Regional Editor in Rhode Island

About Patch
Communities use Patch every day to make navigating local life easier and more informed. We provide the neighborhood news and information you must know; the best things to do; ways to buy, sell and save money; and a platform to connect and share with your neighbors. And we need your help.

About Editorial
We’re looking for people who have the passion, creativity and chops to engage their local community through incisive reporting, professional editing and thoughtful content curation. We need people who can also leverage an array of new technology, tools and social media.

As a Regional Editor, you’ll become part of a dynamic and innovative team of journalists, engineers, designers and business professionals, creating bold new solutions for our industry. You will have the exciting chance to manage and run your own site -- for all things local in your community -- effectively informing and delighting our Patch users. This is far more than an opportunity to transform journalism; it’s an opportunity to improve the lives of your community members.

Job responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
• Manage a region of 12 local editors, each running their own site. Local Editors are tasked with reporting, writing, editing, assigning, taking pictures and video, maintaining an events calendar and a database of local business listings, getting users involved, and liaising with important community figures
• Ensure that the sites provide an invaluable source of trusted news and information that will improve people’s lives
• Drive your region’s sites to become a landmark in their communities
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in a region and across the country to produce impactful breaking news, features, and enterprise journalism and to create new ways to connect with and engage communities
• Identify and develop deep ties, visibility and strategic partnerships in the communities you oversee that strengthen coverage
• Work collaboratively with regional publishers and the business team to raise the visibility of the sites in the region

Required skills:
• At least 4 years of experience in community journalism
• Prior management experience
• Ability to lead, manage, direct, motivate and inspire a team working remotely
• Manage and track a budget for your region
• Keen understanding of SEO and the ability to analyze regional site traffic reports, and make decisions based on them
• Eye for talent and appreciation for, and ability to train and mentor, young journalists
• Experience in online journalism, including comfort with technical aspects of web publishing and social media tools and trends
• Experience editing photography and video
• Must have a firm grasp of AP style

Desired skills:
• Passionate about the web, social networking, and of course community journalism
• Be able to quickly grasp the interests, rhythms, and identity of a region and its constituent communities
• Unparalleled organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
• Have great news judgment
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Entrepreneurial spirit and drive; start up experience a plus

Education/ Industry background:
• Bachelors degree in journalism or similar discipline and 4-5 years experience managing editors or similar
• Ideal candidate will have been a senior-level editor overseeing multiple local reporters or even publications, including online media operations

Unique requirements:
• Must be a flexible, independent, self-starter – you’ll work virtually all or most of the time from home, coffee shops and other community locales, your car, meeting weekly with your team one-on-one and all together
• Tools for the job—best of all we will provide them: including a laptop, smart phone, camera, police scanner, etc.
• Must own a car
• Must be willing to relocate if there isn't a region open near you
• Ability and willingness to work various hours outside of the typical M-F and 9-5 including some nights and weekends

Please email at Lauren@patch.com for more information.