Local News Editor

Req #44985

Salem, OR, USA

Job Description

Posted Saturday, September 27, 2025, 2:00 AM

|Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through MyApps|

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com

The Statesman Journal/statesmanjournal.com, the leading news organization for a diverse region based in Salem, Oregon and part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an energetic editor to champion and own breaking news, public safety, trending and service journalism across Salem and Oregon. This editor is dedicated to delivering a timely and informative daily news report while driving engagement and audience growth.

A thorough understanding of public records, open meeting laws, and data analysis supports our mission to deliver reliable information to Salem and the surrounding communities. Salem is located between the Oregon Coast and Cascade Mountain ranges in the mid-Willamette Valley, famed for its agricultural land including hundreds of vineyards and wineries. The capital city is about one hour south of Portland, one hour north of Eugene and an hour west of the stunning Oregon Coast.

This editor’s team will ensure the Statesman Journal remains Salem’s trusted source for local audiences. Collaboration with other editors, digital producers, and photographers is key to maintaining our newsroom’s commitment to serving the region’s news needs in real time and across all channels.

Our ideal candidate has a proven track record of identifying breaking and trending news and delivering coverage that serves readers. They possess excellent news judgment, the ability to supervise quick-turn daily coverage, and a passion for guiding reporters toward impactful storytelling that informs and inspires the public. This editor uses audience metrics and digital insights to ensure coverage is relevant, engaging, and accessible, with particular attention to urgent public safety and community news.

This editor will be adept at coaching journalists, helping them refine their reporting and writing, manage their beats and leverage multimedia storytelling to reach audiences wherever they are. Previous experience in government, crime, and public safety coverage is highly valued.

Responsibilities:

Leading the coverage of breaking, trending, and public safety news, while managing a team of reporters.
Developing and overseeing service journalism that delivers timely, useful information to diverse audiences.
Driving innovative storytelling in all formats—written, video, audio, and graphics—to enhance multimedia engagement.
Coaching and consulting with journalists to elevate coverage quality and responsiveness.
Identifying and fulfilling training needs to support a dynamic, multimedia-focused newsroom.
Supervising simultaneous production of print and digital news products with emphasis on immediacy and relevance.
Collaborating with editors across the USA TODAY Network on best practices and regional multi-site initiatives.
Working evenings and weekends to ensure round-the-clock coverage of critical news developments.

Requirements:

Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 5 years of journalism experience, with at least 2 years in newsroom editing and leadership roles.
Command of media law, libel law, open records law, and ethical standards.
Strong planning and organizational skills, and a proven ability to lead teams in delivering urgent, high-impact news coverage.
Expertise in managing multiple tasks and balancing daily news demands with long-term strategic audience growth.
Ability to make complex stories accessible, with a keen sense for identifying and communicating urgent local issues.
Experience in harnessing public records and data to inform coverage and answer community questions.
Advanced storytelling skills with emphasis on multimedia engagement.
Expert knowledge of audience metrics, social media, and SEO principles for maximizing reach and engagement.
Self-motivation and ability to adapt to the evolving needs of a modern newsroom.
Mastery of writing, spelling, grammar, AP and local style.
Able to multitask and excel under the pressures of rapid, deadline-driven coverage.
Understanding of the changing media landscape and a strategic approach to audience and market needs.
Strong competitive instincts, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to public service journalism.
Ability to manage and motivate a high-performing newsroom team.
Knowledge of Salem and Oregon communities is a plus.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single PDF document file that includes the following, in this order:

Your resume – one to two pages.

A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job and contribute to leading breaking, trending, and service journalism in Salem and Oregon.

Links to 3-6 online samples of your work, highlighting your experience with multimedia and public safety coverage.

Names and contact information for 2 references, including at least one person who has supervised your work.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com.

Job Details

Job Family

Media

Job Function

Content Production

Pay Type

Salary

Education Level

Equivalent Experience

Gannett

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