Lead, Newsroom Operations & Field Logistics

FOX; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

FOX is seeking a Managing Editor, Newsgathering & Operations to lead logistics, field deployment, and assignment-desk leadership in our Chicago newsroom. You will optimize resources, manage live technology, and steer complex field deployments under deadline pressure.

The role requires directing desks, coordinating crews, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while aligning with linear and streaming show requirements. Excellent crisis and project management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Operations, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in newsroom operations, assignment desk management, or field logistics leadership in a broadcast media environment.
• Deep experience directing assignment desks, dispatching field crews, and managing live field technology under strict deadline pressure.
• Thorough operational knowledge of newsroom planning systems, electronic newsgathering (ENG), satellite/cellular transmission systems, and scheduling software.
• Strong crisis management, project management, and resource optimization capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise the assignment desk team, overseeing the daily dispatch of reporters, photojournalists, field producers, and live transmission assets.
• Manage live field infrastructure, including live trucks, satellite/microwave assets, bonded cellular gear (e.g., LiveU/Dejero), and crew scheduling.
• Maintain the master newsroom planning calendar, organizing logistics for upcoming trials, elections, planned public events, investigations, and enterprise follow-ups.
• Lead immediate operational deployment during unscheduled major breaking news, severe weather events, and field emergencies, reallocating crews and live resources rapidly.
• Oversee staff shift scheduling, field overtime, travel logistics, gear distribution, and vendor management to maintain operational efficiency.
• Partner with engineering, IT, and operations departments to maintain newsroom field equipment, fleet vehicles, transmission paths, and assignment software systems.
• Enforce field safety protocols, risk management standards, union contract rules, and legal requirements for field crews.
• Partner continuously with the Managing Editor, Linear & Streaming to align logistics, field feeds, and live assets with linear and digital show requirements.

Skills

Crisis management

Project management

Resource optimization

Assignment desk management

Field logistics leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Operations, or equivalent professional experience

Job description

FOX is seeking a Managing Editor, Newsgathering & Operations to lead logistics, field deployment, and assignment-desk leadership in our Chicago newsroom. You will optimize resources, manage live technology, and steer complex field deployments under deadline pressure.

The role requires directing desks, coordinating crews, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while aligning with linear and streaming show requirements. Excellent crisis and project management skills are essential.