Editor in Chief

Job Description

Over the next three years, Cardinal News will execute a regional expansion plan that deepens reporting in Southwest and Southside Virginia while adding new zones of coverage across communities lacking dedicated local journalism. This growth includes expanding the newsroom, launching additional geographic and enterprise beats, and strengthening audience engagement capacity.

The Editor in Chief will lead an expansion of one of the nation’s fastest growing nonprofit, nonpartisan news organizations as it fulfills its mission to cover a journalistically underserved region of Virginia.

We are seeking a high-energy editorial leader to build on our journalistic successes and inspire our team to pursue investigative and accountability journalism.

We’re looking for someone who understands our mission -- telling the untold stories of Southwest and Southside Virginia and strengthening the voices of the people in our communities who have been sidelined in the commonwealth’s political, economic and cultural conversations simply because of where they live. Cardinal’s Editor in Chief should also understand that to reach our diverse audiences our stories need to be adapted for multiple platforms.

This a hands-on position for an editor who understands that even daily stories need explanatory information, and that to fulfill our mission our news content demands a mix of long-form journalism, short news updates and in-depth enterprise and investigative stories.

The EIC will ensure that we have the systems, processes, procedures and key metrics not only in place but in continuous use by all in the newsroom. 

The EIC oversees all aspects of our journalism team that currently includes a managing editor, a founding editor/columnist, two associate editors, 12 reporters and two part-time copy editors.

The EIC will report to the executive director and be an integral member of the leadership team and expected to be a true partner in executing our vision. 

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Collaborative culture

Cardinal News believes in the cliché of getting everyone in the same boat, and rowing in the same direction. We encourage collaboration with others and among ourselves. The Editor in Chief will:

• Seek collaborations and partners for projects, products and events in service to our mission.
•  Foster a team culture that supports its employees so that they can perform to their highest abilities.
•  Place a continuous emphasis on team building and other communication to enhance shared values across the newsroom, especially important for a remote workforce.
•  Maintain an inclusive workplace that supports a sense of belonging and that is inclusive of all people no matter their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.
•  Communicate Cardinal News’ mission and vision clearly to reporters, supporters, partners and to the journalism community at large.
• Ensure systems, processes, procedures and key metrics are in place and are in continuous use. 

Impact

The EIC will foster a newsroom culture that understands our stories impact the lives of people in our communities, and will ensure that we track impact to understand if our reporting is giving people access to information they need to participate in civic life. 

Engagement

As a new organization, Cardinal News has much opportunity to expand its market penetration. Our loyal readership skews wealthier, whiter and more educated, on average, than the overall demographics of our coverage area. The EIC will be integral in outreach, developing and implementing strategies and tools to engage and build our audience, and to conceive and test new ways to bring our stories to people in the format and on the platforms they want.

Staff recruitment and development

The EIC will be responsible for hiring reporters and editors and will ensure that the news team receives clear directions on the newsroom’s vision and the support necessary to perform at high levels. We want a leader who can coach and supervise our team, and who can spot and address underperforming areas. We budget for training.

EXPECTED QUALIFICATIONS

• An unwavering commitment to local journalism.
• At least 10 years managing a newsroom, including experience as the top newsroom leader.
• A proven track record guiding reporters to produce great accountability journalism and corresponding experience in editorial decisions with complex or sensitive news content. Please provide several examples in your application. 
• Management experience that shows both visionary thinking and leadership in execution of goals. 
• Hands-on knowledge of setting and assessing performance-based expectations and coaching newsroom staff. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead a high-performing news team 
• Excellent communication skills across the board 
• Exemplary organizational and time management skills
• Flexibility: We are a growing organization and wear many hats
• An understanding of our communities and the people we serve

About Cardinal News

Cardinal News is an organization with a bias toward action, and uses data to measure its efforts and guide decision-making. We were named Lion Publishers Business of the Year in 2025, Startup of the Year in 2023 by the Institute for Nonprofit News, and recently were accepted into the American Journalism Project portfolio.

We want our team members to feel supported in their work. We budget for training, travel, and the tools necessary to produce and support strong journalism. Our benefits include:

• Competitive pay
• Paid holidays and vacation time
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Contributions to health savings accounts
• A matching 401(k) plan
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• A collaborative, mission-driven team

We Value Diverse Perspectives

Cardinal News is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.

We also recognize that not all candidates will check every single box. If you have most of the qualifications listed above and are passionate about stewardship, accountability journalism, and serving rural communities, we would love to hear from your

What should not get lost in the details is that we are strongly committed to excellent journalism and to our mission and are seeking an EIC who shares those values.

To Apply

Send a resume and cover letter to jobs@cardinalnews.org. 

In the cover letter, please describe your vision for our newsroom and why you are a good fit for Cardinal News.

Job Requirements

• An unwavering commitment to local journalism.
• At least 10 years managing a newsroom, including experience as the top newsroom leader.
• A proven track record guiding reporters to produce great accountability journalism and corresponding experience in editorial decisions with complex or sensitive news content. Please provide several examples in your application. 
• Management experience that shows both visionary thinking and leadership in execution of goals. 
• Hands-on knowledge of setting and assessing performance-based expectations and coaching newsroom staff. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead a high-performing news team 
• Excellent communication skills across the board 
• Exemplary organizational and time management skills
• Flexibility: We are a growing organization and wear many hats
• An understanding of our communities and the people we serve

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