Supervising Editor, Health Policy

This is a Full Time Job

OVERVIEW

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

NPR is looking for a smart, enthusiastic leader to guide our enterprise and high impact, human-centered, health policy coverage.

The Supervising Editor for Health Policy will have a strong vision and a nuanced understanding of this vital beat. The successful candidate will challenge us as we strive for new, creative ways to report on this dynamic area of coverage.

This person will be a key member of the decision-making team on the Science Desk, which comprises more than 40 correspondents, editors and producers working across platforms – news magazines, newscasts, digital and podcasts. We cover domestic health, global health and development, climate and other general sciences. In particular, we are looking for a candidate who can shape our reporting around health care and policy in what continues to be an unprecedented pandemic era.

The Supervising Editor for Health Policy will also help to guide and support the desk’s larger multiplatform health unit. The editor will have excellent news judgment, is flexible and will work collaboratively with reporters and editors on and off the science desk. This position will support staff to be forward thinking and relevant to our audiences, our newsroom and our partners.

This position is based in DC, but remote work will be considered.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• The Supervising Editor for Health Policy oversees coverage by a group of reporters focused on domestic health policy, including reporting on HHS and its agencies – particularly the FDA and CDC – health insurance, and state and federal abortion policy. This position is also responsible for overseeing the desk’s mental health coverage, which includes workplace, school and age-related trends, treatments and policies.
• Supervises the health team’s digital coverage of domestic health and partners with/helps sets goals and coverage priorities with the desk’s digital health editors.
• Partners with other science desk editors, NPR shows, Newscast and digital editors to coordinate health coverage on multiple platforms.
• Generates story ideas, reviews pitches and edits coverage. The editor will also help develop creative storytelling approaches and sources, and determine the best platform for the network’s news coverage, including making suggestions for interviews.
• Collaborates with desk’s deputies and chief science editor to set coverage priorities for beats and themes with a keen focus on younger and diverse audiences.
• Advocates on behalf of the science desk, including attending the network’s daily morning news meeting on a regular basis.
• Maintains highest-quality broadcast, text and multimedia standards.
• Effectively coaches reporting and production staff.
• Works with a minimum of supervision, even in complicated situations.
• Anticipates and responds to most programming needs, breaking news and in-depth features.
• Cultivate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Cultivate and support an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Supervise at least 2 direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.

Qualifications • 8-10 years’ experience as a news reporter or editor, including demonstrated experience covering local and national news, as well as health care.
• 3 or more years of supervisory experience.
• Proven ability to lead journalists in pursuit of ambitious stories.
• Track record as a creative storyteller and editor across journalistic forms, and across a variety of media.
• Deep knowledge of health policy and the U.S. health care system.
• An engaged journalist with solid news judgment and familiar with the 24-hour news cycle. • Considerable skill in both news and enterprise editing.
• Excellence in written and oral communication skills.
• A teamwork mentality, flexibility, and a proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public media system.
• Strong grasp of journalistic ethics. Experience maintaining high journalistic standards including standards of objectivity, balance, accuracy and fairness. Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts, when necessary.

The Supervising Editor for Health Policy will report to the Supervising Senior Editor for Health.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

WORK LOCATION:

This is a hybrid permitted role. The employee will be required to be onsite at our DC office at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.

All applications must include a resume and cover letter to be considered.

NPR mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law and any other applicable law.



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NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.