News Director, Digital

Job Description

Purpose

NewsNation is building a new national media outlet for all Americans. We think there's an unmet need for news that isn't tilted toward one ideology or another, walks away from two sides-ism to focus on multiple perspectives when examining the issues, and considers every community across all 50 states. We're dedicated to a truly all-platform experience: a national cable channel plus a vibrant digital presence. We need a roll-up-your-sleeves leader for the digital side of the newsroom who can contribute to the vision for NewsNation and focus on executing it daily. The person who wins this job will in a few years have contributed to building a new and different voice in national news.

The digital news director is responsible for the daily execution of NewsNation's digital coverage. This person will manage the team to deliver original reporting, unique storytelling on all digital platforms, collaborate with NewsNation broadcast leadership on major coverage, and execute the overall digital coverage strategy at NewsNation.

The digital news director will also collaborate with the VP/GM of NewsNation Digital to shape the long-term direction of NewsNation digital and its coverage strategy.

The position is based in Chicago, which combines a big-city social and professional opportunities with affordable Midwest living.

Position Responsibilities
• Help develop editorial strategy and directly oversee its execution on NewsNation's digital platforms, including website, social media, email, app, video and livestreaming.
• Direct editorial decision-making for all digital platforms
• Maintain editorial integrity and uphold NewsNation's mission
• Collaborate with broadcast teammates to plan and execute regular coverage
• Use data to inform and define digital editorial content strategy
• Analyze and communicate audience trends to staff and executive team.
• Monitor and optimize performance to meet daily, weekly and monthly KPIs.
• Help hire and oversee team of digitally savvy journalists.
• Train digital team and broader newsroom on digital publishing best practices.
• Be a resource on search engine optimization, social media and digital audience data trends.
• Escalate and troubleshoot digital platform issues.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in journalism, advertising or marketing or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience
• An established track record overseeing the digital side of a news operation
• Demonstrated ability to deliver differentiation in storytelling and content covering the major news of the day
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a culture where ideas flourish and that maximizes the talent of personnel
• Experience building a distinct news brand or similar experiences an advantage
• Digital-first media experience a major an advantage
• Experience in a national broadcast newsroom an advantage
• Experience collaborating with leaders from multiple platforms to maximize news coverage
• Enjoys working across the organization training journalists on digital best practices
• Quick decisionmaker and creative thinker
• Strong news judgement and ability to determine when local stories have national appeal
• Excellent communicator, both oral and written
• Flexibility to work any shift; early morning, late night and/or weekend shifts may be required

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rzyo4q-18-226-251-22-42 in your application.