The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.
The Climate desk is seeking a veteran journalist to help lead our climate coverage. The deputy will work closely with reporters in New York and Washington to conceive, shape and drive coverage of climate and environmental policies and politics and how they impact the nation and the world.
This deputy position focuses on breaking news and ambitious enterprise stories. Candidates should have extensive experience editing news, enterprise, explanatory and investigative stories. Candidates should have strong line editing skills with an ability to improve and elevate every story.
The Climate Desk is a highly collaborative team; editors and reporters work closely together to experiment with new storytelling forms that resonate with readers. In partnership with the Desk Head, the deputy will support team development, culture, and morale and be accountable for the success and development of writers and editors. The deputy is calm under pressure and has excellent news judgment and diplomatic skills.
Climate stories frequently spill across desk boundaries. The deputy will have experience working across teams and be able to forge relationships with National, Washington, BizDay, Weather, International and other colleagues around the newsroom to coordinate coverage and seek opportunities for collaboration.
The successful candidate must be energized by breaking news and want to help steer the biggest stories of the day.
This is an in-office position, based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.
Responsibilities include:
Driving news coverage
Skillfully editing, shaping and elevating stories
Managing reporters; coordinating staffing and logistics.
Acting as the Climate desk’s liaison to the rest of the newsroom.
Pitching stories for promotion on the home page, social media and other platforms.
Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
Quickly rescuing meandering stories on deadline
Juggling daily news with long term ambitious projects
Basic qualifications:
5+ years of experience as an editor including breaking news and ambitious enterprise stories.
A mastery of the kind of sweep and authority that sets The Times apart.
Strong news judgment, quick decision making and ability to assign stories and direct coverage.
A passion for storytelling and a desire to deploy new storytelling forms
Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills and an eagerness to coach and support colleagues.
Experience managing complicated and large projects
An ability to think creatively about how to solve unexpected newsroom staffing issues
A good bedside manner that brings out the best in reporters
Preferred qualifications:
5+ years of experience managing a team of editors and reporters focused on climate change, with a proven ability to relate to a broad readership
An understanding of state and federal government, policymaking and politics
A track record of editing prize-winning projects