🔹 Job Title: Managing Editor of Content Development and Audience Growth, Chron
🔹 Company: Hearst Newspapers
🔹 Location: Houston, Texas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Newspaper Publishing
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
Key aspects of this role include:
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a senior leader with a deep understanding of Houston and its culture, as well as a digital-first mindset and strong editorial skills.
✅ Oversee daily coverage on the site across all verticals, providing direction to senior editors and the audience team to ensure content is compelling for a Houston audience and reflects sound reporting, a creative POV, and distinctive voice for the brand
✅ Develop processes to support a digital-first newsroom, including content calendars, promotional plans, trainings, and more
✅ Be an expert in current trends, issues, and topics affecting Houston, and regularly share those insights and supporting audience data with the newsroom to guide daily newsroom decision-making and the development of new content initiatives
✅ Be a newsroom leader, including running meetings with editors and providing regular feedback to staff, in close collaboration with the Executive Editor
✅ Provide editing support and occasionally write both features and news stories that demonstrate solid reporting and unique storytelling
✅ Plan and maintain an editorial calendar, staff onboarding, trainings, budgets, and other administrative processes
✅ Work closely with editorial leadership to set the editorial tone, assuring daily coverage reflects the brand’s vision and voice
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on editing, and team leadership to drive audience growth and enhance Chron's content.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 7+ years of relevant experience in writing, editing, and managing writers, editors, or producers in publishing or digital media
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in digital media, with a proven track record in managing teams and driving audience growth.
Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Managing Editor role in Houston)
Benefits:
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday - Friday, with flexibility for breaking news and special projects
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research for similar roles in Houston. The benefits package is typical for a mid-sized publishing company.
Industry: Hearst Newspapers is a leading newspaper publishing company with a focus on digital media and audience growth. They operate in a competitive market with a strong emphasis on local news and community engagement.
Company Size: With over 2,500 employees, Hearst Newspapers is a mid-sized company that offers a mix of stability and growth opportunities for its employees.
Founded: 1887, as part of the Hearst Corporation, a diversified media, information, and services company with businesses in major market segments including newspaper publishing, magazine publishing, television broadcasting, cable network programming, newspaper features distribution, television production, newspaper and magazine distribution, and real estate.
Company Description:
Company Specialties:
Company Website: JoinHNP.com
ASSUMPTION: Hearst Newspapers is a well-established company with a strong commitment to journalistic integrity and community engagement. They offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career growth within the organization.
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the Executive Editor. It offers the opportunity to lead a team and drive strategic initiatives to grow Chron's audience and enhance its content.
Reporting Structure: The Managing Editor will report to the Executive Editor and oversee senior editors and the audience team.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a mix of on-site and remote work. The specific work arrangement may vary depending on the needs of the newsroom and the individual's preferences.
Growth Opportunities:
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the organization and develop new skills and expertise.
Office Type: The Hearst Newspapers office in Houston is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and creativity.
Office Location(s): 4747 Southwest Fwy, Houston, Texas 77027, US
Geographic Context:
Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is full-time, with flexibility for breaking news and special projects. The specific work arrangement may vary depending on the needs of the newsroom and the individual's preferences.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Hearst Newspapers is collaborative and supportive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and innovation. The Houston office is centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation.
Typical Process:
Key Assessment Areas:
Application Tips:
ATS Keywords: Managing Editor, Content Development, Audience Growth, Digital-First, Houston, Texas, Newspaper Publishing, Editorial Judgment, News Sense, Leadership, Management, Collaboration, Analytics, SEO
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's editorial judgment, leadership skills, and understanding of the Houston market. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong track record in driving audience growth and enhancing content in a digital-first newsroom.
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role. Candidates should have a strong working knowledge of content management systems, analytics tools, and social media platforms, as well as a basic understanding of SEO and project management tools.
Company Values:
Work Style:
Self-Assessment Questions:
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are a strong cultural fit for Hearst Newspapers will demonstrate a deep understanding of Houston and its culture, as well as a strong commitment to journalistic integrity, innovation, and collaboration. They will also have a digital-first mindset and strong editorial judgment.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common to roles of this nature in the newspaper publishing industry. Successful candidates will have experience managing teams, driving audience growth, and working in a fast-paced news environment.
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on audience growth and engagement, but shares many similarities with other Managing Editor positions in digital-first newsrooms. Successful candidates will have experience driving audience growth and engagement in a digital-first newsroom and be able to adapt to the specific needs of the Houston market.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to illustrate the key responsibilities and required skills for this role. Successful candidates will have experience developing and implementing content strategies, launching new initiatives, and using data to inform decision-making in a digital-first newsroom.
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the specific needs of the Chron newsroom, the company's approach to collaboration and innovation, and the opportunities for growth and development within the organization. Successful candidates will use these insights to tailor their application and interview responses to the specific needs of the role.
To apply for this position:
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.