Executive editor, news, politics and sport

Title: Executive editor, news, politics and sport

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Description:

Guardian Australia is part of Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of theguardian.com. As a leading global media organisation, we are renowned for our pioneering independent journalism and our award-winning digital products.

We are seeking an executive editor to lead Guardian Australia’s coverage of news, politics and sport, and to oversee the planning, commissioning and editing of ideas. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role will help shape editorial strategy, oversee major events and sensitive coverage, and lead the newsdesk to deliver impactful, high-quality journalism in line with our editorial standards.

This role is being offered on a full-time permanent basis. This role is open to candidates based in Sydney. 

In this role you will…

• Lead Guardian Australia’s coverage of news, politics and sport, overseeing the planning, commissioning and editing of ideas 
• Help direct news conferences, ideas meetings and other meetings as required, to commission impactful, agenda-setting journalism in line with Guardian Australia’s strategic goals
• Be a key member of Guardian Australia’s senior leadership team, contributing to its editorial operations and strategy  
• Oversee coverage of major events, including elections and budgets 
• Be responsible for all department content that is published, with particular attention to sensitive issues and ensuring compliance with the Guardian’s editorial code
• Work with legal team on management of sensitive stories and risk
• Manage newsdesk editors, including national news editor and oversee their management of reporters, as well as carry out other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the newsdesk
• Edit stories and ensure all legal issues are resolved prior to publication
• Write weekend and other newsletters as required 
• Oversee newsdesk commissioning budget
• Help manage significant corrections/clarifications with readers’ editor, as necessary 

You’ll bring….

Knowledge and experience

• Significant experience (10+ years) editing and management experience in national newsroom 
• Expert grasp of key national issues
• Experience of managing editors and reporters to develop ideas on a daily basis and guide career progression 
• Understanding of diversity and inclusion issues 
• Good understanding of Guardian values: honesty, integrity, courage, fairness, and a sense of duty to the reader and the community 
• Excellent understanding of media law

Skills/behaviours

• A passion for independent journalism and an understanding of our editorial code and values
• Excellent writing, commissioning and editing skills
• Strong interpersonal and management skills 
• Efficient leader who is authoritative, resilient and adaptable
• Confident, assertive and diplomatic 
• Open to challenge and correction

About working at Guardian Australia… 

• Hybrid working 
• Employee assistance program (EAP) to support employee wellbeing
• Paid volunteer leave
• Dedicated diversity and inclusion employee groups, action plans (including our Reconciliation Action Plan) and cultural competency training
• Guardian digital subscription

Job Identification1313

Job CategoryEditorial

Job ScheduleFull time

Locations Sydney, New South Wales, Australia