Managing Editor - Question Everything
If you're interested in this role, email us with a CV and/or a description of why your experience is well-suited for the position at hey@placementtheory.com
About the Show
We’re an investigative podcast rooted in journalism, storytelling, and public service produced by Placement Theory and KCRW. The show follows big, thorny questions wherever they lead — through narrative reporting, sharp interviews, and editorial boldness. We're public radio-adjacent, but independent in voice, form,and structure. This is a place for ambitious journalism and adventurous storytelling.
About the Role
We’re hiring a Managing Editor to help lead our editorial team and shape the direction of the show week to week. You’ll edit episodes directly, guide reporters and producers through story development, and oversee a small team of contributing editors to ensure that each story reaches its full potential. You’ll work closely with the host and executive producer to shape the season’s arc, manage editorial priorities, and maintain the highest standards of accuracy, clarity, and voice. You should bring strong narrative instincts, a love of collaboration, and the judgment to help us decide when a story works — and when it doesn’t.
What You’ll Do
Collaborate with the Host and EPs on editorial strategy, planning and story selection. Align on editorial and production goals for the season, and ensure high standards of quality across episodes while executing those goals.
Run story meetings.
Pitch and develop ideas for the show to pursue.
Assign stories to producers and lead editors.
Manage production team and contributing editors.
Assess ongoing editorial needs of stories and the effect on production schedule. Working with the associate coordinating producer, oversee the editorial calendar and production timelines according to the needs of deadlines with KCRW and the needs of stories and staff, concurrently.
Mentor producers, providing thoughtful feedback and guidance about story ideas and reporting threads.
Contribute and develop ideas for how to give the show an exciting and innovative presence on social media, Substack, in promotions, that are in line with its editorial voice and vision.
Act as lead editor on the majority of QE episodes. This includes:
Running edits on stories (generally 1 tape listen and 3 edits)
Determining story viability and needs – should it be killed? Does it need more time?
Shaping story structure, sharpening writing, and ensuring narrative clarity.
Working with fact-checkers and legal counsel to ensure accuracy and journalistic integrity
Who You Are
A seasoned editor with 7+ years of experience in journalism, including at least 3 years in longform audio
Someone who has edited stories directly and also led a team of editors
Deeply comfortable in fast-paced news environments, with a passion for accountability journalism
Excellent at giving and receiving feedback — and knowing when a story needs to change course
A clear and confident communicator who thrives on collaboration
Skilled at juggling multiple stories in different stages of production
Curious about the world and excited by stories that surprise, challenge, or reframe familiar narratives
How We Work
We’re building something new — and we want someone who thrives in that environment. Here's the kind of person who will succeed in this role:
Holds a high bar for excellence, accuracy, and fairness at every stage of the process
Values collaboration and sees group edits, shared notes, and brainstorms as essential to strong work
Brings humility and honesty to feedback — including knowing when a story’s not working
Can zoom out to manage a story arc or even seasonal arc while zooming in on line edits and pacing
Balances resilience with flexibility — plans ahead, but pivots fast
Stays plugged into current events and always looks for angles others might miss
Is curious, creative, and excited to experiment with form and storytelling
Can manage chaos with humor and calm (we're a regular show about the news — things move quickly)
This is a contract position. The compensation range for this role is $160,000–$180,000 annually. The range represents a good faith estimate of what we would pay for this role, depending on factors such as experience, skills, training, and other business considerations. For full-time offers, we also offer competitive equity grants.
We are open to both remote and hybrid arrangements, with a preference for candidates who can work partially in-person in Brooklyn, NY. We are also open to unconventional arrangements candidates who might have other ongoing projects.