Editor, Billy Penn

WHYY
150 N. 6th St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
United States

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Category: Online | New Media

Employment Type: Full time

Posted: 02.09.2026

Billy Penn at WHYY is a local news vertical that informs and engages with Philadelphians. We are looking for the next leader to steward Billy Penn s editorial leader must have digital journalism writing and editing experience, as well as reporting experience and a command for search engine optimization.

The Billy Penn staff covers everything from breaking news to urban life to food and fun. Billy Penn’s tone is different from a legacy news site with clear, direct language and an equal interest in serious and light‑hearted topics. The publication’s voice is like a knowledgeable Philly friend, and the audience skews younger than traditional news audiences.

Billy Penn’s distribution methods include a website with originally reported articles that may also be produced for radio. It has a strong social media presence on multiple platforms, a daily email newsletter, a community events program, and a membership and philanthropic giving program. It also offers multiple sponsorship opportunities via events and online products.

The next editor of Billy Penn will be a strong digital editor and have the ability to externally represent that brand  addition, candidates who have business experience and the ability to support business operations are encouraged to apply.

Founded in 2014 as a startup, Billy Penn was acquired by WHYY in 2019.

This position is responsible for managing Billy Penn’s editorial and community engagement. The editor will work with other departments on cultivating Billy Penn’s membership/donors and revenue strategies. The Billy Penn editor is responsible for the management of the Billy Penn staff, which presently includes a team of reporters and a deputy editor, as well as any assigned staff.

The editor will strategize coverage and assign stories from reporting staff and freelancers, and oversee the work of a deputy editor to edit, obtain artwork to run with, and produce the stories for publication. The editor will lead coverage of the daily newsletter and social media content. Billy Penn’s editor must be adept at editing and digital storytelling and thus able to further establish the news brand’s Philadelphia‑centric voice.

The editor also will coordinate coverage and use of resources with the WHYY newsroom, other WHYY editors, and the Billy Penn staff will contribute radio stories to the WHYY News FM operation. The position ensures that Billy Penn’s work reaches the broadest audience possible through the use of WHYY’s multiple digital platforms and through content partnerships and events.

We are seeking an enterprising digital journalist to become the next editor and a leader who will work to ensure the sustainability of the Billy Penn brand, which includes collaboration with WHYY revenue departments (major gifts, membership, underwriting and foundation relations).

• Manage and edit Billy Penn’s reporting staff.
• Develop Billy Penn content across platforms such as written and radio reporting, social media, photography, video, newsletters, etc.
• Direct the deputy editor, including assigning and editing stories and digital content.
• Create and manage Billy Penn’s social media and newsletters strategies.
• Develop a news brand’s voice on digital platforms that inspires and delights, including experience covering major metro areas like Philadelphia.
• Command SEO and develop voice in all forms of content, including headline writing, editing and writing.
• Develop annual metrics with input from WHYY executives to measure Billy Penn’s success and implement strategies that aim to meet or exceed them.
• Parlay WHYY newsroom systems to coordinate and communicate with other WHYY editors and producers.
• Attend regular news and staff meetings and present at meetings or trainings as needed.
• Work with interdepartmental teams to increase revenue via membership, grants, donors and supporters.
• Work with digital platforms, website content management systems, social media…