Deputy Opinion Editor

Deputy Opinion Editor

The Bay Area Newspaper Group is seeking an experienced opinion journalist to serve as deputy opinion editor for The East Bay Times and The Mercury News. This is an opportunity to contribute thoughtful analysis and persuasive commentary on regional and statewide issues, helping shape public discourse and policy. Our opinion editors have been recognized for some of California's best editorial and column writing, receiving more than 20 awards since 2010 from the California News Publishers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists' Northern California chapter. They also contributed to the East Bay Times coverage that won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting.

Our editorials generally advocate for progressive social issues and fiscal responsibility, including support for police reform, government transparency, public employee pension reform, environmentally sound water policy, utility accountability, and privacy protections in the tech industry.

This hybrid role is based in the East Bay. Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the area.

What You Will Do:

• Write editorials and opinion columns focused on regional and statewide issues.
• Edit local commentary submissions, syndicated op-eds, and staff opinion content.
• Perform backreading of letters to the editor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to standards.
• Participate in editorial board discussions and contribute to the development of editorial positions.
• Analyze public policy across areas such as education, crime, taxation, land use, housing, and transportation at multiple levels of government.
• Maintain an informed interest in politics, public policy, and current events affecting the East Bay and California.
• Collaborate with editors, writers, and leadership to produce the daily opinion report for print and digital platforms.

What You Will Bring:

• Five or more years of experience in a professional newsroom. Experience writing or editing opinion content is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong editing skills, including knowledge of AP style and attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of Bay Area, California, national, and global current events.
• Experience analyzing public policy and interviewing public officials or political candidates.
• Background in reporting, opinion writing, and editing.
• Familiarity with East Bay and California issues is a plus.

The salary range is $80,000 - $85,000 + cell stipend. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility).

As the Bay Area's top source for local news, the Bay Area News Group reaches more than 5 million people weekly through a powerful combination of print and digital products. Our publications include The Mercury News serving Silicon Valley and the Peninsula; the East Bay Times serving Oakland, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton and the rest of the East Bay; and more than 20 weekly publications. We connect with a diverse and engaged audience, offering a premiere local news report and comprehensive advertising and marketing solutions across web, mobile and print platforms. The Bay Area News Group is a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, which has 49 Pulitzer Prizes and a nationwide audience, delivering award-winning content across 800 platforms and leading the transformation of the news industry.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

How To Apply:

• Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here. Along with your resume, please include a 600-word cover letter articulating why you are qualified for the position and five published writing samples that showcase your best work.

Closing Date:

• Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions Of Employment:

• A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation
• Travel This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed
• Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours