Editor in Chief

Heartland Signal is hiring an editor-in-chief!

It's hard to ignore D.C., but it's the states that shape people's lives more than almost anything that happens at the federal level. Heartland brings sunlight and scrutiny to state governments across the Midwest and beyond, with a focus on issues affecting our democracy.

This is our top editorial job: edit daily, set the coverage agenda, and help grow a digital-first newsroom with talk-radio stations in Chicago and Minneapolis, with more on the way.

Remote, U.S.-based. Apply by August 6.

Posted by: Rodney Gibbs

Department: Editorial
Reports to: Executive director
Employment type: Full-time
Location: Remote, U.S.-based (Heartland Signal is headquartered in Chicago)

The editor in chief role

Most state capitols are covered by a fraction of the reporters they once had. Yet the decisions made there — on voting, health care, personal freedom, how tax dollars get spent — shape people’s lives more than almost anything that happens in Washington. Heartland Signal exists to close that gap and bring sunlight and scrutiny to state governments.

We’re looking for an editor in chief to lead the reporting team that does it. This is our top editorial job. You’ll edit daily, set the coverage agenda, and decide what we chase and what we let go. You’ll write and report yourself when a story needs it. And you’ll shape where the newsroom goes next — how our digital, video, and radio teams work together to reach more people.

This is a builder’s role. We’re small and growing. We run a digital newsroom and AM talk-radio stations in Chicago and Minneapolis, with more launching this year in other regions. You’d join early enough to shape what this newsroom becomes. You’ll report to the executive director, work alongside our radio hosts and producers, and have real authority over the newsroom, with the backing to do the work right.

What you’ll do

• Lead and develop the four-person reporting team, and hire as we expand.
• Edit daily: work with reporters and producers on stories, structure, sourcing, and accuracy — and report or write yourself when a story needs it.
• Set the coverage agenda — decide what we own, what we pass on, and where we go deep — and manage the editorial budget.
• Own editorial standards, ethics, and the corrections process to protect our credibility.
• Shape editorial strategy with the executive director, including how we use AI responsibly in the newsroom.
• Build the workflows a digital-first, remote newsroom runs on: assignments, deadlines, and asynchronous collaboration.
• Make data-informed decisions to grow our reach and build partnerships — with other newsrooms, creators, and radio stations — to get our journalism in front of more people and amplify others’ work on our channels.
• Be a public face for Heartland Signal’s journalism with readers, listeners, partners, and funders.

What we’re looking for

Required

• At least five years editing in a newsroom, including time leading or building a team. You’ve made other people’s stories better, and you can point to it.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• A track record in accountability, investigative, or government reporting.
• Judgment under pressure: you know what’s a story, what’s a risk, and what’s not ready.
• A digital-first instinct for how stories reach and hold an audience.
• A real reason to care about state politics and the people state government affects.

We know strong candidates sometimes count themselves out. If you don’t check every box but you’d be good at this job, tell us why. We’d rather hear from you than not.

Bonus

• Experience standing up a newsroom or a beat from scratch.
• Comfort behind a mic and on camera representing your journalism.
• Familiarity with nonprofit news and comfort working alongside fundraising and growth teams.
• A point of view on where AI helps journalism and where it doesn’t.

Where you’ll work

This role is fully remote, with a preference for candidates based in the Midwest. Heartland Signal is headquartered in Chicago. You’ll need a reliable home setup and good Wi-Fi, and you should expect to travel about 10% of the time — to Chicago, to the states we cover, and to team gatherings. Authorization to work in the United States is required; we don’t sponsor visas.

Compensation and benefits

• Salary: $95,000 – $105,000, based on your experience, skill set, and current market rates
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid basic life insurance and AD&D
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• 401(k) with matching
• Paid vacation, plus federal holidays
• Professional development stipend
• Employee Assistance Program — confidential, no-cost support for mental health, legal and financial questions, family concerns, and more

How to apply

Email [click apply] with your résumé, a cover letter, and three to five clips of work you’ve edited or led. Optional audio or video samples are welcome.

Deadline to apply: August 6, 2026

We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds — including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, people with disabilities, and people whose paths into journalism weren’t traditional — to apply.

Heartland Signal is an equal opportunity employer.