Job Description

Deputy Managing Editor/Capitol Bureau

The Times Union is seeking a bold, innovative deputy managing editor to lead our award-winning statehouse team as it engages with audiences trying to understand the inner workings and impacts of what happens within the puzzle palace of New York government operations and politics.

This player-coach position demands initiative, accuracy and insight. Our ideal candidate has solid news judgment and a strong understanding of the personalities and policies driving the news.

This deputy managing editor will lead a team of reporters whose topics areas range across the three branches of state power as well as campaign finance, the public-sector workforce and the political folkways of the state’s capital city. This journalist will also oversee the weekday production of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, a separate subscription product aimed at those seeking a more granular, insider take on statehouse news.

This role will require you to live in the Albany area of upstate New York, and will be hybrid/onsite. The pay range for this post ranges from $95K to $110K depending on experience.

Your duties on the team

• Work collaboratively with other editors as well as reporters, photographers and audience team members to tell impactful stories across platforms that engage and retain both regional subscribers and a statewide audience;
• Work quickly and effectively to break news online while helping the team produce agenda-setting enterprise and watchdog work;
• Demonstrate an ability to manage the team while making time for your own bylines;
• Model and encourage responsible use of AI tools to assist and enhance human-crafted journalism;
• Demonstrate a comfort level with analysis of web and social metrics, using data to help inform coverage decisions and content promotion.

Skills you bring to the team

• An understanding of how news stories unfold across platforms;
• Strong news judgment and a strong sense of the importance of lucidly explaining the often byzantine workings of state government.
• Ability to make real-time coverage decisions in a daily news environment.
• Passion for journalism that upholds truth and accountability and is grounded in our mission to inform the public;
• Crisp, concise writing skills and diligent reporting with an understanding of AP style.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years' experience editing, reporting, and writing on government and politics in a competitive environment.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or the real-world equivalent with a record that demonstrates suitable preparation for this role.
• Excellent news judgment and understanding of media ethics and law.

About us

The Times Union is investing in its statehouse coverage. This role provides a unique opportunity for a journalist to expand that reach while remaining rooted in a state capital city and the surrounding region.

The Times Union is committed to growing and retaining a more diverse workforce that better reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage all people of working age who are traditionally underrepresented in the media to apply, including women, people of color, applicants with disabilities, those from the LGBTQ+ community and veterans.

Some great candidates may not check all the boxes for this role. If you’re passionate, dedicated and interested in working with us but don’t have all the skills listed here, please still reach out and tell us more about what you bring to the table.