Head of Public Discourse

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is one of the nation’s largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.

Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.

Position Summary

Chicago Sun-Times is seeking an experienced and innovative editorial leader to lead and expand the Chicago Sun-Times’ strategy on public discourse and community perspectives, building on the newsroom’s legacy of distinctive, trusted voices. The Head of Public Discourse will define the strategy, commission and edit compelling commentary, develop staff columnists and contributors, experiment with new ways of sharing and exchanging commentary and broaden the range of Chicago perspectives represented across digital, audio and print, including but not limited to, newsletters, social video and web displays. They will also help reporters build recognizable brands and authority around their areas of expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Sun-Times’ public discourse strategy, ensuring it reflects the breadth of Chicago and advances the organization’s editorial standards and public-service mission
• Recruit, commission and edit staff writers, freelance contributors, community voices and subject-matter experts
• Coach reporters and columnists to develop clear, distinctive points of view and deepen their authority on the issues and communities they cover
• Develop recognizable staff voices that build trust and give readers reasons to return across platforms.
• Work with reporters to identify opportunities for their expertise to reach audiences through columns, newsletters, social, video, events and other formats 
• Partner with newsroom, audience, visual and product teams to identify the strongest formats, platforms and presentation for opinion content.
• Maintain high standards for accuracy, fairness, clarity and ethical journalism.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five or more years of editorial leadership experience, with a strong background in newsroom commentary and journalism.
• Demonstrated commitment to journalistic ethics and inclusive coverage.
• Excellent news judgment and editing skills.
• A strong understanding of Chicago, its communities and the issues shaping the region.
• Demonstrated ability to develop journalists’ voices, expertise and public-facing authority on multiple platforms.
• Experience developing writers and working with a wide range of contributors and perspectives.
• Ability to shape compelling, audience-focused content across platforms.

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, digital media, public affairs, or a related field preferred; advanced degree also preferred.

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $145,000 - $160,000 per ANNUM.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position.  The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  

Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.