Local News Editor - Sarasota Tribune

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The Sarasota Herald‑Tribune seeks an on‑site, dynamic, and digitally focused Local News Editor to lead and supervise a high‑performing local news team in one of Florida's most engaged and fast‑growing markets.

Reporting directly to the Executive Editor, this role serves as the day‑to‑day leader of the newsroom, overseeing daily coverage, guiding enterprise reporting and visual storytelling, and ensuring our journalism is accurate, fair, ethical, and impactful across digital and print platforms. This editor understands how to use audience metrics and performance data to inform smarter coverage decisions while keeping journalistic values at the center of the work.

The ideal candidate is a confident newsroom leader who inspires reporters, exercises sharp editorial judgment, and understands how strong journalism and smart audience strategy work together. A great editor knows how to get things done - managing breaking news, coaching reporters, resolving conflict, and maintaining high standards under deadline pressure.

Why Sarasota?

Sarasota is one of Florida's fastest‑growing and most complex communities, offering a rich mix of local government accountability, growth and development, environmental challenges, arts and culture, tourism, a robust dining scene, and deeply engaged readers. From City Hall and public safety to education, housing, and quality‑of‑life issues, Sarasota provides daily opportunities for impactful watchdog journalism and enterprise reporting that truly matters to the community. The Sarasota Herald‑Tribune plays a central role in civic life here - and this editor will help lead coverage in a market where strong local journalism is both expected and valued.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership

• Provide strong editorial leadership and recommendations for daily coverage and breaking news, working in close partnership with the Executive Editor.
• Edit stories and provide expert headline writing and SEO optimization for breaking news and enterprise coverage.
• Develop and maintain daily and weekly coverage plans with urgency, clarity, and purpose.
• Ensure all coverage meets the highest standards for accuracy, fairness, ethics, and transparency

Editing & Coaching

• Edit stories for accuracy, clarity, tone, and narrative strength.
• Assign stories and manage workflows for reporters, photographers, and contributors.
• Mentor and coach reporters to produce compelling, high‑quality journalism across text, video, and visual storytelling formats.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and healthy newsroom culture.

Digital, SEO & Audience Strategy

• Write, refine, and coach reporters on engaging, SEO‑optimized headlines and story presentations, emphasizing both strong copy and visuals, with each story expected to include a video and photo gallery.
• Use audience analytics and performance data (e.g., Parse.ly, CrowdTangle) to inform coverage decisions and drive growth.
• Balance breaking news, enterprise reporting, and service journalism to maximize reach, impact, and trust.

Collaboration

• Work closely with local, regional, and national USA TODAY Network teams to share content and elevate standards.
• Partner with visuals, audience, and product teams to ensure stories are told in the most effective formats.

Innovation

• Utilize emerging tools, including AI and social platforms, to reach new and existing audiences responsibly.
• Encourage experimentation and new storytelling approaches while maintaining strong journalistic standards.

Requirements

Experience

• 3-5+ years of newsroom experience as an editor or senior reporter.
• Proven ability to lead coverage and make sound editorial decisions in high‑pressure, breaking‑news environments.

Skills

• Exceptional command of AP style, grammar, and journalism ethics.
• Strong news judgment, leadership, and coaching abilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in SEO best practices, headline optimization, and audience‑first storytelling.
• Proficiency with CMS platforms, social media, and audience analytics tools (e.g., Parse.ly, CrowdTangle).
• Experience using AI and emerging tools responsibly to support reporting, editing, audience insight, and newsroom workflows while upholding journalistic standards.
• Education
• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or equivalent professional experience.

Adaptability

• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, evolving newsroom environment.

Working Conditions

• This role may be partially remote, but regular on‑site newsroom leadership is expected.
• Availability during evenings, weekends, and holidays is required to manage breaking news.
• Fast‑paced environment requiring quick decision‑making, clear communication, and calm leadership.

Application Instructions:

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don't limit your upload to a resume; show us what you've done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume - one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you've produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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