Executive Editor

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth-focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK and Newsquest in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses.

About the role

The Asheville Citizen-Times is seeking a digital-savvy, strategic, and community-minded executive editor committed to audience growth, digital innovation, and powerful journalism in fast-growing Asheville and Western North Carolina. The ideal candidate has a collaborative mindset and is eager to work together to raise the newsroom’s digital acumen and drive high-quality journalism essential to the region. This leader must be fluid in news analytics, energized by new ideas, and passionate about watchdog and enterprise reporting with a deep knowledge of audience engagement and subscriber loyalty.

We need a strong communicator and collaborator who inspires sophisticated work through community engagement, social media, and other platforms. The right editor is people-centric, embraces servant leadership, and possesses impeccable journalism credentials, outstanding leadership skills, and a keen grasp of the ever-changing digital space, including visual storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Uphold the highest journalism standards across digital and print platforms, strongly support the First Amendment, and conceive, pursue, and execute watchdog reporting.
• Develop and implement a multi-platform digital vision and strategy focused on achieving target audience-specific goals and objectives.
• Provide leadership and expertise in state and local news, investigative journalism, Helene recovery issues, public service, and government issues.
• Champion change management efforts, including strong communication of the company’s strategic initiatives, purpose, vision, culture, and plan.
• Lead the planning and oversee execution of content strategies with a focus on strategic audiences, emphasizing digital and new platforms.
• Facilitate strong community connections with a relevant editorial voice and personal interaction.
• Attract, retain, and develop top talent.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years in significant leadership roles in a newsroom with demonstrated success.
• Clear understanding of the First Amendment and the highest regard for upholding those standards.
• Experience in high-level decision-making with complex, impactful, or sensitive news content.
• Experience working in industries undergoing substantial change and transformation.
• History of successful leadership, innovation, and goal achievement.
• Demonstrated ability as a change leader who collaborates and communicates effectively.
• Personal charisma, comfort with public speaking, and commitment to staff interaction.
• Understanding of the changing media landscape and ability to adapt strategies to address market and consumer needs.
• Demonstrated strong competitive instincts and intellectual curiosity.
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate in an environment of accountability.
• Track record in recruiting a highly successful leadership team.