Job Description

About the company

McPherson Media Group is one of Australia's few remaining independent, family-owned news media businesses — and one of its most innovative. Founded in 1888 and headquartered in Shepparton, we provide centralised editorial and production services to 13 paid community titles across the Goulburn Valley and Southern Riverina.

We take advantage of new tools: were the first ISP in the Goulburn Valley (1995), the first regional group to instal offset printing, and today we operate a fully integrated digital publishing platform for all our titles, which includes AI technology for content tagging and reporting via Incites.

People enjoy working here because they get to do meaningful journalism in communities that genuinely value it — with the autonomy to lead, innovate, and make a real difference.

About the role

Based in our Shepparton newsroom, you will lead editorial direction for the Shepparton News and across the group — setting strategy, driving digital audience growth, and mentoring editors and journalists across our publications. Reporting to the Publisher on editorial policy and the CEO on business, you will be the editorial heartbeat of an organisation committed to independent, trusted regional journalism. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of community media in Australia.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package negotiable
• Relocation support available
• Senior leadership role with genuine autonomy and influence
• Work with a purpose-driven, independent media organisation
• Access to cutting-edge digital publishing tools and platforms (Pubpig mobile/Naviga/Piano)
• Supportive team culture with a strong track record of staff retention
• Regional lifestyle — Shepparton VIC, approximately 2 hours from Melbourne, less to the snowfields, goldfields, Alpine National Park and the Murray River environs.

Duties

• Drive editorial strategy across digital-first platforms and associated print products
• Mentor and develop journalists across multiple newsrooms to deliver quality daily content
• Collaborate with publication editors on regionally relevant, audience-focused content
• Use audience analytics, SEO, and digital data to adapt and improve content strategy
• Build a positive, high-performance newsroom culture that attracts and retains great journalists

Skills & experience

• Proven leadership in a digital and print newsroom environment
• Strong track record in audience growth, subscriber strategy, and digital engagement
• Experience with social media, SEO, newsletters, podcasts, and analytics tools
• Ability to develop community relationships and networks quickly in a regional setting

Culture

People enjoy working at McPherson Media Group because they are trusted to lead, supported to innovate, and connected to communities that genuinely care about local news. We are proud of our

reputation as a model employer — many former staff return. We value warmth, creativity, open doors and a commitment to the communities we serve. Regional life in the Goulburn Valley offers an exceptional lifestyle — close-knit and cohesive communities with excellent community leadership and a strong volunteer culture, outstanding food and wine, great sporting facilities and educational options. And a very short commute!

How to apply

Click APPLY or contact Ross McPherson on 0408 336 303 for a confidential discussion. Applications close 26 April 2026.