Title: Managing Editor 

Division: Portland Mercury (a division of Noisy Creek)

Incumbent: None

Location: Portland, Oregon
Classification: Full-time, Exempt, Management
Reports to: Mercury Editor-in-Chief
Salary: $95K-$105K

Application deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

The Portland Mercury—a scrappy, independent, alternative source of news and information located in Portland, Oregon—is looking for a smart, dedicated Managing Editor to help oversee day-to-day operations in our editorial department, which is committed to bringing top-notch news and culture reporting to our community, amplifying underrepresented voices, and showing the city a good time. 

This position will primarily focus on assisting the editor-in-chief (EIC) with the execution of the Mercury’s vision, including managing workflow and the editorial budget, supporting staff with daily practical needs, organizing production flow of print products, handling internal issues and performance assessments, while also assisting with editing and proofreading. The position also includes many opportunities for general assignment reporting and writing.

The Managing Editor role carries supervisory authority—including hiring, performance management, and addressing staff concerns—in partnership with the EIC. They will supervise select section editors, assist and work alongside unionized staff, and coordinate with the production team to produce a monthly print product. This position plays a key leadership role in onboarding, and cross-departmental operations. 

This position requires excellent, proven leadership abilities, strong editorial expertise, superb mediation and organizational skills, and—this is important—a great sense of humor.

Key responsibilities: 

Systems and processes

• Implement and design editorial workflows, style guides, and internal processes.
• Help develop and execute the publication’s editorial calendar, including web and print.
• Lead coordination with the production team to ensure their needs are met with print and web content, and editorial deadlines are maintained.
• Coordinate with our social media and marketing managers, as well as the advertising department to ensure smooth production.

Organizational leadership

• Serve as EIC’s primary support, including occasionally covering EIC responsibilities when needed.
• Work with the EIC to oversee the editorial department’s budget, allocating funds to staff, and ensuring efficient use of resources, while also managing freelance pay.
• Assist the EIC in the supervision of select section editors, including managing schedules, providing feedback, and overall management responsibilities.

Editorial content

• Assist editorial staff with daily needs, including adhering to deadlines and providing editing and proofreading assistance. 
• Mentor staff writers, helping them produce the very best possible content. 
• General writing contributions for both web and print.
• Assist freelance writers, answering their questions and addressing any concerns. 

Ideally, we’d like applicants to possess the following: 

• Three-plus years of journalism and/or editorial department experience—managerial experience is a definite plus.
• Demonstrated writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Superb organizational skills, including the ability to regularly meet or exceed deadlines.
• The ability to juggle multiple deadlines while keeping a cool head and maintaining a positive attitude.
• Demonstrable mediation skills, with expertise in problem solving, bringing creative ideas to the table, and the ability to work effectively with managers from other departments and divisions.

Preferred qualifications

• Having a fun, can-do attitude and being able to exhibit editorial flair.
• Possessing an inspiring, positive personality that can bring out the best in employees.
• A working knowledge of Portland, and what makes it so special.
• A love for progressive politics, and uplifting underrepresented communities.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Employer contributes toward medical, dental, and vision premiums
• Retirement Plan: SIMPLE IRA with employer matching contributions
• Paid Vacation: Accrued vacation starting at two weeks per year, increasing to 4 weeks after 5 years.
• Paid Sick Time: One week accrued per year, with rollover
• Paid Holidays: Ten paid holidays, a paid holiday week between December 25 through January 1, plus two any-day floating holidays
• Additional Paid Leaves: Bereavement leave, jury duty leave, plus options to supplement state paid family and medical leave.
• Commuter Benefits: Discounted transit pass
• Professional Development: Annual stipend to support training and career-related learning
• Employee Assistance Program: Access to wellness and financial support services
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax savings options for medical, dependent care, and commuter expenses

Why Join Noisy Creek?

Aside from being an equal opportunity employer, we’re also a vibrant, creative team that believes the more diverse voices that are at the table, the better the conversation—and the work! We realize that not everyone receives the same professional or educational opportunities, so if you don’t meet all the above qualifications but still think you’d be a good fit, please consider applying. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other underrepresented communities. If you want to be part of a team where your skills and ideas are valued, we want to hear from you!

Application Deadline

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Additional Information 

This is a full-time, exempt, management position that reports directly to the EIC. The typical schedule is Monday-Friday (though you may be asked to work nights and weekends on occasion). Some telecommuting is allowed, as approved by the EIC. And just so you know, the Mercury is a very fun place to work, with nice people.