Breaking News Editor

USA Today CoColumbus, OH

About The Position

The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch.com, the leading news and information provider in the state capital of Columbus and part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks a strategic, digitally fluent journalist to lead our weekend breaking news coverage and daily media site in nearby Newark. This editor will drive digital-first news gathering, champion multimedia storytelling, and ensure our journalism reflects and serves diverse communities.

Requirements

  • Expertise in digital-first news gathering, video production, and social media sourcing.
  • Expertise with public records, data reporting, and data visualization.
  • Strong news judgment, editing skills, and command of journalism ethics.
  • Proficiency with analytics, audience funnel strategies, and digital content optimization.
  • Ability to verify and curate user-generated content and multimedia from social platforms.
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism, media production, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Three or more years of newsroom editing experience, with a track record in digital and public safety journalism.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, multi-platform environment.

Responsibilities

  • Direct breaking and exclusive news coverage with a focus on speed, accuracy, and digital impact.
  • Assign and edit coverage for all platforms, prioritizing mobile, web, and social distribution.
  • Collaborate with visual editors, reporters, and producers to create compelling video content for social platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube) and dispatch.com.
  • Develop and execute strategies for real-time sourcing and verification using social media, public agencies, and community sources.
  • Monitor social platforms for breaking news, trending topics, and user-generated content; verify and incorporate multimedia from public and official sources.
  • Identify top trending stories of the day, based on analytics and audience potential, specific to attracting search and social audiences.
  • Use analytics and audience insights to shape coverage, drive subscriptions, and deepen engagement.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and inclusivity.
  • Mentor reporters in digital news gathering, compelling narratives, and diverse sources.
  • Collaborate across the newsroom and USA TODAY Network to enhance story forms and audience reach.
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