Chief Digital Editor, Moldova Service, Chisinau

JOB SUMMARY

Chief Digital Editors are responsible for optimally publishing our journalism on our sites and on other platforms, including social media and subscription services, so that it reaches new audiences, deepening loyalty, and building trust. You will lead a small, self-directed team that meets daily publishing deadlines. Production is integral to RFE/RL’s editorial process and success, and as a full-time team member, you will be too. You must have a good eye for presentation, in particular augmenting text with photos, videos, and background material. You must also make sure that our journalistic rigor in terms of accuracy and standards is applied to our storytelling across all platforms. We are a team that places high value on collaboration, both in our daily work and in our efforts to continually improve how we work. You communicate proactively with stakeholders across various teams, including writers and editors, to ensure that published content meet expectations across platforms. You should be invested in the success of the digital editors and social editors on your team and be able to carry out their tasks when needed. You will be joining an innovative, mission-driven organization at a time rapid change. This role is an opportunity to explore the role of RFE/RL’s journalism can play in society and experiment with different ways of engaging audiences and communities. You should be keenly interested in the best practices and latest developments in digital journalism – and be keen to pursue innovative forms of storytelling and audience development across platforms. A commitment to our mission, journalistic impartiality and integrity is a must. Adherence to our professional standards and best practices is required. This position reports to the Managing Editor / Service Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• You prepare content to be published. You share responsibility for posting clean and compelling content to the website, esp. with an eye to use on mobile devices, and to other platforms like social media and newsletters.  
• You manage content and copy flow in coordination with other editors. You conduct quality tests on content pre- and post-publish, fix errors in published content, and test new site changes and features. 
• You make sure that editorial standards are met on all our storytelling across platforms and that all content is thoroughly factchecked and edited before publication.  

• You take a proactive role in editorial meetings, keeping up with the news and pitching compelling story ideas. 
• You will work with RFE/RL’s Digital Strategy team to actively share experiences of your team’s work with the entire organization and adapt accounts, processes and output to align with central guidelines and common standards. 
• You manage and assign tasks to members of the digital team and put together schedules for content and shifts. 
• You will support the growth, goal setting, professional development, and performance of staff. 
• If requested, you take on writing, editing, and production assignments.  

• You perform related work as assigned. 
• You substitute Managing Editor in their absence in daily planning meetings at the Service and Prague meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, or related field or the equivalent in experience is preferred. 

Work Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in digital journalism in news organization, 
• 5+ years of experience managing complex teams, 
• Extensive experience in publishing projects across platforms, 

• Extensive experience in project management, 
• Experience in positions of increasing responsibility, 
• Strong reporting and editing background. 

Competencies:

• Strong news judgment, 

• Team-based work ethic, 
• Understanding of digital success metrics, 
• Familiarity with social media storytelling and search engine optimization, 
• Ability to deliver fast, accurate and compelling copy and visual production, 
• Ability to multitask and prioritize with little supervision under tight deadlines, 

• Adapts to and works effectively within a variety of situations, and with various individuals or groups. Flexibility entails understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue, adapting one’s approach as the requirements of a situation change, and changing or easily accepting changes in one’ s own organization or job requirements, 
• Ability to work various shifts, as assigned and on short notice, 
• Expected to work weekends and work from home, as and when required, 
• Broad knowledge of political, economic, and social situations and international affairs acquired through studies, research, writing, travel, or other relevant experience or exposure, 
• Familiarity with html and video editing are a plus. 

Languages:

• Romanian – fluent, 
• Russian – proficient,  
• English – written and spoken working knowledge.