Story Desk Manager
About The Position
TEGNA Inc. 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. KING 5, TEGNA’s NBC affiliate in Seattle, is looking for a Story Desk Manager to lead a unified group that replaces the legacy assignment desk and digital teams. We are looking for a manager who is impactful, tenacious, and organized. This is one of the most influential leadership positions in our newsroom. 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, lead our digital strategy, and train others to excel at developing local contacts and respond to breaking news. This leader serves as the newsroom's expert on digital audience analytics by understanding performance across every platform and turning metrics into meaningful insights that guide decision-making, content strategy, and continuous improvement. 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 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
- Ability to analyze digital metrics and synthesize the information for the entire newsroom
- Experience managing a team of journalists
- Demonstrated knowledge regarding content desk operations
- Impeccable organizational skills with a keen eye for detail
- Demonstrated success as both a team leader and a team player
- Effective communication skills
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with the market, a plus
Responsibilities
- Lead the newsroom's digital operation, including KING5.com, the KING 5 mobile app, all socials, and our 24/7 streaming apps.
- Oversee daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments to be competitive across platforms with the goal to own the big story daily
- Look ahead and plan coverage or upcoming news cycles
- Maximize audience insights to aid in content choices and improve audience reach
- Plan coverage of stories that matter most to the community, using editorial judgment and social listening
- 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 with company match
- Nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc
- 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Nine paid holidays per year
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
