About the OpportunityIssue Media Group seeks an experienced, creative, and highly community-focused journalist to lead both Rapid Growth and The Lakeshore, digital local news publications serving Grand Rapids and Western Michigan. This dual-market role is the essential voice covering West Michigan's transformation and connecting readers with the region's most innovative people, projects, and ideas. This is a unique opportunity to shape the narrative of these dynamic communities, advancing positive change.
About Issue Media GroupIssue Media Group produces vital journalism that moves communities forward. We operate more than a dozen local publications across Michigan and beyond, leveraging the power of solutions-based journalism to foster civic engagement, amplify diverse voices, and strengthen communities. Our work is supported by coalitions of underwriters who share our commitment to building stronger, more connected places.
What You’ll DoThe role of the Editor is to manage all aspects of IMG's publications, including editorial production, audience and community engagement, and business support while advancing the mission of our work in the communities we serve.
- Editorial Vision & Production: Develop story ideas and angles for all of the publications’ content, collaborating with the Rapid Growth publisher. Publish regularly and an email newsletter weekly with a mix of content.
- Quality Control: Copy edit, fact-check, and proof all content, including features, news, headlines, abstracts, descriptions, photos, and tags.
- Team & Budget Management: Recruit and maintain a stable of high-quality freelance talent.Manage the monthly budget and control editorial costs in collaboration with IMG leadership team and publisher. Produce monthly budget invoice and send to the editorial director and IMG bookkeeper.
- Audience Engagement: Social media comment monitoring and post boosting. Coordinate weekly newsletter (assemble, test, copy edit, and publish).
- Business Support: Facilitate quarterly editorial advisory meetings with underwriters and sponsors.
The Ideal CandidateWe are looking for a candidate who inherently aligns with our organizational DNA:
- Community-focused: You are a West Michigander at heart who knows the local neighborhoods, understands the region's challenges and opportunities, and can authentically connect with diverse communities.
- Quality: You bring journalism expertise and edit, load, and link all content into the CMS with precision. You are highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Sustainability: You think entrepreneurially and operate with financial sustainability. You are highly driven and accountable for meeting expense budget targets.
- Engaged: You connect naturally and possess existing relationships in the civic, business, and nonprofit communities. You have experience in using your voice in your writing, which will shape the publication's regular newsletter to connect with the reader.
- Integrity: You are accountable, able to maintain confidentiality, and exercise high discretion and sound judgment.
- Passion: You champion solutions journalism and have a passion for the role media plays in creating better-informed and engaged communities.
Key Qualifications- Minimum 3-5 years of journalism/editorial experience.
- An understanding and appreciation for solutions journalism.
- Demonstrated connection to Grand Rapids as well as West Michigan communities.
- Experience managing freelance teams and editorial budgets.
- Proficiency with digital publishing tools, content management systems (CMS), and social media platforms.
- Proficiency in Google Office Suite, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and Calendar.
Compensation & Structure- $2,500/month base retainer for editing and publishing responsibilities for both publications
- Additional contractual compensation for original reporting
- Flexible, remote-friendly arrangement with expectation of regular presence in the Grand Rapids and Lakeshore areas for community engagement
- Opportunity to shape two of West Michigan’s most influential media platforms
To ApplySend a cover letter explaining your connection to West Michigan and your vision for Rapid Growth and The Lakeshore, along with your resume and 2-3 relevant writing/editing samples to GrandRapidsEditorRole@issuemediagroup.com. Please include links to your social media presence and any Grand Rapids or West Michigan-focused work.
Issue Media Group is committed to building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. We especially encourage applications from Grand Rapids and West Michigan residents and those with deep connections to the communities we serve.
