The award-winning Cambodian media organization, The Phnom Penh Post is seeking a new editor-in-chief to lead editorial operations across its English-language publishing operations.
Part of Post Media, The Phnom Penh Post has a 25-year history of independent journalism in one of South East Asia’s most challenging and compelling media markets.
Reporting to the Publisher on editorial matters and to the Chief Executive on operations, the Editor-in-Chief, is a senior member of the executive team of Post Media and heads an editorial team that is diverse and built on mutual respect for cultures and skills. The Editor-in-Chief in English partners with the Editor-in-Chief Post Khmer on editorial resources and policies.
The successful candidate will have a track record of editorial achievement, direction of staff and the creation of compelling news products. The Post has a successful newspaper business but faces the same challenges as print media worldwide, so strategic thinking about how to capitalise on the dramatic growth of digital platforms and mobile media will be vital.
Background
Founded 25-years ago the Phnom Penh Post has carved out an enviable reputation for editorial independence in a region where media freedom cannot be taken for granted. It is firmly embedded into the life of Cambodia and is keenly watched by political and economic interests at home and abroad. A successful Khmer language edition – with its own Editor-in-Chief – means the business as a significant reach to native speakers as well as expatriates.
An editorial staff of almost 50 available to the English edition combined with a high level of integration with the Post Khmer team, means the role has significant editorial resources to deploy from reporters, editors and photographers through to nascent video and digital teams.
The Post has a strong advertising team across the Khmer and English titles and has developed a significant business in supplements and advertorial projects and is expanding its expertise into social media and video sales to exploit the major reach both titles have in Cambodia.
The Post Khmer Facebook account is the second most-followed in the country almost equivalent to the entire social media population in the country. Most internet traffic to the Post Khmer is from mobile and Facebook while Post English is more evenly spread between mobile users and desktop. The Post is working to develop these audiences.
Responsibilities ♦ Navigating a challenging political environment to protect the highest standards of editorial independence and the sustainability of the Phnom Penh Post ♦ Directing news-gathering and editorial output to create compelling products across the newspaper, online products, syndication and other opportunities and outlets ♦ Working with the Post Khmer leadership and staff to promote a Cambodian identity ♦ Leading change in editorial production and process and being a champion of modernity in working practices and diversity across the organization ♦ Driving editorial innovation in digital, video and multi-media production ♦ Managing editorial processes from news editing to production as necessary, including leading-from-the front on editorial output as time and staffing allows ♦ Setting and managing editorial budgets with the CEO to ensure the sustainability of Post Media and its editorially led product strategy ♦ Working with colleagues in Sales, Marketing and Technology to grow revenue, promote the bands of Post Media and the interests of the business and the publisher ♦ Growing the skills of an often young and culturally and ethnically diverse team with a commitment to training and development and the empowerment of Khmer staff. ♦ Representing Post Media and primarily its editorial interests as required at local and international events and in the discussion issues in the media industry.
Qualifications and skills ♦ The EIC is likely to have a journalism degree or equivalent experience in senior roles. A strong background in your own writing will be important for credibility with staff. ♦ Several years of experience in news leadership roles ♦ Experience working with technology and editorial partners on new digital products ♦ Time in Asia and potentially Cambodia itself ♦ Maturity in leading diverse teams and managing difficult situations and people ♦ An understanding of the importance of sustaining publishing operations in politically challenging environments while preserving editorial values and independence. ♦ Strong written, verbal and presentational skills ♦ Experience managing to budgets and preparing cases for investment
Applications to: [email protected] Please include a one-page summary of your reasons for applying and what you might envisage trying to achieve in the role.