Job DescriptionThe Houston Chronicle is seeking a Local Government Editor to lead coverage of Houston City Hall, Harris County and the region's fast-growing suburbs.
Houston is the nation's fourth largest city, and Harris County is one of the most populous and politically significant counties in America. It's home to Ted Cruz, will host the RNC in 2028 and has been at the center of a years-long clash between a Democratic-run county and a Republican state government. Decisions made here influence policy debates across Texas and increasingly at the national level.
This editor will play a central role in advancing the Chronicle's core content strategy:
- We are first and best at breaking news.
- We deliver high-impact and exclusive reporting you cannot get anywhere else.
- We help you live here.
Local government coverage sits at the center of that mission. This team explains how decisions about flooding, housing, public safety, taxes, infrastructure and growth shape daily life across the Houston region. The editor will lead a team responsible for competitive breaking news, agenda-setting coverage and service journalism that makes Houston easier to navigate.
You will join a newsroom recognized nationally for innovation and investigative work, and one focused on growing digital audiences and deepening subscriber engagement.
Key responsibilities- Set the vision and daily news agenda for city and county government coverage in alignment with our first-and-best, exclusive and service-driven content strategy
- Lead a team of reporters to break news competitively and authoritatively
- Drive high-impact accountability and enterprise reporting
- Edit and elevate work across formats, including breaking news, explainers, live blogs, investigations and data projects
- Develop beat strategies that prioritize deep sourcing, public records, exclusives and strong service angles
- Ensure reporting is accurate, urgent and contextual, with rigorous editorial standards
- Coach and develop reporters through clear expectations and consistent feedback
- Partner with visuals, data, Capitol Bureau and audience teams to strengthen presentation, reach and subscriber impact
- Use analytics and audience insights to refine coverage priorities
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that reflects the diversity of the Houston region
We're looking for someone who- Has at least 8 years of relevant journalism experience, including significant experience as a senior reporter and/or editor covering government or politics
- Thrives in competitive breaking news environments and knows how to build systems that win
- Understands how to balance breaking news urgency with longer-term planning
- Is fluent in digital storytelling and comfortable guiding coverage across formats
- Uses metrics to inform strategy and coach reporters, without compromising news judgment
- Can translate complex policy, budgets and bureaucratic systems into clear, accessible journalism
- Demonstrates strong knowledge of journalism ethics
- Leads with clarity, organization and accountability
- Has knowledge of Houston and Harris County government, strongly preferred, or comparable experience in another major metro
#LI-KR1 #LI-Hybrid
