Story Desk Editor

About the role

WBIR-TV, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Knoxville, is searching for a Story Desk Editor who thrives in a fast-paced news environment and has an audience-first approach to writing, producing, and distributing local news content. Our digital producers monitor digital audience trends to identify and write engaging local news content that broadens our audience. They curate quality content and oversee the audience experience across all WBIR-TV website, mobile, app, streaming, and social media platforms. They work as part of the larger content team to break news and tell great stories in a 24/7 news environment.

The ideal candidate is an avid news consumer and writes accurate, compelling content with a sense of urgency. Qualified candidates should be strong writers, first, with the ability to write quickly and accurately while tracking multiple streams of information. They should also have solid news judgment and experience producing and copy-editing content for digital platforms. Experience with SEO best practices and audience listening are a big plus. We’re also looking for someone with strong initiative and an inner drive who is ready to learn and grow.

Responsibilities

• Write and distribute original and accurate breaking news content
• Curate and schedule news content on all station platforms, including website, mobile app, social media, and streaming platforms
• Edit reporter stories for grammar, clarity, structure, AP style, and optimize the content for digital
• Use creative production or story-packaging techniques, like subheads, hyperlinks, graphics, and media (viewer pictures, user-generated content, etc.) to enhance digital stories
• Write in an exciting, captivating, and authentic manner
• Research for facts and credibility
• Monitor news releases and use social listening to find new content, enterprise stories, and make community contacts
• Analyze and actively use data and metrics to inform editorial and strategic decisions
• Manage the WBIR podcast room calendar, including scheduling recordings and coordinating guests
• Ensure podcast recordings have a producer assigned and are properly staffed
• Schedule and optimize 24/7 streaming content by becoming familiar with our analytics, audience trends, and what content performs best
• Serve as the liaison between the story desk team and broadcast producers, making sure producers are up to date on new shows, streaming priorities, and what content we need to push
• Ensure the newsroom upholds journalistic integrity and the station brand across platforms

Requirements

• BA/BS in journalism, communications, and/or equivalent experience in the field
• 1-3 years of experience writing breaking news articles or writing news articles in AP style
• Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to work under constant time pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to calmly handle live, breaking news situations and rapidly changing coverage
• Strong news and editorial judgment, and an understanding of the tenets of professional journalism
• Strong knowledge of AP style, copy editing, and SEO best practices
• Experience with CMS, photo, and video-editing systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to write in an exciting, captivating, and conversational tone
• Experience creating and managing content on social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
• Aptitude for creating and packaging engaging, audience-driven content
• Knowledge of how to interpret and use digital analytics
• Knowledge of ENPS, Edius, and Canva
• Ability to work various shifts, including mornings, nights, and weekends

Benefits

TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental, and financial health of our employees and their families.

• Two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance
• Disability and life insurance
• 401(k) program with company match: 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, regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans
• Twelve free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year

Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply.