Statewatch Editor

Description

About The Tribune

The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent voice since 1871. The Tribune is a nonprofit newsroom, meaning our journalism is not driven by shareholder demands or corporate interests. We are committed to free, public-service journalism centered on Utah communities.

Today, we continue to expand our reach through innovative reporting across platforms, strong community engagement and new local initiatives. The statewatch editor will play a key role in that mission, leading coverage that helps Utahns understand how government, public policy and those in positions of power shape their lives and communities.

About the Role

The Salt Lake Tribune is seeking a collaborative and community-driven editor to lead our political coverage in Utah. At The Tribune we believe political journalism should help people understand how decisions made by elected officials and institutions affect their lives and communities. We are looking for an editor who will ground our politics coverage in rigorous accountability, public service, and the lived experiences of Utahns across the state.

Utah is at a consequential moment. One of the fastest-growing states in the country, it is expected to add 2 million residents in the decades ahead. That growth is bringing significant demographic, economic and political change, while raising important questions about how the state will respond to the needs of its communities.

Understanding who holds power, how that power is exercised and how public policy affects Utahns’ everyday lives is central to The Tribune’s mission. We’re looking for an editor eager to lead a talented team of reporters covering those questions with curiosity, independence, fairness and a commitment to serving readers across Utah.

Reporting Structure

This role reports to the Deputy Executive Editor and works closely with news leadership, visuals, audience and data teams. You will manage a small team of reporters and will lead the team’s planning and coverage. This is a full-time, salaried, benefitted position. This is a hybrid position with at least two days per week in office and travel as needed for coverage.

What You’ll Do

• Champion Audience-First Framing: Enforce a standard framing process for every pitch by answering who each story is for, why they would care now and how people are affected.
• Lead Listening Efforts and Answer Utahns’ Questions: Pay attention to the questions and conversations happening across Utah in communities, on social platforms, in story comments and through direct engagement with readers. Lead the team in producing reader-driven stories that directly answer public questions with full reporting transparency.
• Direct Watchdog and Enterprise Reporting: Partner early with our accountability editor and audience strategists to identify ambitious enterprise and accountability stories. Lead the team in examining how public institutions operate, how taxpayer dollars are spent and how decisions made by those in power affect communities across the state.
• Innovate Alternative and Visual Formats: Look beyond traditional story formats and help reporters determine the best way to tell each story and reach its intended audiences. Collaborate across the newsroom on video, data, maps, graphics, interactives and other approaches that make complex subjects accessible and engaging.
• Oversee Team Editorial Operations: Use audience data and news judgment to inform coverage decisions, establish tracking alerts for major state issues and manage team workflow during high-interest news cycles. Balance urgency and ambition with thoughtful planning and sustainable workloads.
• Lead, Edit and Develop the Team: Set coverage priorities, edit daily and enterprise journalism, coach reporters and provide clear and constructive feedback. Build a collaborative team culture that encourages ambitious work, experimentation and professional growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary of $80,000 - $90,000 depending on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off, sick leave, and parental leave
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term & long-term disability
• Flexible hours and hybrid work options
• Cellphone stipend + mileage reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for qualified employees

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of political and government journalism at one of the country’s most innovative nonprofit newsrooms. You’ll lead a team covering the decisions, institutions and people shaping Utah - combining accountability reporting, public-service journalism, audience engagement and creative storytelling to help Utahns better understand their state and how it is changing.

The Salt Lake Tribune is an inclusive employer. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and we strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• At least three years of editing and/or management experience
• Demonstrated track record editing high-impact watchdog, government, or enterprise journalism.
• Strong understanding of public records laws and investigative reporting techniques.
• Sharp news judgment that prioritizes public utility and community impact over political theater.
• Experience with using audience listening strategies and working with data visualization and digital storytelling.
• Ability to guide reporters through breaking news and complex stories.
• Commitment to collaborative coaching, ethical independence, and the mission of nonprofit local news.