Morning Editor, Cox First Media

The Morning Editor is a strategic leadership role focused on driving audience engagement and growth during the critical morning daypart. This editor will lead coverage and content strategy across Cox First Media's three brands - the Dayton Daily News, Journal-News, and the Springfield News-Sun - with a sharp focus on audience needs, data-informed decisions, and key performance indicators tied to morning newsletters, mobile apps, website traffic, social media and other products as needed.
Candidates must demonstrate exceptional editorial judgment, fluency in digital platforms, and strong leadership and communication skills. This role requires a deep understanding of audience behavior in the morning hours, and the ability to translate insights into actionable content strategies that drive results.
The Morning Editor will collaborate closely with Editorial, Product, and Audience teams to ensure our morning content is timely, relevant, and optimized for distribution across all platforms. This role is based in Dayton, Ohio, and operates within Cox First Media's hybrid work environment (in-office attendance will be required). Shift will be 4:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to focus on morning audience, though it can flex based on audience and organizational needs.
Key Requirements
1. Digital & Content Expertise

• Morning Content Strategy: Lead the creation and curation of high-impact morning content tailored to audience routines and preferences.

• Platform Optimization: Ensure content is optimized for newsletters, mobile apps, social media and web platforms, with a focus on speed, clarity, and relevance.

• Visual & Format Fluency: Use diverse digital formats - including summaries, graphics, video, and audio - to enhance storytelling and engagement.

• Social Media Skills: Use social media platforms to reach and engage audiences, with an emphasis on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram).

2. Strategy & Data Use

• Audience-Centered Planning: Align morning coverage with audience needs and newsroom strategy to maximize reach and retention.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Use real-time analytics and performance metrics to guide editorial choices, refine newsletter strategy, and improve traffic outcomes.

• KPI Accountability: Drive performance against key metrics including newsletter open rates, app engagement, morning website traffic, social media engagement, and others as needed.

3. Leadership & Collaboration

• Team Coordination: Under the direction of the Managing Editor, lead morning editorial operations and coordinate with reporters, editors, and audience teams.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product and engagement teams to refine morning workflows and distribution tactics.

• Audience Insight: Maintain a strong understanding of local communities and their morning information needs.

4. Editorial Standards & Agility

• Editorial Excellence: Uphold high standards of accuracy, clarity, and relevance in all morning content.

• Agility & Responsiveness: Demonstrate flexibility in responding to breaking news, audience signals, and evolving priorities during the morning shift.

• Special Projects: Support and lead special initiatives that enhance morning engagement and audience growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED and 5 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 3 years' experience in a related field; a master's degree and 1 year of experience; or a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience

• Direct experience with digital publishing tools (CMS, analytics platforms, newsletter tools, etc.).

• Strong understanding of audience behavior, especially during morning hours.

USD 79,400.00 - 119,000.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary of $79,400.00 - $119,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.