The Trace seeks a versatile and meticulous journalist, team-builder, and problem-solver to join our newsroom in the critical role of managing editor.

This is an opportunity to become part of our five-year-old nonprofit media organization at an exciting point in its evolution. As the only team of reporters and editors dedicated to covering gun violence, we use the power of journalism to improve public understanding, increase accountability, and identify solutions that can lead to safer homes and communities for everyone. Our stories address the range of topics that intersect with the issue — special interests and firearm trafficking, police violence and government investment priorities, the ripple effects of gun violence on communities, structural inequalities and emerging interventions, to name a few. More than 175 different media partners have co-published our work.

The managing editor plays an important role in maximizing our impact, collaborating with senior leadership on strategy and priorities. At The Trace, we are committed to producing journalism that is equitable and inclusive. We welcome applications from journalists of all experience levels and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.

At our growing, 16-person organization, this is a job that involves wearing multiple hats, but the essential responsibilities and qualifications for the position include:

• First and foremost: Taking care of our people. Our brilliant and dogged journalists cover a challenging beat with skill and resolve. The managing editor works with our other editors and our newsroom operations coordinator to ensure they have the support, tools, and troubleshooting help they need. This includes managing our performance review process, organizing trainings, and leading workplace culture initiatives. In the role, you’ll also be heavily involved in our efforts to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive team.
• The managing editor supervises the engagement and community editors. An interest in how nonprofit journalism can best reach, inform, serve, and motivate audiences is a plus. Most important is a track record of helping colleagues thrive.
• Another core component of the position is leading some of our critical processes. You’ll keep the copy flowing (we publish two to four articles per week) and the meetings snappy while making sure we’re on track with longer-term objectives, like annual newsroom goals and grant agreements.
• Where we can invest our resources or our time more effectively, you’ll identify and implement those improvements.
• Because the quality of our work is imperative, you might also step in to provide another set of eyes on articles and sensitive company communications.
• You can be flexible when the moment requires — but you’re relentless in helping to ensure everything we produce meets our high standards.
• Along with your individual journalism superpower, you excel at supporting and facilitating collaboration and thoughtful experimentation.

Along with those responsibilities, the position includes opportunities to help shape stories and special projects throughout the editorial process, from pitch meetings to manuscript review to headlining to final production. We’re also open to candidates interested in contributing their skills, knowledge, and curiosity to an aspect of our ongoing coverage (such as our newsletters, homepage, or search engine optimization).

We know that all of the attributes and interests listed here won’t apply to all candidates. If you think you’d be a great fit and have skills and qualifications we may have left out of this listing, we encourage you to submit an application and tell us why you’d thrive in the role.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone at The Trace is working from home until it makes sense to return to an office. Much of our staff is based in NYC, but this position can be based anywhere in the continental U.S.

To apply

Please send your resume and a letter (two pages, tops) sketching how you’d approach the job to info@thetrace.org.

The Trace offers competitive salaries and benefits, including no-premium health insurance for 2020.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis, with a deadline of October 16.