U.S. Investigative Editor

Position description

OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) is one of the largest investigative journalism organizations in the world, headquartered in Amsterdam and with staff across six continents. We are a mission-driven nonprofit newsroom that partners with other media outlets to publish stories that lead to real-world action. At the same time, our media development arm helps investigative outlets around the world succeed and serve the public.

 

Our mission is to spread and strengthen investigative journalism around the world and expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account. Our work has four main pillars: Investigations – we lead collaborative cross-border projects and publish hard-hitting stories; Infrastructure – we provide training, tools, and resources so investigative outlets can thrive; Innovation – we develop new technology and solutions that serve the field of journalism; and Impact – we accelerate the fight against global crime and corruption with groundbreaking partnerships.

 

 

Position overview
 

We are hiring an experienced and passionate U.S. Investigative Editor to lead world-class, high-impact investigations into corruption, dark money flows, and organized crime, both in the U.S. and globally.

 

We’re looking for a sharp, collaborative editor with a proven ability to guide complex investigations from concept to publication. This is a rare opportunity to do journalism as it used to be — deep, evidence-based, fearless, and free of corporate interference. You’ll be working alongside some of the most talented investigative journalists in the world, with the resources to dig deep and the global reach to expose wrongdoing wherever it hides.

 

This position is for someone who’s not just an editor but a player-coach — a mentor, collaborator, strategist, and truth-seeker. Lone wolves need not apply: we’re a network, and we work as one.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead major cross-border investigations focused on financial crime, corruption, and organized crime, with an emphasis on U.S. stories that connect to global issues.
• Collaborate with OCCRP’s regional editors, partner organizations, and in-house journalists to build diverse, multi-partner investigative teams.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local U.S. outlets, particularly nonprofit media and investigative units.
• Shape and sharpen complex investigations into clear, compelling narratives for a U.S. audience.
• Uphold OCCRP’s rigorous editorial standards for evidence, accuracy, fairness, and impact.
• Provide hands-on mentorship to reporters from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels.
• Assess and manage risk, ensuring the safety of journalists and the legal integrity of stories.
• Contribute to OCCRP’s editorial management, helping shape policies and improve editorial workflows.
  

 

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For 

• Experience: At least 10 years of investigative journalism, including editing long-form or collaborative projects.
• Editorial Strength: Superb editing, story-shaping, and narrative-building skills, with a sharp eye for structure, voice, and clarity.
• Legal Awareness: Solid understanding of libel, privacy, and media law, especially in the U.S. context.
• Leadership: Strong team-building, mentoring, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Collaborative Spirit: Experience working across organizations, especially with nonprofits or mission-driven newsrooms.
• News Judgment: A nose for stories with public interest, global relevance, and potential for real-world impact.
• Adaptability: Resourceful, self-directed, and able to thrive in a fast-moving, loosely structured environment.
• Outlook: International perspective is essential. We want someone who understands how global corruption affects local communities, and how it works around the world.
  

What Sets This Job Apart 

• You’ll work with the best: OCCRP is a global network with access to some of the most dogged, resourceful investigative journalists on the planet.
• You’ll make a difference: Our investigations have led to arrests, resignations, policy changes, and global impact.
• You’ll have resources: We invest in long-term reporting, not clickbait or content quotas.
• You’ll have freedom: No corporate management. No political agenda. Just truth-seeking journalism with teeth.

Application instructions

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