UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - KANSAS CITY
KCUR, MIDWEST NEWSROOM

Are you an experienced journalist who cares deeply about holding the powerful accountable? Do you believe there are important stories to tell for and about Midwesterners? Are you passionate about growing and mentoring talented reporters?

The Midwest Newsroom's is seeking its next Investigative Editor.

Based at KCUR 89.3 in Kansas City, the is a partnership between NPR and member stations to provide investigative journalism and enterprise reporting with a focus on Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Our partners include Harvest Public Media and Kansas News Service.

Reporting to the Managing Editor, the Investigative Editor will work with partner news leaders, NPR and a regional investigative team. We're looking for an inquisitive and tenacious journalist to help execute the editorial vision for this award-winning collaboration and do so with compassion, empathy and a spirit of inclusion.

The person who accepts this position will be based in the Midwest, at one of the local stations in our partnership. Residency in one of the four states that we currently cover is a requirement for this position.

What we seek in an investigative editor is a person who will:

• Help partners incorporate investigative, data-driven reporting into their journalism, including enterprise feature stories and investigative projects.
• Inspire the Midwest Newsroom team - which includes an investigative reporter and a data journalist - as well as reporters from the stations.
• Assign and edit audio and digital stories.
• Serve as a central point of contact on investigative reporting for editorial leaders at the stations and at NPR.
• Lead investigative planning meetings and oversee a communication process that keeps everyone informed and connected.
• Ensure stories are considered through diverse perspectives, so they are inclusive, equitable and reflect the audiences they serve.
• Help stations and NPR identify new and diverse audiences on multiple platforms and pursue investigations and enterprise work to serve and engage them.
• Along with the managing editor, conceive/design/execute a regional training calendar.
• Lead training sessions as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Full time, benefit eligible staff position.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Experience reporting, producing and editing investigative work

• Experience using sources, documents, computer-assisted reporting and other investigative tools and filing and appealing open records requests
• Familiarity with data visualization
• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to manage workers in a variety of remote locations as well as in person
• Experience producing both audio and digital journalism
• Experience working as a journalist in the Midwest and/or with NPR
• Ability to think strategically, set goals and use metrics to track progress toward meeting those goals
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Commitment to editorial standards of accuracy, thoroughness, ethics, balance and diversity
• Ability to exercise sound news judgment
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
• Ability to solve problems, manage complexity and be resilient
• Valid driver's license and insurance required for assignments/activities that involve work outside of the office. Must maintain a clean driving record
• Knowledge of the issues, cultures, people, geography and news opportunities in the Midwest
• Passionate about learning and teaching new editorial and production skills
• Enthusiasm for the role of public media in a changing journalism environment
• Experience working in or leading multi-partner collaborations

Up to $80,000 per year commensurate on education, experience, and internal equity.

Open until filled, review of applications to begin March 18, 2024

What you'll get from us:

• A team: Managing Editor (to whom you will report), Senior Content Editor, Data Journalist and Investigative Reporter
• Partners: Iowa Public Radio (IPR), KCUR 89.3 (Kansas City), NPR, Nebraska Public Media and St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR) as well as Harvest Public Media and Kansas News Service
• Mentorship and support from the Managing Editor and KCUR 89.3 leadership team

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.