Assignment Editor

Saicon; Bristol (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Saicon is seeking an Assignment Editor I to coordinate freelance and staff reporters and production personnel for worldwide ESPN sports coverage, guiding editorial emphasis and logistics across international and domestic efforts. You will gather news, manage crews, plan events, clear social media content, and liaise with ESPN networks, ABC NewsOne, and affiliates, with nights and weekend shifts.

Requires three years in TV and strong sports knowledge; MS Office skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in a television-related field.
• Strong knowledge of sports and ability to communicate clearly.
• Experience with TV production and electronic newsgathering preferred.
• Ability to manage high email and phone traffic and coordination across teams.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate freelance and staff reporters and production personnel for ESPN coverage.
• Gathers news, disseminates information, and coordinates with inter-show and inter-corporate teams.
• Advance planning for shows and events; hires freelance crews and manages logistics.
• Clear social media content for ESPN platforms and coordinate with affiliates and networks.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sports events and production requirements.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

TV production experience

Adaptability

Flexible schedule

Spanish language

Education

Broadcast field degree

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Description: Summary

• The Assignment Editor I will coordinate the efforts of freelance and staff reporters and associated production/technical personnel in worldwide electronic sports coverage to provide visual sports/news program material for all aspects of the International Sports Centers, and related shows including but not limited to ESPN PacRim, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Latin America regions, ESPN UK, and ESPN Brasil, ESPN China and Netherlands.
• Oversees all details of specific projects as assigned by Assignment Manager and International SportsCenter Coordinating Producers. Recommends and suggests appropriate production and editorial emphasis, and techniques to field reporters in order to enhance coverage and story impact. Responsible for keeping constant communication between International and Domestic efforts relating to sports news or news coverage. Handles all ancillary crew needs, such as parking, credentials, Ethernet, phone lines, and permits. Understands basic rights and clearances issues. Participates in strategic editorial and logistical planning of coverage. Acts as the liaison between the Bureau staff, Shows, Media Operations, and Transmission. Gathers and communicates content for use on ESPN platforms, working with ESPN staff and vendors, social media, affiliates and other networks. Shifts will include nights and weekends

Responsibilities:

• Gathers news; disseminates information among all other production staff; acting as liaison for inter-show, and
• inter-corporate dealings; advance planning for show/company events; hires freelance crews; reacts to breaking news stories
• Reacts to breaking news on an immediate basis and gathers story related materials (sound and video) on a timely basis
• Being informed and up-to-date on sporting events and sports knowledge
• Clears social media content for ESPN Platforms
• Advanced planning for show as well as news gathering projects
• Daily planning for studio shows - after daily prioritizing of events
• Coordinates remote and studio events, creating synergy between remote and studio productions.
• Collaborates with ABC NewsOne/ABC affiliates/ESPN Domestic and International regions as well as other networks on breaking news stories, sharing information video or sound
• Possessed depth knowledge of ENG and SNG crew/trucks as well as booking satellite and fiber feeds or any other
• Digital form like IP, Cellular, FTP and viral newsgathering procedures for booking purposes
• Works well in a team setting, shows initiative and problem solving skills; takes direction from Assignment Desk
• management, coordinating producers, news editors, producers and senior Editors
• Stays informed and up-to-date on sporting events and has above-average sports knowledge

Requirements

• A minimum of Three years’ experience in a television related field required
• Strong knowledge of sports, superior interpersonal and communication skills, technical knowledge of TV production and electronic newsgathering with capacity of handle high-volume email and phone traffic
• Strong knowledge of international sports, especially basic understanding of international Soccer leagues,.
• Demonstrated initiative and positive, solution-oriented outlook
• Advance ability to organize and prioritize, commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs: Outlook, Excell, Word

Education:

• College degree in related broadcast field required

Preferred Requirement:

• Fluency in Spanish (verbal/read/write)

Must-Have Skills

• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience or familiarity with TV, digital media, or production environments.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Flexible with work schedules and changing business needs.

Preferred Skills

• Production coordinator or assignment editor experience.
• Experience supporting news gathering operations.
• Experience coordinating production crews.
• Knowledge of sports and sports media.
• Spanish language skills are beneficial but not required.

Ideal Candidate Background

The hiring manager described the ideal candidate as entry- to mid-level, with approximately three years of relevant experience in production, newsroom, assignment desk, digital content, or related media operations.

They are looking less for deep technical expertise and more for someone who:

• Is highly organized.
• Thrives in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
• Has a production mindset and understands how media operations function.
• Communicates effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Can quickly absorb training and new processes.
• Demonstrates flexibility and initiative.
• Has a genuine interest in sports, particularly international sports, though deep soccer expertise is not required.
• Sports Knowledge Expectations

The manager emphasized that candidates do not need to be soccer experts. An ideal candidate:

• Enjoys sports in general.
• Understands basic distinctions between major international soccer leagues (EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga, etc.).
• May also have knowledge of NFL, MLB, NBA, or other major sports.
• Can learn sports-specific content quickly.

What Will Make a Candidate Stand Out

• Production or newsroom experience.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and high email volume.
• Assignment desk, booking, or crew coordination experience.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Prior work supporting sports media, broadcast production, or digital content teams.

Bottom line:

The manager is prioritizing organizational ability, communication skills, adaptability, and production/media experience over highly specialized soccer knowledge or Spanish fluency. A candidate with newsroom, production coordination, assignment desk, or digital media experience who can work flexible hours and learn quickly would be the strongest fit.