Story Desk Manager

TEGNA Inc.•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news. KTHV, the TEGNA-owned CBS in Little Rock, Arkansas, is transforming the way we gather and present news, and we’re looking for a Story Desk Manager to embrace a leadership role in this transition to the newsroom of the future. The successful candidate will guide our team of content creators in story discovery and presentation across all platforms. The person in this position will help manage the story development process throughout the day, having experience with the best practices of running an assignment desk and training others to excel at developing local contacts and responding to breaking news. They’ll also be part of a leadership team that oversees the station’s coverage of breaking news, developing stories and enterprise reporting for streaming, online, app, social media and linear television platforms, while maintaining a focus on stories that matter to our community. The ideal candidate is an experienced journalist with a knack for building a team of people who work smarter, not harder, and are as adept at seeking information as they are in presenting those stories in modern and creative ways. The aptitude to identify and pursue stories that are urgent, impactful and newsworthy is important. The ability to respond urgently to breaking news, calmly manage chaos, pivot quickly, solve problems creatively, train a motivated team, and guide a multi-platform newsroom’s content are all desirable for this leader. Role Summary As the Story Desk Manager, you will lead the Story Management Desk (SMD), a unified desk that replaces the legacy assignment and digital desks. The SMD model ensures a single, streamlined workflow for planning, producing and curating stories across platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or at least 5 years of journalism experience in a local newsroom, digital production, or related role
Superior news judgment and the ability to make fast, sound editorial decisions under pressure
Proven record of success handling breaking news
Experience managing a team of journalists
Demonstrated knowledge regarding content desk operations
Experience helping transform and manage news-gathering systems
Impeccable organizational skills with a keen eye for detail
Demonstrated success as both a team leader and a team player
Effective communication skills
Familiarity with the market, a plus

Responsibilities

Oversee daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments to be competitive across platforms with the goal to own the big story daily
Determine the best format for each story, how it should be presented on different platforms and a reasonable timeline for delivery of those elements
Look ahead and plan coverage or upcoming news cycles
Lead regular story check-ins throughout the day
Maximize audience insights to aid in content choices and improve audience reach
Ensure competitive, engaging and impactful content for all platforms, including digital platforms: website, mobile app and streaming
Plan coverage of stories that matter most to the community, using editorial judgment and social listening
With the Story Desk Editors, provide editorial support for MSJs, producers and photojournalists, including reviewing scripts, videos and content for accuracy, grammar, AP style, digital best practices, fairness and ethical considerations
Lead and communicate newsroom coverage during breaking news, ensuring accuracy, urgency and balance
Uphold TEGNA’s journalistic standards and values across all platforms

Benefits

Two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Access to dental and eye care coverage
Fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance
Disability and life insurance
401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis
Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one
Nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc for all employees and their eligible family members
12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health for all employees and their eligible family members
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit
Nine paid holidays per year