Free Press Indiana is launching a new statewide reporting team focused on public service journalism and storytelling that serves all 92 counties. This expansion builds on the proven success of Mirror Indy. It also responds directly to what Hoosiers, particularly those outside metropolitan communities, have told us in interviews and surveys they need most. They want clear, fact-based, nonpartisan policy analysis reporting that explains how decisions made far away shape life in their communities, and also they seek stories that embrace and show how they live.

Few roles in local journalism offer the chance like this to build something new with your vision, creativity and leadership stamped upon it from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to shape the editorial vision, culture and impact of a statewide team designed to serve all Hoosiers, but particularly those who live in our state’s news and information gaps.

The statewide editor is the senior editorial leader of the statewide reporting team and will report directly to the CEO. They are responsible for setting editorial direction, shaping priorities and initially leading a team of four reporters producing ambitious daily and longer-term journalism rooted in the lived experience of our neighbors.

The statewide editor will manage the editorial calendar, guide story development from concept to publication, and ensure a consistent pipeline of reporting across formats and platforms. They will also play a central role in shaping how statewide reporting reaches audiences, working closely with audience, innovation, and partnership teams to ensure the journalism is relevant and widely distributed. A key to being a successful candidate for this job is showing how you will embrace modern storytelling and will execute with alternate storytelling forms to reach the most people and therefore have the most impact. 

The statewide editor is expected to be a coach, collaborator and builder — someone who sets high standards but supports their team. Because after all, a newly formed team will need rigor to pull it off but also care for the product and most importantly the people building it so they thrive.

• Lead and develop a statewide reporting team producing a steady flow of accountability, explanatory, enterprise and people-centered narrative journalism across multiple formats
• Set editorial priorities and manage an ambitious editorial calendar aligned with Free Press Indiana’s statewide mission
• Guide reporters in producing deeply reported stories that connect state and sometimes federal policy to real-world consequences for Indiana communities
• Shape a clear, inclusive editorial voice that is solutions-aware and accessible to a broad audience
• Partner with the CEO to develop and refine the editorial strategy for a newly built reporting team
• Work closely with the audience development director to ensure reporting reaches and resonates with communities across Indiana, particularly those historically underserved by news and in rural, small-town communities
• Collaborate with strategic partnerships director and distribution partners to expand reach, strengthen coverage and fill information gaps statewide, including project work with partners when it makes sense to do so
• Support reporters working remotely across the state, fostering strong communication and collaboration
• Uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy and accountability and helping develop procedures that standardize those practices

Who we're looking for

We’re looking for a leader who is bullish about journalism’s impact but is grounded in service to the people producing the product to have meaningful impact. We have a simple rule when it comes to identifying someone who is the right fit: Smart. Works hard. Ambitious. Nice.

The ideal candidate also brings:

• A demonstrated commitment to local or statewide public service journalism, with a track record of producing or leading impactful reporting
• Experience leading and editing reporters, helping them do their best work and grow professionally
• Strong editorial judgment and excellent editing and copy-editing skills
• The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-moving environment
• A clear understanding of how to build and grow digital audiences for serious journalism
• An entrepreneurial mindset and comfort working in a startup environment where some systems are still being built
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with external partners
• Comfort working flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends as news and your team demand

• ‍Salary: Up to $125,000, with flexibility for the right candidate based on experience and skills.
• ‍Benefits
  
  • ‍‍Full health benefits with 100% of employee medical premium covered
  • Paid leave, including the final week of the year and the week of July 4 for all staff
  • 401(k) with a 4% employer match
  • Eligibility for annual organization-wide salary increases and performance-based bonuses
• ‍Professional Development: $2,000 annual stipend for training and professional growth
• ‍Location: Flexible within Indiana. Want to live in Hammond? Excellent. Evansville? You bet. Bloomington? Of course. Shipshewana? Yes.

Free Press Indiana is committed to building an inclusive organization that reflects the people and communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from historically underrepresented communities, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.

About Free Press Indiana

Free Press Indiana is a nonprofit organization creating a statewide network of news teams working to strengthen Indiana’s communities, increase civic engagement and preserve its democracy. We produce original, community-centered journalism that is free to read and designed to meet people where they are. Our first newsroom, Mirror Indy, launched in December 2023 to serve Indianapolis-area residents. In a short period of time, Mirror Indy has established itself as a model local newsroom.

Free Press Indiana is financially stable and well-supported, with nearly $20 million raised from dozens of philanthropies and more than 1,500 individual supporters of our mission.

What to expect in the hiring process

We aim to fill this role as soon as possible. Candidates who advance can expect multiple interviews and finalists will complete a written assignment designed to show your thinking and approach. We aim to truly get to know you and to help you fully understand the role for which you’re applying.