Story Desk Editor

About the role

The Story Desk Editor at WQAD, the TEGNA-owned ABC affiliate in Davenport, is a hybrid role combining the skills of an assignment editor and a digital content producer. This position serves as the hub of the newsroom, driving daily editorial execution, curating and producing impactful stories, and ensuring content connects authentically with audiences across streaming, digital, social, and broadcast platforms. As part of the Story Management Desk (SMD), you will lead coverage during breaking news, shape daily story planning, and streamline workflows for planning, producing, and curating stories across platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and communicate newsroom coverage during breaking news, ensuring accuracy, urgency, and balance.
• Identify and plan stories that matter most to the community using editorial judgment and social listening.
• Create and edit engaging content for digital platforms: website, mobile app, and streaming.
• Guide newsroom logistics and provide editorial support for MSJs, producers, and photojournalists.
• Edit reporter content for accuracy, grammar, AP style, digital best practices, fairness, and ethical considerations.
• Enhance storytelling with creative elements such as graphics, video, and audience-submitted content.
• Use available metrics to inform coverage and improve audience reach.
• Support newsroom operations and coverage planning as needed.
• Uphold TEGNA’s journalistic standards and values across all platforms.

Requirements

• 0–1 years of journalism experience in a local newsroom, digital production, or related role.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to make fast, sound editorial decisions under pressure.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce accurate and compelling content quickly.
• Experience with newsroom systems and CMS tools.
• Organizational skills to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset that thrives in a team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or equivalent experience.

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing 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 web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. The company is reimagining local journalism for the newsroom of the future, guided by values such as Demand the Truth, Work Smarter, Debate Fearlessly, Listen Carefully, and Zero-Base Every Process.

Pay

Pay range: $20—$22 USD per hour.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) program with a 100% company match on contributions up to 4% of pay, fully vested from day one.
• Nine free virtual doctor’s appointments annually through Teladoc for all employees and eligible family members, regardless of medical plan participation.
• Twelve free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit and nine paid holidays per year.
• Note: Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and benefits may vary for newsroom bargaining unit employees.