Job Description

Dallas Observer has an immediate opening for a full-time music editor. This editor will manage and lead our coverage of Dallas’ vibrant music scene. This position is based in our Dallas newsroom and reports to the editor-in-chief. Remote candidates will not be considered.

Dallas Observer is published daily online and weekly in print. Always free.

Key Responsibilities

• Hire and manage freelance reporters and photographers to produce a range of stories. Our stories include breaking news and trending topics that need to be written quickly and enterprise and feature stories that could take a week or more to report. 
• Efficiently edit stories for structure, line editing and copy editing so they read beautifully, clearly and concisely and are free of factual and grammatical errors and typos. Ensure that care has been given to the best possible use of headlines, photography and art. Make sure that stories adhere to our style and SEO best practices.
• Collaborate with the editor-in-chief on planning music coverage.
• Manage the editorial workflow for the music vertical, assigning stories to reporters and freelancers, monitoring deadlines, ensuring a regular cadence of story output and balance and meeting goals for volume and traffic.
• Contribute your own stories on a weekly basis.
• Coach and manage freelancers through any part of the pitching, reporting, writing, editing or production process. Deliver feedback to them on their work and recruit new freelancers as needed.
• Build broad relationships with the music community so that sources, story ideas, research and reporting reflect the diverse communities of Dallas.
• Participate in our annual Best of Dallas issue and other special projects during the year.
• Work collaboratively with the audience development director on trending news and SEO best practices, as well as the membership director on our membership program.

Who You Are

• An experienced journalist and editor with a working knowledge of — or eagerness to immerse yourself in — the character, people and music of Dallas.
• Have at least two years of newsroom management experience.
• You have the ability to write well-reported and thought-provoking stories and the instincts for uncovering and sourcing those stories. 
• An adept editor who can edit stories quickly and effectively.
• A highly organized, resourceful and self-starter committed to accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• You have an in-depth understanding of social media and digital journalism with the ability to read and understand analytics to make informed coverage decisions to serve our current readers and reach new readers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Benefits

• Compensation range of $55,000 to $60,000.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• In the first year: 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days, 5 paid sick days per year.
• Hybrid work policy based in our Dallas office.

To Apply

Dallas Observer believes our journalism will best serve our communities with culturally diverse staff and freelancers who offer a range of voices. We are committed to creating and sustaining an environment of inclusion, diversity, empowerment and equality. We are at our best when all our team members are respected and included regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation and national origin. Women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color and gender-nonconforming candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Please email a resume, cover letter detailing your editing and management experience as well as your proposed approach to helming our music section, and links to your best work to: dal-music-editor@voicemediagroup.com . Include “Dallas Observer Music Editor” as the subject line.

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