Copy Chief

Join one of Baltimore's Best Places to Work!

About this Job: 

The Baltimore Banner is hiring a senior copy editor to lead a team of editors that are our last line of defense against errors, lack of clarity, lapses of style, and libel concerns. The copy chief will lead these editors in ensuring that stories and other content meet The Baltimore Banner’s standards. Experience with opinion content is a plus as this job will also entail editing letters to the editor. The ideal candidate will be able to edit on tight deadlines, work with reporters and editors across a wide range of story topics, and be familiar with the language, culture, and history of Baltimore and Maryland. The ideal candidate will have seven or more years of experience on a copy desk and have management experience. This position will be crucial to helping the newsroom fine-tune, update and maintain a Banner-specific style guide and keep the newsroom current on best practices for reporting and writing about our coverage areas and topics. The copy chief will also make sure we are abiding by the correction policy for the organization and update it as needed. The position will help guide newsroom cultural competency efforts so we cover all communities with respect. The ideal candidate will have strong SEO and headline writing skills. This position offers some flexibility to work remotely but is a night position. The ideal candidate must be available based on news needs and able to work some weekends.

We are a mission-driven organization focused on local news and improving the community. We expect all candidates to believe sincerely in that mission. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive newsroom with positive morale and culture. 

Responsibilities: 

• Edit stories and letters to the editor, often on deadline, to ensure stories are accurate, precise and meet the Baltimore Banner’s standards
• Ensure stories adhere to The Baltimore Banner’s style and usage
• Manage and guide a team of copy editors
• Fine tune and maintain a Baltimore Banner-specific style guide
• Maintain a correction policy
• Keep the newsroom current on AP and other style updates as well as best practices for reporting on and writing about the communities and subjects the Banner covers, including issues of cultural competency
• Write sharp headlines that use strong SEO technique and are targeted to an online audience seeking news about the Baltimore region
• Represent The Banner in the community as needed -- in person or on television or radio appearances 
• Use and understand newsroom analytics to hone and identify the coverage that serves readers
• Edit written correspondence by other departments, including philanthropy and advertising

Requirements: 

• A minimum of 7 years copy editing experience on a copy desk
• Experience managing a copy desk
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Fluent with AP Style and knowledgeable about journalism best practices
• Teamwork and willingness to collaborate with others
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• A commitment to upholding journalistic values and ethics 

Additional Information:

• Schedule: This position requires evening and weekend work. Schedule flexibility may be needed based on news demands.
• Location: This role is based in Baltimore, MD, with hybrid work options available.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000 Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by several factors including experience, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. We constantly review all teammates’ pay to ensure a great compensation package that is fair and equal across the board.

Our health and wellness benefits include:

• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Retirement savings - 401K plan offered through Human Interest, with a company match
• Student Loan Debt Repayment Assistance for qualified employees
• Full health benefits - medical, dental, vision, prescription, FSA/HSA., and coverage for family/dependents
• Sick Leave eligible for rollover 
• Commuter Benefits
• 11 Paid National Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Parental Leave
• Company paid access to a wellness platform to support mental, financial and physical wellbeing

Our Core Values:

• Do what’s right. Honesty, morality, respect and the mission guide our actions and decisions. By doing the right thing, we inspire others to believe.
• Work together. We collaborate to create something special. Together we challenge assumptions, trust each other, take risks, and foster transparent and direct communication.
• Listen to be heard. Our stories are trustworthy. They are inspired by and created for our readers. Their story is our story. Communities are at the center of our journalism, and everything we do.
• Deliver impactful results. Acting as one accountable team and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, we deliver bold and innovative results. We act fast, execute and learn. We celebrate great outcomes.
• Be inclusive. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and act by curating a culture that leverages diverse perspectives as the key to fulfilling our mission. The Banner is for all of us.

The Venetoulis Institute embraces diversity and inclusion, and we are wholeheartedly committed to being proactive in inspiring a culture of inclusion across our organization. We are dedicated to establishing an organization that reflects the fundamental respect for different ways of working and living, and we assure every employee the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation due to a disability to participate in the application process, please contact [email protected] to request accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may include, but are not limited to, adjustments in the application process, modifications or assistance regarding job interviews, and accommodations to enable access to our facilities. We appreciate the value that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce and encourage applicants with disabilities to disclose their needs for accommodation to facilitate a smooth and inclusive recruitment experience.