Story Desk Manager

TEGNA Inc.•Wilkes-Barre, PA

11d

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. WNEP-TV, TEGNA’s ABC affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa. has an opening for a Story Desk Manager. 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. This position requires planning and coordination of on-air and online news coverage in our 17-county viewing area in northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Position Overview: The Story Desk Manager works with other newsroom leaders to oversee daily news editorial decisions while also setting strategic goals for the newsroom. You will guide our team of content creators in story discovery and presentation across all platforms with a strong digital-first directive. As the Story Desk Manager, you will manage breaking news coverage on all platforms and direct digital strategy for WNEP’s far-reaching CTV app, mobile app and social media sites. You will play a key role in charting the station’s digital content and growth strategy. We’re looking for an exceptional people-focused leader with experience training teams to grow audiences on multiple platforms while maintaining a focus on stories that matter to our community. Analyzing data and disseminating information to the entire newsroom is also an imperative part of the role. 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.

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 analyzing audience data and identifying behavioral trends. Google Analytics experience a major bonus
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
Strong written and verbal communications, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
Familiarity with the market, a plus
Ability to work a variety of shifts, including nights, early mornings, weekends, overtime, and breaking news situations as needed
Knowledge of AP Style 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
Actively partner with the news director to program our CTV app for optimal success
Look ahead and plan coverage for upcoming news cycles
Lead regular story check-ins throughout the day
Analyze and actively use data and metrics to inform editorial and strategic decisions and to create accountability for results
Ensure competitive, engaging and impactful content for all platforms, including digital platforms: website, mobile app and streaming
Collaborate with other departments to monetize the success of our digital platforms
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