VP ESPN News

The Walt Disney Company•Bristol, CT

About The Position

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. We constantly push the boundaries of how fans connect with sports—wherever they are and however they choose to engage. With cutting‑edge technology, bold ideas, and world‑class talent, we redefine what’s possible in sports storytelling. Every day brings new opportunities to innovate, surprise, and deliver impact. Position Summary: The Vice President, ESPN News serves as the editorial and strategic leader for ESPN’s news operations across all platforms—digital, linear, social, and emerging formats. This executive sets the tone for ESPN’s journalistic excellence, ensuring accuracy, integrity, fairness, and impactful storytelling that meets audiences where they are. This role oversees ESPN’s News Desk and leads the organization’s most urgent, high‑stakes, and high‑visibility coverage. The VP drives cohesive editorial decision‑making, establishes coverage priorities, integrates cross‑platform workflows, and strengthens ESPN’s reputation as the world’s most trusted voice in sports journalism.

Requirements

A minimum of 15 years of journalism experience, including at least 5 years in a senior editorial leadership role.
Proven success managing complex editorial operations and large cross‑functional teams.
Deep expertise in journalistic ethics, media law, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices.
Strong editorial judgment with experience navigating sensitive stories.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to lead through change while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and creativity.

Nice To Haves

Extensive industry experience within innovative or rapidly evolving media environments.
Experience overseeing investigative, enterprise, or high‑impact editorial projects

Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership & Strategy Set and execute the overarching editorial strategy for ESPN’s news coverage across all platforms.
Make consistent, timely, and well‑reasoned decisions during breaking news situations, ensuring clarity and accuracy in real time.
Uphold and champion ESPN’s editorial standards—sourcing, verification, fairness, context, and ethics.
Establish and track network‑wide coverage goals that drive journalistic impact, audience engagement, and storytelling innovation.
Lead cross‑platform editorial initiatives, ensuring aligned news priorities across linear TV, digital platforms, social channels, and ESPN+.
Coordinate coverage with ABC News when stories intersect across divisions.
Newsroom Operations & Cross‑Platform Collaboration Oversee teams of editors and newsroom leaders in multiple locations, setting expectations, providing clear direction, and ensuring accountability.
Collaborate in real time with content leaders across all departments to communicate breaking news decisions and coverage implications.
Organize and chair key editorial meetings, including: Monthly multi‑platform obituaries coordination meeting. Weekly cross‑platform news and enterprise reporting meeting.
Actively participate in cross‑departmental collaboration sessions, such as social content reviews, digital sport summits, and linear kickoff seminars.
Leverage technology and newsroom systems to improve communication, coordination, and workflow efficiency.
Innovation & Audience Engagement Use audience data, market insights, and platform analytics to inform coverage decisions and refine long‑term editorial strategies.
Identify and develop emerging storytelling formats, from long‑form features to explainers, real-time updates, and new content models.
Drive experimentation across platforms to ensure ESPN remains at the forefront of sports journalism.
Leadership, Talent Development & Culture Foster a culture of creativity, urgency, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Champion diversity in content, staffing, perspectives, and sourcing.
Mentor up‑and‑coming journalists and support training and development opportunities throughout the organization.
Model leadership that inspires trust, encourages innovation, and drives high‑quality journalism under pressure.