The Examination is seeking an editor with deep experience managing impactful stories and projects to lead our food and polluting industries reporting teams. This is a role for someone who can inspire and guide original reporting that uncovers harmful corporate practices, misleading marketing campaigns, regulatory failures and other forces that undermine public health.
In this pivotal position, you will shape cross-border stories that hold corporate and governmental actors accountable for health harms worldwide. From the earliest stages of an idea, you will work closely with reporters to develop sharp, feasible pitches with strong potential for triggering meaningful change at the local and global levels. You will shepherd stories and projects through rigorous research, sourcing and reporting, editing written stories and other audience-facing assets, all the way to publication.
You will oversee the careful gathering and verification of evidence – whether from human sources, documents, public records, or data analysis – ensuring each investigation lands with clarity, accuracy, and urgency. You will also steer collaborations with partner newsrooms around the globe, extending The Examination’s reach and influence, and mentor reporters to sharpen their investigative skills and grow as journalists.
Part of your work will involve monitoring the global health and industry landscape to identify under-reported threats on the food and pollution beats, pursuing leads that others overlook, crafting follow-up stories and explainers that build on our investigations, and representing The Examination at conferences and public events.
The ideal candidate will bring expertise in managing complex editorial collaborations across multiple outlets – an approach at the core of The Examination’s model – and will be energized by finding innovative ways to engage both broad audiences and the communities most at risk from the harms we uncover in the making and delivery of our journalism. Experience leading corporate accountability projects or global health investigations is strongly desired.
About us
The Examination is an independent nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigating preventable health threats and empowering vulnerable communities through fearless, evidence-based reporting. Guided by scientific rigor and global collaboration, we go deep to report on commercial products and processes that contribute to preventable disease and death, destabilizing families, communities, health systems and economies. Coverage areas include the tobacco, ultra-processed food and fossil fuels industries.
Since our launch in 2023, our award-winning investigations – produced in partnership with newsrooms across the globe – have exposed the corporate and governmental forces that undermine public health. Our mission is to hold the powerful to account, inspire positive change and help build a healthier world.
Desired qualifications
At least three to five years of investigative editing experience, with a track record of guiding ambitious, impactful journalism
Comfortable managing reporters on complex projects and working across borders to develop global investigative stories
A deadline enthusiast highly organized and energized by the challenge of delivering on time, who sets clear expectations, enforces deadlines, and keeps complex projects on track without sacrificing quality
An enthusiastic collaborator inside the newsroom and with external partners, with a deep appreciation for the power of multi-newsroom investigation
Experience working with data journalists and technical specialists, integrating data into compelling investigative narratives
A passion for digital storytelling and a knack for finding creative ways to make investigative work resonate widely
Highly skilled at identifying the heart of a story and shaping it into a clear, precise, and compelling narrative
Commitment to centering impact – from ground up to top-down – into investigative decision-making and story development, and experience in or enthusiasm for engagement reporting methods
Above all, a shared belief that our journalism can – and must – trigger positive change, leading to healthier communities and a healthier world
Tasks will include:
Evaluate and help develop investigative project proposals with an eye to feasibility, challenges, opportunity cost and impact potential
Oversee major stories by coordinating sourcing, news gathering, research, data and analysis to ensure successful, timely roll-outs. Teasing out the most critical and newsworthy findings, presenting that information in a clear and compelling way
Edit multiple iterations of major stories and associated content, engaging closely with other editors on the team
Mentor and train reporters, providing guidance and support to help them grow as journalists
Build and manage relationships with partnering news organizations, in concert with global partnerships coordinator and other editorial staff
Continuously monitor and assess the global health landscape and specific beats to identify important and under-reported stories in coordination with the reporting team
Edit news stories, follow-ups, profiles, explainers and other stories outside of the project cycle as needed
Represent The Examination at conferences and events
Pay and benefits
The estimated salary for this position is between $130,000 and $150,000, commensurate with experience, achievements, and location. While this role is envisioned as U.S.-based, we welcome international candidates and will adapt terms of engagement depending on the country of residence. We offer a fully remote newsroom environment with strong health and retirement benefits, generous leave policies, and support for professional development.
People of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and those with lived experience in the communities we cover are strongly encouraged to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and have zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind.
How to apply
Please send your résumé, a brief cover letter explaining why you are the right person for this role, and links or copies of three investigations you oversaw in a supervisory role, with a short write-up on each describing the process, challenges and anything else that shows your contribution to work@theexamination.org.
If your experience does not match every qualification described here but you believe you can bring something essential to the role, we encourage you to apply and make your case.
Why join us now?
Since launching in 2023, we have produced meaningful, award-winning stories in partnership with dozens of news organizations worldwide — and we’re only getting started. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the editorial direction of a young, ambitious newsroom at a moment of growth and experimentation.
As an investigative editor, you’ll have:
A seat at the strategy table: You won’t just edit stories; you’ll help shape investigative approaches and influence how our journalism is created, delivered and used by audiences who can drive change.
Creative freedom within a mission-driven framework: Our beats are urgent and undercovered, but our model allows room to innovate in storytelling formats, cross-border collaboration and engagement strategies.
Collaborative, high-caliber peers: Work closely with an experienced, globally dispersed team of reporters, data journalists, and partner newsroom editors.
Global reach and influence: Our investigations are designed for international audiences and often lead to tangible outcomes — from regulatory reforms to corporate changes. You’ll be in a position to see your work make a measurable difference.
A commitment to your growth: We offer professional development support and opportunities to represent The Examination on global stages, from conferences to media appearances.