Director - National Security, MS NOW Newsgathering

Versant•Washington, DC

8h•$175,000 - $200,000

About The Position

MS NOW is seeking an experienced and innovative journalist to direct coverage of national security. You’ll join a modern and nimble Newsgathering team in Washington with a start-up mentality and a mandate to meet audiences where they are across all platforms. The National Security team will focus on original reporting that holds power to account and helps our viewers, readers and listeners understand how decisions in Washington ripple across the nation and around the world. As the team leader, you’ll guide coverage of the most important story lines around national security, defense and diplomacy – including at White House, Pentagon, State Department and intelligence agencies – to bring a sophisticated, contextual lens to the beat. You’ll supervise a high-powered team and direct our reporting for all platforms of MS NOW – live programming, MSNBC.com, newsletters, digital video, audio, social media and more. You’ll often contribute yourself as well. This role requires sharp editorial instincts to understand the stakes of every policy shift in Washington and how each news development can reshape relationships across the nation’s power centers. The successful candidate must have exceptional managerial skills and a demonstrated ability to look around corners to identify where story lines – and the news environment – are headed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant working experience
At least 10 years of professional journalism experience
Substantial experience directing coverage and supervising journalists is strongly preferred
Experience assigning, editing, or producing content across multiple platforms (e.g., TV, digital, social, audio, newsletters)
Proven track record of enterprise journalism, breaking news, or political analysis that drives audience engagement
Excellent editing skills — an ability to edit everything from a 4,000-word investigation to a 250 word fast-turn breaking news blog post under tight deadlines Impeccable news judgment and writing skills
Experience overseeing both powerhouse reporters and growing junior talent
Excellent communication skills — tact, sensitivity, diplomacy, persuasion
Demonstrated self-starter, with the confidence to make decisions quickly in a fast-paced news environment
Flexibility to work outside standard hours when news breaks

Responsibilities

Lead news coverage of the national security, defense and diplomacy across all platforms of MS NOW
Mentor and manage a team of journalists to break news and advance story lines
Assign and shape stories with sharp angles and grounded in context
Collaborate across coverage teams and platforms to ensure cohesive storytelling that delivers original news and insight for our audiences
Represent the team in editorial meetings for daily coverage and planning for special events
Develop new ideas to innovate across platforms to reach new audiences
Support other editorial projects and Newsgathering growth initiatives in a start-up environment