OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Application Deadline: Please submit your application materials by Friday, November 6th, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST

Intro to Position

As a member of the Visuals team, the Senior Visual Editor will be primarily focused on editing and producing content for NPR’s Investigations and Long Form Podcast Unit and projects. This producer will primarily work on commissioning and editing photography and illustration for all NPR platforms. This is a temporary position and ends in June 2027.

NPR Visuals is focused on creating and distributing content that reflects and serves America. We work with teams across NPR, our member stations, and content partners to tell stories and engage audiences on NPR.org, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other visual platforms.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.

This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.

Responsibilities

Commission and edit original photography and illustrations for NPR stories and podcasts.
Innovate, execute, assess and iterate visual projects for all platforms.
Edit, research and license images for all NPR platforms including NPR.org, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and emerging platforms.
Work with photographers, illustrators, agencies and vendors to process contracts and invoices from assignments.
Handle photo imaging, captions and credits for stories you edit.
Attend meetings as needed with the Visuals team, desks, podcasts and shows.
Contribute to planning and creating strategic efforts to effectively reach new and existing audiences on digital platforms
Coordinate with member station journalists and other content partners as needed in order to acquire, publish and distribute visual assets for NPR and other public media platforms.
Effectively represents the interests and capabilities of NPR visuals with colleagues across the company
Provide guidance and feedback to other Visual team members.
Occasionally photo edit breaking news stories or large scale news events.
Research, pitch, write and produce stories for NPR’s visuals blog, The Picture Show.
Uphold the highest standards for NPR’s visual journalism and storytelling.
Collaborate with NPR’s Instagram team on creating engaging visual content for the platform.
Stay up to date with NPR broadcasts, podcasts, reporters, news wires, competition and internal communications to make sure our visual storytelling is optimized and smart.
Additional duties as assigned by your manager.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Required Skills

Photographic storytelling experience, preferably with a major network or newsroom, studio or creative agency.
Mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud programs related to video and photo design. (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere).