The University of Missouri School of Journalism and the Columbian Missourian are looking for a dynamic individual with expertise, vision and energy to serve as sports editor of digital and print editions of the community news daily newspaper. This is a full-time, benefit-eligible, renewable, 12-month faculty appointment.
This position involves overseeing daily coverage in a rapidly changing organization with as many as two dozen sportswriters or more in a semester as well as a number of teaching assistants.
For more than 100 years journalism students have obtained hands-on experience at the Missourian utilizing the Missouri Method. This learning-by-doing method continues to be the gold standard for training journalists, and the demand for training in sports journalism has never been higher.
In addition to overseeing coverage and serving as a lab instructor in reporting classes, the sports editor teaches the Sports Journalism class that is a required course in the Sports Interest Area and is open to students from every corner of the Journalism School.
The sports editor also lends key support to the Sports Journalism Institute, a national bootcamp held at the Journalism School each summer, designed to prepare aspiring sports journalists of color for internships with national and regional publications, websites and stations.
The right candidate will have writing, editing and supervisory skills, teaching or training experience and an enthusiasm for working with aspiring sports journalists.
The sports editor will:
• Oversee the sports coverage and products produced by assigned students
• Manage a staff of several dozen student reporters, plus graduate and undergraduate student workers and volunteers
• Plan and supervise necessary travel
• Teach the Sports Journalism class each semester
• Support the Sports Journalism Institute
• Serve as spokesperson for the Sports Department of the Missourian
• Hold a faculty appointment at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
• Coordinate with photo, graphics, news and city editors in covering the community.
Qualifications:
• At least 5 years’ experience of writing, editing and managing staff in a digital sports journalism environment.
• The ethical judgment and skill to teach young journalists how to make tough calls on their feet.
• A proven track record of producing quality sports coverage.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative problem-solving skills.
• A deep, applied understanding of how to use visual and audio journalism, digital video, and social media to enhance journalistic storytelling.
• The ability to juggle a vibrant daily newsroom’s many needs with ambitious, long-term projects.
• A track record as a collegial collaborator in a newsroom without silos.
• A bachelor’s degree.
Applications Process:
Please visit the MU’s Human Resources website (hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/
Applicants must submit a resume, a letter outlining employment history and achievements, relevant work samples including relevant material or samples that demonstrate work in investigative journalism, and any evidence of teaching experience. The names and contact information for three references should be provided.
Review of applications will begin in February of 2018 and continue until the position is filled.
For questions, please contact Jeanne Abbott, search committee chair, at abbottjm@missouri.edu.
The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.
To request ADA accommodations, please contact the Office of Accessibility and ADA Education at 573-884-7278 or CheekA@missouri.edu.
An Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer
