Senior Editor, Politics (AJC)

As a Senior Editor, Politics at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), your primary responsibilities include overseeing political news coverage, editing stories from journalists, assigning tasks, and ensuring timely and accurate reporting. You'll work closely with the AJC Politics team to identify unique angles and enhance storytelling across various platforms, emphasizing the importance of how policies affect everyday lives.

To qualify for the Senior Editor, Politics role at AJC, you should have a Bachelor's degree with at least eight years of professional journalism experience, although alternative qualifications such as a Master's degree with six years or a PhD with three years may also apply. Candidates without a degree can qualify with 12 years of relevant experience. A strong understanding of editorial operations and metrics is essential, along with demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.

The Senior Editor, Politics at AJC plays a vital role in our newsroom's transformation by elevating our coverage of Georgia politics and ensuring our output is relevant to a modern audience. By fostering collaboration across teams and utilizing digital metrics to guide decision-making, this position helps AJC adapt to contemporary storytelling methods and audience engagement strategies.

The work environment for a Senior Editor, Politics at AJC is dynamic and collaborative, often fostering creativity and innovation among team members. Given the hybrid work model, you can expect a flexible approach that allows for both remote and in-office work, enhancing your ability to connect with colleagues and drive impactful news coverage.

The benefits for the Senior Editor, Politics position at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) include a flexible vacation policy, health care insurance, a retirement plan, and paid time off for various personal and family needs. AJC is committed to supporting its employees' well-being and offering a comprehensive benefits package to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

In managing a team of journalists, I prioritize open communication and collaboration. I believe in setting clear expectations while encouraging creativity. For instance, I've successfully led projects by organizing regular brainstorming sessions, which allow team members to contribute their unique perspectives, ultimately enhancing our coverage quality.

Absolutely! There was a moment during a breaking news event where I had to decide quickly on the lead angle for our coverage. I assessed the information available, consulted with my team, and prioritized the most essential facts for our audience. Promptly publishing accurate information is crucial, and I believe in maintaining a balance between speed and accuracy.

To resonate with a diverse audience, I emphasize the importance of authenticity in storytelling. I advocate for employing diverse sources and perspectives in our reporting. This involves actively seeking out voices from underrepresented communities in our coverage to provide a more holistic view of the issues at play.

I utilize digital metrics as a powerful tool to understand our audience’s preferences. By analyzing page views, engagement rates, and audience feedback, I can make data-informed editorial decisions while balancing them with qualitative insights from our team. This helps us adapt our coverage based on what our audience values.

I approach collaboration with an open mind and prioritize strong relationships with other departments. Regular check-ins and shared goals help ensure we are all aligned. For example, I often partner with our digital team to optimize content for SEO, ensuring our stories reach a wider audience while maintaining editorial integrity.

One major challenge is navigating misinformation and the evolving media landscape. I believe it’s essential for political journalism to maintain credibility and transparency. By fact-checking thoroughly and highlighting the importance of reliable sources, we can help our readers discern fact from fiction and uphold journalistic standards.

I have considerable experience with cross-platform journalism, having led projects that span web, print, and social media channels. I enjoy tailoring content to each platform while maintaining a cohesive narrative. For instance, I’ve developed video segments that complement written stories, enriching the audience's understanding and engagement.

To ensure timely and relevant political coverage, I consistently monitor breaking news and emerging topics in the political landscape. I maintain a robust contact list of sources and experts, enabling quick access to information. Additionally, I involve the team in daily discussions about story ideas and current events to keep our coverage proactive.

Social media is a vital channel for modern political journalism, providing immediate access to hot topics and public sentiment. I view it as an opportunity to engage directly with audiences, gather feedback, and promote our stories. However, it also necessitates a careful approach to ensure that our posts are accurate and uphold journalistic ethics.

I am motivated by the potential to inspire and support a team of talented editors and journalists. Seeing others succeed and grow in their careers is incredibly fulfilling. I strive to create an environment where creativity flourishes, and each team member feels empowered to contribute their ideas to our coverage and mission.