• Section One: Personal Information

    Thank you for your interest in Poynter’s Essential Skills for Rising Newsroom Leaders in 2025. Your information will not be saved until you submit this application. Please be ready with: your professional experience, areas of interest, basic demographic information, and a reference letter in text-only format before starting this application. An incomplete application will be reviewed as is. | The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. | Questions? Email us at info@poynter.org.
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  • Please include country code if outside the U.S. If no phone number is available, please say none.
  • Please note that we can accept only English-fluent candidates whose newsrooms have operating structures similar to U.S.-based newsrooms.

Essential Skills for Rising Newsroom Leaders (Oct. 2025)

$1,550.00

Apply Now

Essential Skills for Rising Newsroom Leaders (Oct. 2025)

This dynamic, in-person, five-day workshop will focus on the critical skills that new managers need to help forge successful paths to leadership in journalism, media and technology. This training is also being offered in April.

October 20, 2025– October 24, 2025

Overview

  • This in-person-only program takes place Oct. 20-24 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Poynter Institute.
  • The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Space is limited and this course will fill up quickly, so apply soon.
  • Establish your credibility as a leader, even if you are new in your role.
  • Learn how to manage people who were once your peers, friends or bosses.
  • Provide feedback and coaching that will help your staff improve.
  • Receive 360-degree feedback from your own organization.
  • Discover your talents and top themes with a Gallup CliftonStrengths report.
  • Connect with a cohort of other new managers for transformational leadership training.

$1,550.00

Apply Now
SKU: M406B-25 Tag:

Learning Outcomes

In this interactive, five-day workshop, you will:

  • Focus on critical skills new managers need on their paths to leadership in journalism, media and technology.
  • Understand how to delegate effectively.
  • Learn how to conduct fair conversations that get results.
  • Gain tactics for onboarding and retention of top talent.
  • Analyze your situation to achieve better work-life chemistry.
  • Learn the art of managing up.
  • Learn what leading a distributed team really means, and how to address all types of work needs.

$1,550.00

Apply Now

Overview

  • This in-person-only program takes place Oct. 20-24 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Poynter Institute.
  • The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Space is limited and this course will fill up quickly, so apply soon.
  • Establish your credibility as a leader, even if you are new in your role.
  • Learn how to manage people who were once your peers, friends or bosses.
  • Provide feedback and coaching that will help your staff improve.
  • Receive 360-degree feedback from your own organization.
  • Discover your talents and top themes with a Gallup CliftonStrengths report.
  • Connect with a cohort of other new managers for transformational leadership training.

Training five or more people?
Check out our custom training.

Let Poynter help you jumpstart your management career.

Whether you’re a few years into your first management position or just starting your journey, this  popular in-person workshop will help you build a strong foundation and give you the tools to help your teams excel and succeed.

You’ll receive personalized feedback from your colleagues about your strengths and challenges. You’ll get help for leading your staff through periods of turmoil and uncertainty, as well as growth and opportunity. You’ll get customized advice for addressing your most pressing concerns during small-group coaching sessions with Poynter instructors.

Overall this experience was so incredible. I made connections with people that I feel will stand the test of time. I learned so much about myself and what I can do to continue growing in my profession. I left the week inspired, motivated and excited about the work ahead. 

— 2023 Essential Skills attendee

After the five-day workshop at Poynter’s waterfront campus in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, you’ll return home with improved self-awareness and management tools that will begin paying dividends immediately. Apply as soon as you’re interested as this program will fill up quickly.

Questions?

If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org.

This in-person-only program takes place Oct. 20-24 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Poynter Institute. Sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time most days. Lunch is provided during the seminar.

Accepted applicants must plan to arrive on site no later than the start date and time of Essential Skills (no late arrivals), and should expect to dedicate uninterrupted time to the program for its duration.

Below is an overview of the schedule. It is subject to change:

Day 1 | Let’s Get Started

Day 2 | Understanding Yourself and Your Leadership Style

Day 3 | Being the Manager Your Colleagues Need

Day 4 | Getting What You Need for Yourself and Others

Day 5 | Develop an Action Plan to Take Back With You

Questions?

If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org.

Who should apply?

Newer newsroom managers with up to five years of experience as leaders and those who are about to be promoted to roles in which they’ll manage direct reports.

Cost

Tuition for this program is $1,550. It includes five days of in-person learning, small group coaching, facilitated 360-degree feedback, a Gallup Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, and lunch and snacks.

Participants (or their employers) will be responsible for the cost of travel and accommodations. Poynter works with local hotels to ensure a fair rate. More details will be shared with selected applicants.

Application process

The process to apply is straightforward and simple. A letter of recommendation or reference is required. Please be prepared to answer questions about your professional experience, areas of interest and basic demographic information. You will not be charged when you apply — only selected applicants (or their employers) will be invoiced for the cost of attendance.

Please apply as soon as you know this program is for you. Space is limited and this course will fill up quickly. The deadline is Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

Instructors

  • Tony Elkins
    Faculty
    Tony Elkins, a citizen of the Comanche Nation, is a faculty member at Poynter. His portfolio includes Poynter's early and mid-career leadership workshops Essential Skills...
    Read More
  • Fernanda Camarena
    Faculty
    Fernanda Camarena is an award-winning TV and radio reporter and editor who was most recently a manager on NBC News' Standards and Practices team, where...
    Read More

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