Managing Editor

Climate News Tracker is seeking a Managing Editor with a keen interest in climate change coverage on broadcast news media, to lead and grow this new, not-for-profit organisation.

This person will have a strong belief in the power of public service news broadcasters (PSB’s) to inform, motivate and give hope to audiences and will want to significantly enhance the prominence and effectiveness of climate and nature news storytelling on flagship news programmes. They will understand the role objective data can play, tracking climate news coverage and how this can be used to inform and collaborate with news editors.

They will also welcome the opportunity to work alongside academics, climate experts, audience research specialists, data scientists as well as current and former public service broadcasters - using our data to enhance news coverage and debate on the climate and nature crisis.

About Climate News Tracker

Created by news professionals, Climate News Tracker (www.climatenewstracker.org) is a new initiative set up to help journalists and newsrooms track their climate output across TV, radio and online media so they can provide climate news that makes audiences feel informed, motivated and hopeful.

We have partnered with Exeter University’s newly formed Centre for Climate Communications and Data Science (C3DS). Using their bespoke, AI-based monitoring technology, we look objectively across the broadcast landscape to track the frequency, prominence and content of climate news stories.

Our initial focus is in 4 main areas: 1) The quantity of daily climate news reports, 2) The effectiveness of climate reporting against a consistent set of criteria. 3) Opportunities for a potential climate angle in neighbouring subjects such as economics or health and 4) Accuracy in climate information reporting.

We also analyse audience perceptions of climate news reporting to help broadcasters move even closer to their audiences – and perhaps win new ones. Please visit our website for more information.

Responsibilities

The Managing Editor will head up this new organisation. They will be the editorial lead and execute the Climate News Tracker strategy. They will be the face of Climate News Tracker and run the day-to-day operation of the organisation, as well as leading on fund-raising and building a small team.

The Managing Editor’s responsibilities will include:

Developing and executing the overall strategy for: 

• Climate News Tracker’s data analysis.
• Communications around that data – whether via social media, bespoke reports, private meetings with PSB’s or in person events and workshops.
• Developing audience research inhouse or in collaboration with PSBs.
• Recruiting a small team, fundraising from additional philanthropic benefactors and organisational development.

Liaising with and developing relationships with internal and external stakeholders including:

• News desks, news management and audience insight teams at the PSBs.
• C3DS at the University of Exeter and other academic institutions, think tanks or related organisations.
• The Climate News Tracker Advisory Board
• Current and future funders

Reporting Structures

• The Managing Editor will report to a member of the Climate News Tracker Board, (made up of the four founder members) and work with the Advisory Board – using the latter where appropriate for advice, contacts, ideas and introductions to news management teams at PSBs.
• All other staff will report to the Managing Editor. Currently there is a budget for 6 additional full and part time staff plus consultants.

Essential Skills

• Understanding of how newsrooms work and make decisions. 
• Experience working with technical information and using it to craft compelling content.
• Experience developing strategies, leading and managing a team.
• Experience working in public service news broadcasters/journalism, ideally covering environmental or climate stories, OR working with environmental think tanks, charities, pressure groups and experts.

Desirable Skills

• Data, environmental or social science/research knowledge.