business Journal sponsored events.
- Take on any other assignment made by Market President Publisher and other department heads.
- Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all colleagues and professionally with sources.
Skills & ExperienceBachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Minimum of 5 to 7 years of management and/or team leadership experience required
Daily, and preferably, weekly print experience for a business news operation
Experience working in a digital news environment
Beat reporter experience
Inspiring, yet diplomatic
Innovative, curious, collaborative
Eager to connect directly with readers/audience
Must be comfortable and thrive in rapidly changing and uncharted media environment
Additional Job InformationThe well-being of our employees is paramount. For that reason, ACBJ offers a variety of rich and competitive benefits including bundled health, dental and vision plans designed to meet our employees' needs. We also provide programs to support mental health and wellness and a generous time-off policy in support of taking the time needed to recharge.
Here are just a few of our programs:
* Paid Parental Leave
* 401K Plan with Employer Match
* Flexible Spending Accounts
* Employee Assistance Program
* Multiple Employee Dependent Scholarship Programs
* Commuter Flexible Spending
* Lifestyle Programs (Including incentives for healthy habits)
* Medical Infertility Services
* Corporate discount programs
* Employee Recognition/Service Awards
* And so much more!
(Benefits coverage indicated above may be based on employee participation in benefit programs and eligibility)
Compliance StatementThis Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable city, state or federal law. Appropriate CDC guidelines are being followed for the protection of our employees and customers.