Bureau Chief

Job Description

Overview

The Auckland Bureau Chief is a key leader in Newshub's Auckland newsroom, managing a pool of reporters and assigning stories. The Bureau Chief works with the Director of News gathering and with the other news leaders to provide quality, engaging news content using the resources of the Auckland newsroom.

This is a central role in news planning and gathering through the day, commissioning and assigning stories to reporters as well as checking scripts and stories to ensure content is of a high standard. There is a strong mentoring component, and the Bureau Chief will use his or her own long experience of broadcast news-gathering to encourage and guide staff.

This role is part of the News Leadership Team, and will be responsible with that group for forming news strategy, influencing policy around crucial matters such as health and safety and editorial stance. The Auckland Bureau Chief is also responsible for managing costs to budget.

Responsibilities
• Generate daily news ideas and treatments for newsworthy content into all Newshub shows
• Working with the Director of Newsgathering and the show EPs to lead and manage daily reporter output to TV bulletins and programmes.
• Drive and support reporter stories for TV and Digital platforms ensuring that stories are filed through the day as necessary and improving output in this regard
• Sub reporter scripts before final check by 6pm producers
• Liaise closely with EPs of shows to improve overall reporting quality
• Work alongside Wgtn and Chch Bureau chiefs to create a Newshub nationwide newsroom.
• To support Newshub special programmes as required.
• Manage and support Auckland-based reporters as a mentor, trainer and leader
• Work with Promo Editor for quality promotion of daily worthy stories and associated angles
• Work closely with the Operations and editorial departments to enhance opportunities for Newshub.
• Develop team members through regular 1:1s and performance achievement reviews.
• Management of Auckland reporting staff, including formal line management.
• Responsibility to develop direct reports to enhance skills, promote innovation, and encourage learning.
• Ensure all stories are editorially and legally sound, and BSA-compliant
• Work with legal team on BSA complaints
• The Employee shall ensure they are familiar with the Employer's health and safety policies and procedures, and any modifications to those policies and procedures that may be introduced from time to time.
• Carry out your work safely and without endangering or causing harm to yourself, fellow staff members, contractors, customers, visitors, or the general public.
• Other duties as required.
• The Company may, after fair and reasonable consultation, change your duties, from time to time, for commercial reasons but not so as to substantially change the nature of the position.

Qualifications
• Tertiary level qualification or equivalent industry experience of 5+ years
• Strong organisational skills
• Excellent editorial skills in writing and sub editing
• Knowledge of New Zealand news and current affairs
• Strongly committed to creating an environment where all employees are included, are treated with dignity and respect and are in a position to contribute to our future success.
• Good interpersonal skills
• A team player who will both take direction and encourage/advise less experienced journalists
• A generous team member who appreciates individual and business successes
• Seen as a leader within the newsroom
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and perform effectively under pressure
• Close attention to detail
• Effective communicator both internally and externally
• A generator of original ideas
• Understanding of and engagement with digital platforms including social networks
• Ability to deal with stressful situations
• Highly organised, and able to multi-task
• Calm under pressure
• Ability to work unsupervised
• Competitiveness to drive constant improvement
• Flexibility to work varied shifts and hours if required

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r07k41-3-133-131-168-42 in your application.