The News & Observer is looking for a sports editor to direct sports coverage in Raleigh at the News & Observer. This person also will collaborate with a team of sports editors and reporters across McClatchy’s Southeast region newsrooms to develop compelling and essential sports journalism for our readers. The ability to collaborate effectively is essential.

The News & Observer was a 2021 Associated Press Sports Editors Grand Slam winner. (If you don’t know what this means, you shouldn’t apply.) We have a dedicated team of sports journalists with national and regional reputations for excellence.

The N&O’s sports editor must have a strong understanding of how to grow digital readership and strengthen engagement in a competitive Division I college market. Our major readership drivers include UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, NC State University, the ACC and the Carolina Hurricanes. The interest and availability of elite sports opens up other opportunities to grow audience segments.

The primary focus of this editor’s duties will be college sports (UNC, NC State and Duke), but the sports editor will assist in high school and pro sports coverage.

The sports editor will lead our sports team in proactively breaking news on their beats, elevating our day-to-day coverage and identifying exclusive high-end enterprise that drives loyalty with our readers. He or she will succeed by being a strong coach for both early-career writers and sports-writing veterans.

This position will report to The News & Observer’s Managing Editor and will work closely with other McClatchy Southeast sports and growth teams.

The sports editor will be required to live and work in our market. Our office is located in downtown Raleigh. We’re currently in a hybrid work environment. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region is among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Known as the Triangle, the area is home to major universities, state government, numerous corporate headquarters and fast-growing startups. Our journalists work in communities with vibrant choices for foodies, arts and music lovers and outdoors enthusiasts.

You’ll join a News & Observer team that prides itself on a positive work environment, strong awareness of the inclusivity and diversity of its changing communities, and a commitment to growing its audience in innovative ways. The N&O is seen as a statewide leader in coverage of North Carolina issues and ACC football/basketball, and is proud of its accomplishments in public-service journalism and philanthropically funded reporting.

Core competencies:

• Use strong editing skills and excellent news judgment to help shape our sports journalism and get it in front of digital readers.

• Work with reporters and other editors to develop smart short-, mid- and long-term coverage plans that are essential to sports readers.

• Directly supervise sports reporters and help them build key digital audience skills. Work collaboratively across the newsroom, region and McClatchy to help develop a high-performing sports team.

• Be innovative. We’re seeking an editor who can bring new ideas about how to grow our digital audience and serve our readers.

• Use analytics tools to determine the effectiveness of strategies and revise as needed to drive our top-level audience goals.

• Use problem-solving skills to negotiate hurdles and identify solutions to stay on course with projects and strategies.

• Coach and mentor staff for improved performance and progress on individual skills, career goals and newsroom and company priorities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• 3+ years’ experience leading reporters and directing sports coverage.

• Ability to collaborate effectively.

• Ability to be a strong coach for both early-career writers and sports-writing veterans.

• Must have reliable transportation. Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works).

What we’ll bring:
As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.

About McClatchy:
Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 56 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.