Managing Editor of Content Development and Audience Growth, Chron

📌 Core Information

🔹 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: Media & Journalism

🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving newsroom coverage across various channels to capture Houston's unique culture and spark conversation
• Overseeing the audience team to deliver results and grow Chron's audience both on- and off-platform
• Collaborating with editors to develop coverage plans and special content initiatives that resonate with Houstonians
• Coaching editors and providing regular feedback to ensure high-quality, accurate, and timely content

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 analytical skills to drive audience growth.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Oversee daily coverage on the site across all verticals, ensuring content is compelling for a Houston audience and reflects sound reporting, a creative POV, and a distinctive voice for the brand

✅ Develop processes to support a digital-first newsroom, including content calendars, promotional plans, trainings, and more

✅ Serve as 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: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing editorial teams, strong news judgment, and the ability to use data to make editorial decisions.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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:

• Excellent reporting, writing, and editing skills
• Excellent news judgment and understanding of both media ethics and AP Style
• Strong analytical skills and an ability to use data to make editorial decisions
• Experience managing or mentoring other writers
• Facility with content management systems, analytics tools like Google Trends, social media platforms, and other publishing tools

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in, and understanding of, Texas

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in Texas and a deep understanding of its culture will be highly sought after for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a Managing Editor role in Houston)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday-Friday, with flexibility for breaking news and special projects

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Managing Editor role in Houston. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Hearst Newspapers is part of the larger media industry, focusing on local news, advertising, and digital services. The company operates in a competitive market, with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, relevant content to its audience.

Company Size: Hearst Newspapers has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized work environment that offers opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: The Hearst Corporation was founded in 1887 by William Randolph Hearst, with Hearst Newspapers being a significant division within the corporation.

Company Description:

• Hearst Newspapers is a division of the Hearst Corporation, focusing on local news and digital media
• The company publishes 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, as well as several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites
• Hearst Newspapers is committed to investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories, growing newsrooms, and diversifying tools and platforms to support its audience

Company Specialties:

• Local news and journalism
• Digital media and audience growth
• Marketing services and advertising
• Entertainment businesses, such as King Features Syndicate

Company Website: hearstmediact.com

ASSUMPTION: Hearst Newspapers is committed to investing in its employees' growth and development, providing opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring extensive experience in managing editorial teams and driving audience growth.

Reporting Structure: The Managing Editor will report directly to the Executive Editor and work closely with other editors within the newsroom.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring on-site work in Houston, Texas, with flexibility for remote work as needed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to an executive-level position within the newsroom or the broader Hearst Corporation
• Expanding responsibilities to oversee additional publications or digital platforms
• Developing expertise in digital media and audience growth strategies

ASSUMPTION: The Managing Editor role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to advance their career within the Hearst Corporation.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The Hearst Newspapers office in Houston is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate creativity and productivity.

Office Location(s): 301 Merritt 7, Suite 1, Norwalk, Connecticut, US, and 100 Gando Dr, New Haven, Connecticut, US

Geographic Context:

• Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States, with a diverse population and vibrant culture
• The city is known for its strong economy, driven by industries such as energy, healthcare, and aerospace
• Houston is home to numerous cultural institutions, including the Houston Museum District and the Theater District

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is Monday-Friday, with flexibility for breaking news and special projects. The role may require occasional weekend or evening work to cover major news events.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Hearst Newspapers is fast-paced and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Final interview with the Executive Editor
• Background check and reference verification

Key Assessment Areas:

• Journalistic skills and experience
• Leadership and management abilities
• Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
• Cultural fit and alignment with Hearst Newspapers' values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Include specific examples of your ability to drive audience growth and manage editorial teams
• Demonstrate your understanding of Houston's culture and trends in your application materials
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, focusing on the company's growth plans and opportunities for professional development

ATS Keywords: Managing Editor, Content Development, Audience Growth, Digital Media, Newsroom, Editorial, Houston, Texas, AP Style, Media Ethics, Analytics, Data-Driven Decision Making

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may be competitive, and candidates should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
• Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Trends)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Publishing tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with various content management systems, analytics tools, and publishing tools, as well as a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Quality
• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Committed to delivering high-quality, relevant content to the audience

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a deep understanding of Houston's culture and trends?
• Are you comfortable managing and mentoring other writers and editors?
• Do you have strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to make editorial decisions?
• Are you a collaborative team player, committed to delivering high-quality content to the audience?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Hearst Newspapers' values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a diverse team of writers and editors with varying levels of experience and expertise
• Balancing the demands of daily news coverage with long-term content initiatives and audience growth strategies
• Adapting to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the newsroom environment
• Maintaining a strong work-life balance while managing a senior-level role

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to navigate these challenges effectively, demonstrating strong leadership, management, and communication skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Managing Editor positions within the media industry, but with a focus on driving audience growth and digital-first content strategies
• Compared to other editorial roles, this position requires a stronger emphasis on analytics and data-driven decision-making
• Career progression in this role may lead to executive-level positions within the newsroom or the broader Hearst Corporation

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles within the media industry to better understand the requirements and expectations of this position.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a content calendar to drive audience growth and engagement
• Analyzing audience data to identify trends and inform editorial decision-making
• Managing a team of writers and editors to cover breaking news events and special content initiatives

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with similar projects and be able to provide specific examples of their accomplishments in their application materials.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure and growth plans for Hearst Newspapers?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and career advancement within the company?
• How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
• What is the company's approach to innovation and adaptation in the digital media landscape?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, focusing on the company's growth plans, opportunities for professional development, and the work environment.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, focusing on the company's growth plans and opportunities for professional development
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.