Managing Editor
Sandpaper Publishing, an award-winning, Northwest Florida community news organization, is seeking a managing editor that is passionate about journalism.
Our ideal candidate is a creative and energetic leader that is enthusiastic about their role and purpose as an editor in our Northwest Florida community.
Do you have a passion for Journalism and believe in following the SPJ Code of Ethics? Can you write and produce compelling content and design across multiple platforms? Do you believe in FOIA? Are you willing to ask the hard questions and hold public officials accountable? Do you believe in local newspapers and the role they serve in a community? Do you want to make a difference? We are looking for an editor that has a passion for journalism and is not just in it for “a job” but believes in the purpose of our existence as journalists.
If you feel disillusioned by the current and unfortunately well-earned reputation of many in the mainstream news media and disappointed in the breakdown of ethics in your chosen career field, so are we. We believe journalist need to get down to their core existence and report the facts and not be “repeaters” instead of reporters. Journalists are not advocates. That is where “public relations” comes in and the career field a lot of “reporters” are moving to so they can at least be honest about the work they do. We keep our opinions on the editorial page and do not withhold news – which is another way of being an advocate instead of a journalist. If anything in this paragraph bothers you, then please do not apply for this position.
We are looking for a skilled Managing Editor to oversee our company’s daily publishing operations across all media platforms. You will be reporting to the publisher and supervise writers, editors and other staff as well as reporting.
A managing editor combines the innovativeness of a writer with the practical focus of an operations manager. You should be able to suggest ideas for stories and see them through to publication. We are looking for excellent organizational and leadership skills as well as a unique problem-solving ability.
The editor responsibilities comprise reviewing the written material and condensing and arranging it in a way to compel the reader to want to read further. While doing so, taking care that the given information and data is accurate, has good context, is valuable and relevant to the reader and is without bias, while legally compliant.
Managing Editor (ME) Responsibilities Include:
Responsible for reviewing, designing, correcting, editing, proof reading, and rewriting the content if necessary to provide a high-quality content. ME oversees the work of all the writers involved as well as that of the freelancers, guide them, and provide them with relevant feedback on their performance. They motivate them to give maximum quality output. They ensure that the material delivered is interesting and compelling keeping readers engaged in reading further and ensuring that the overall look/design of the newspaper is compelling to attract new readers, single copy purchasers who ultimately become subscribers. They also ensure that the content delivered is valuable, relevant and is within the given publication budget. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Planning and managing all daily operations including budgets/budgeting
- Hiring, coaching and supervising personnel
- Collaborating with publisher to determine issues’ content and topics and strategic direction
- Coordinate editorial publications and meetings
- Plan and approve assignments for writers and editors
- Control schedules and enforce deadlines (for writers, photographers, designers etc.)
- Oversee proofreading procedures and edit copy when necessary. To do thorough proof reading and editing of the written material by checking its writing style, grammar, fact checking etc.
- Assist in evaluating finalized copy for compliance with policies, style and tone
- Ensure that the writers are adhering by the rules and regulations of the organization and that it is in compliance with legal procedures
- Ensure that copy editors/employees posting content to website/social/app adhere to ADA compliant practices to include HTML tagging making it easier for a screen reader to navigate; All images include alt text and creating usable links.
- Resolve issues as they arise
- Attend events on behalf of the company or publisher
- Supervise the staff members, provide constructive feedback, and make recommendations for improving the quality of content and asking for re-writes as needed
- Manage editorial page to include writing editorials, fair and equitable treatment of guest editorials and letters to the editors
Essential Skills/ Requirements Include:
To ensure that you become a successful Managing Editor, it is essential that you have good understanding of the publication procedures, rules, regulations, and should be well-informed with the current developments in the industry. Should have excellent editing skills and have exceptional command over verbal and written communication skills. Must know when a legal boundary is about to be crossed. Our motto is, “When in doubt, keep it out.” Expect to deliver quality work on the given time, even when they are required to function under tight deadlines. Should be creative, self-motivated, self-driven, have attention to detail, and function independently as well as work in a team. Key skills/requirements include but are not limited to:
- Proven experience as managing editor or relevant role
- Exceptional ability in copywriting and editing
- Solid understanding and application of AP writing styles
- Proficiency in English
- Working knowledge of online platforms like WordPress and SEO concepts
- Abilities in planning and coordinating people and operations
- Excellent organizational and leadership skills
- Outstanding communication and people abilities
- Reliability and efficiency
- Attention to detail
- BS/BA in journalism or relevant field and/or equivalent work-related experience
- Able to sit or stand in a stationary position for extended periods of time in meetings, covering court cases, etc. and/or sitting at computer editing, reviewing designs, page layouts and/or writing stories/editorials
- Able to travel to and from story sources, community events and travel on company business as needed.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
- Ability to work indoor and outdoor covering stories and events in various weather conditions.
Work Schedule:
We have a casual, low ego, yet passionately dedicated work environment and competitive pay. We are members of America’s Newspapers and the Florida Press Association.
As you know, editors work at irregular hours as needed to deliver results in a pressure and a fast-paced work environment. Thus, may be required to work extra in the evenings or at nights. Sometimes, he/she may need to work on the weekends and public holidays. However, we do our best to make sure you aren’t “living at the office” even though we just consider it living because we love what we do.
A little bit about us:
Sandpaper Publishing, Inc. had one publication, Navarre Press, until January 1 of this year when we purchased two titles from Gannett, Santa Rosa Press Gazette and the Crestview News Bulletin. We are daily online and weekly in print with all three publications. Navarre Press almost 22-years old and has won best weekly newspaper in the state of Florida seven times. There are three “weight” classes so to speak, and last year we went to a higher circulation category and swept the awards. However, awards aren’t everything, in fact, they rank very low on our priority list.
Available Benefits: Telemedicine, Accident Coverage 3, Short Term Disability, Hospital Coverage, Lump Sum Critical Illness and Cancer Insurance
Our Core Values:
-Excellence is our ordinary: We don’t do average – we only do extraordinary
-Personal Accountability: When there is a problem, you are part of the solution
-Passion – You either love it or leave it.
-We are not here for us: We are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
We are here to serve our community.
-There is no task beneath me.
Interested in Applying?
Please send us your resume and include a cover letter. Please tell us what you know about the Northwest Florida, a paragraph about why you are passionate about journalism and a links to at least three – five writing samples. The salary will be commensurate with experience, and we would like to pay someone a more than fair wage with demonstrated ability to meet our requirements. Wow us. Please your resume and cover letter to: jobs@sandpaperpublishing.com
Open Positions
The Santa Rosa Press Gazette is a community newspaper that covers north Santa Rosa County. We accurately and responsibly report the news so that readers can rely on accurate reporting to make everyday decisions for their lives.
The Santa Rosa Press Gazette was recently sold to a community-minded owner in Northwest Florida and seeks an energetic reporter to deliver top-notch local coverage to North Santa Rosa County residents.
Another newspaper owned by the same owner has won best in the state seven times and is followed by other journalists and publishing companies for their innovative approach. Many of the initiatives have become adopted by other weeklies and large dailies throughout the nation. Basically, we are trailblazers and change agents. A judge from Pennsylvania put it best; “If all newspapers looked (and read) like this one, there would be no more talk of newspapers dying.”
You will cover general and hard-hitting news stories and community news. You must be able to switch gears at a moment’s notice. We need a clean writer who will pitch unique enterprise and investigative stories and is not hesitant to tackle in-depth packages.
The successful candidate is intellectually curious, enjoys watchdog journalism, and can work under tight deadlines. Our ideal reporter knows how to jump on breaking news for both print and digital platforms while also juggling planned stories and long-term enterprise projects. This person also is persistent and skilled at cultivating sources to uncover stories that matter to our readers. Ideal candidates are proactive reporters who will become part of the community. Our reporters are hardworking, self-motivated, and able to write stories beyond meeting coverage and profiles. Some night and weekend work is required.
We will consider recent journalism graduates who have completed an internship at another daily or weekly newspaper, with strong writing samples.
Concerned about advancement at a community paper? Don’t be. We have plenty of room for advancement. And, we are high achievers.
Experience with InDesign, web, and video is a plus. We offer a community with a casual, low-ego, yet passionately dedicated work environment and competitive pay. Also, we have had great success with broadcast journalists, so feel free to apply.
Please follow directions: Interested applicants will send a cover letter that explains what they have to offer to their community as a journalist, a resume, and three clips to jobs@srpressgazette dot com. (We spelled it out to prevent spam – but you know what to do.)
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: Commensurate with experience
Access to the following benefits after three months: Telemedicine, dental and vision insurance, accident coverage, short-term disability, and critical illness and cancer Insurance. Matching 401K after two years of employment.
Digital and Print Marketing Business Development Specialist
We are seeking a digital marketing sales specialist to work with current and future clients of Sandpaper Marketing, a locally owned innovative, digitally focused media and marketing solutions company committed to strengthening and growing our local businesses.
The Digital and Print Marketing Specialist role requires a knowledgeable individual who is highly personable, with the ability to lead digitally focused sales efforts while maintaining an energetic, strategic, and entrepreneurial spirit.
You will partner with our clients to provide a broad set of marketing solutions to include:
- Data Driven Solutions including Geo-fencing, addressable Geo-targeting, search-retargeting, site-retargeting, contextual targeting, programmatic video and OTT/CTV.
- Promotions that will help our clients grown their email and marketing database and drive more audience engagement.
- Building their digital presence with website upgrades and development, SEO, reputation and social media management and local listings.
- Print solutions that work for our clients and provide valuable content for other platforms.
As a Digital and Print Marketing Sales Specialist, you will:
- Have access to the marketing services and solution providers, enabling you to deliver desired results to your customers.
- Develop partnerships with local businesses and assist them in reaching their goals through integrated marketing plans and media solutions
- Help businesses maximize their online presence with a custom approach to marketing
To be successful in this role you will:
- Pursue and close new business and revenue streams
- Retain, manage, and grow clients in the evolving digital landscape
- Work within a team to manage the client relationship and retain and continue to build account revenue
- You will identify and understand market potential, develop and execute sales strategies across multiple platforms, including digital, mobile, targeted niche publications and print
- Present our complement of products to business decision makers
- Communicate with customers proactively via all modes of communication.
- Conduct face-to-face customer meetings, presentations, proposals and demonstrations
- Manage CRM database recording all sales activity including a sales pipeline and develop a strategy for long-term sustained success
Experience and characteristics you will bring with you:
- 2+ years’ experience in a high level acquisition, consultative and B2B sales
- Digital Marketing experience
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
- Passionate about problem solving and seeing solutions
- Competitive nature and a winning team spirit
- Problem solver who enjoys challenges and can simplify the complex
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Willingness to continuously learn, try new things and adapt to change
- Proficient in MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook
- Proficient in reading geo fencing and digital marketing reports and presenting reports to clients.
- Requires a valid driver license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by law
What we provide you:
We offer an energized, passionate, and talented team within a fun and flexible culture.
We offer competitive compensation with uncapped incentives.
Workplace provides creative workspace.
Access to the following benefits after three months: Telemedicine, dental and vision insurance, accident coverage, short-term disability, and critical illness and cancer Insurance. Matching 401K after two years of employment.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: Commensurate with experience
How to Learn More and Apply
Click Here to view more information on our job openings and fill out our job application form.
