Breaking News Editor

USA Today Co•Columbus, 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.