CatchLight Local Visual Desk Editor

CatchLight is a visual-first media organization. At CatchLight, we believe in the power of images to inform, transform and connect communities. We act as a catalyst, connecting visual storytellers, communities and media organizations to represent and bring about solutions to urgent social issues. We support emerging talents and leaders in visual storytelling to meaningfully engage audiences and push innovation in the field.

CatchLight is in an exciting period of growth – join us as we expand our groundbreaking model for local visual journalism. We are looking for an experienced visuals editor to join our CatchLight Local Visual Desk in guiding newsrooms to produce impactful visual storytelling while improving representation throughout their communities.

Job summary:

Launched in 2019, the CatchLight Local Visual Desk is a shared visual journalism initiative to bring storytelling and engagement services to local newsrooms around the U.S. This “picture-desk-as-a-service” model seeks to revitalize visual journalism at the local level by connecting powerful visual journalists and editors directly with newsrooms and community members.

Newsroom members receive support services from CatchLight including visual editing, story development, visual production, engagement strategy, training and shared learning opportunities.

In this role, you will:

• • Be part of the team providing a set of shared visual services to our member newsrooms.
  • Work as the assigned visual desk editor for 6-8 local newsrooms across the U.S., some of which will also be hosting CatchLight Local Fellows.
  • Provide either daily or weekly visual editing and strategy guidance to your assigned member newsrooms based on their membership plan level.
  • Provide multi-platform visual editing and editorial coordination for short and long form assignments produced by CatchLight Local Visual Desk’s member newsrooms.
  • Curate and manage the flow of images to your assigned newsroom’s digital asset management system.
  • Provide top notch customer service and open communication to visual newsrooms, serving as their primary point of contact.
  • Help coordinate your assigned member newsroom’s participation in CatchLight trainings and workshops.
  • Facilitate co-publishing strategies across our member network.
  • Assist your assigned member newsrooms in accessing support from our cohort of specialists in video, design, and social media.
  • Track visual reporting progress and deadlines, and provide regular updates to newsrooms and the CatchLight Local team.
  • Be a key member of the CatchLight Local team, working to continuously improve upon our services, assist with impact tracking and consult on our growth strategy as we aim to revitalize the craft of photojournalism in local newsrooms nationwide.
  • Other duties as assigned (I.e. writing, participating in organizational wide events, etc.).

Qualifications:

We are a woman-led organization that seeks to give opportunities to applicants from diverse and historically marginalized backgrounds with intentionality.

We actively seek and encourage applicants from across all walks of life who have expertise and a proven track record in one or more of the areas below:

• • Passion for and understanding of visual culture and the local media landscape.
  • A strong understanding of visual editing and production workflows, particularly in a newsroom context.
  • Solid knowledge of visual journalism standards and ethics.
  • Collaborative and cooperative work ethic, able to positively engage the entire team to work on complex projects.
  • Self-starter with ability to work independently, take initiative and prioritize tasks.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a small team.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and “can do” attitude; promotes an open and supportive workplace culture.
  • 5+ years of experience in visual editing, publishing and/or local journalism.
  • 3+ years of experience in project management; proven track record of successfully managing workflows, teams and delivering client services.

Key Criteria For Consideration

In addition to the above skill sets we are looking for excellence in the following areas. Candidates will be reviewed based on the following:

• • Creativity: You are a net positive force of creative capital. Your engagement not only enhances the organizational performance, it enhances the creative capacities of the entire team. You bring ideas to the team.
  • Character: You operate at the highest executive function in your personal organization, your communications style, and your integrity. You bring follow-through, resourcefulness, and coordination to the team.
  • Culture: You add positively to the social focus, the energy and the engagement of those around you. You bring warmth, generosity of spirit, excitement and respect.

Additional consideration will be given to qualified candidates that are:

• • Based in Texas or on U.S. Central Time
  • Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite, digital asset management systems, and WordPress.
  • Spanish speaker a plus

Position details:

• • Full-time/Exempt
  • Remote work
  • Applicants should be available to work standard Central Time hours.
  • This position reports to the CatchLight Local Managing Editor.

Target start date:

By March 1, 2025

Travel requirements

The person in this role will be expected to occasionally make multi-day trips to visit member newsrooms nationwide, the CatchLight office in San Francisco, and to represent CatchLight Local at 1-2 industry conferences annually.

Salary range

$80,000-85,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• • Generous paid time off, paid federal holidays
  • Professional development stipend
  • Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
  • 401k with a company match