Managing Editor

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is seeking a qualified individual to lead daily editorial direction at WCBD TV in Mount Pleasant, SC. The candidate will oversee the assignment desk, manage breaking news response, and ensure coverage aligns with community relevance and ratings.

Key responsibilities include supervising staff, coaching reporters, and enforcing journalistic standards. The position requires strong leadership and communication skills, with a focus on delivering high-quality news content across platforms.

Qualifications

• Experience in a newsroom environment.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Ability to enforce ethical journalism standards.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily editorial direction and agenda.
• Oversee assignment desk and content flow.
• Drive story quality and execution.
• Take charge during major breaking news.

Job description

Overview

WCBD TV is an NBC Affiliate Station owned by Nexstar Media Inc. We are located in the beautiful Lowcountry area of Charleston, SC. Charleston is known for its warm weather, friendly people, charming downtown, outstanding food, beautiful beaches, and so much history.

Note: This description excludes non–job-specific application instructions.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead Daily Editorial Direction
• Help set the editorial agenda for the day
• Participate in (or run) editorial meetings alongside the News Director/EPs
• Decide which stories get covered, prioritized, and developed
• Ensure coverage aligns with:
• Station brand
• community relevance
• ratings / digital strategy

Assignment Desk & Content Flow

• Oversee Assignment Desk & Content Flow
• Directly supervise or closely coordinate with the assignment desk
• Manage:
• crews and reporter deployment
• breaking news response
• logistics (live shots, feeds, resources)
• Ensure efficient use of newsroom resources

Drive Story Quality & Execution

• Work with reporters and producers to:
• sharpen story angles
• elevate storytelling (exclusivity, enterprise)
• enforce accuracy and journalistic standards
• Review scripts, rundowns, and coverage plans when needed

Breaking News Leadership

• Take charge during major breaking news
• Make fast decisions on:
• coverage scale
• live coverage vs. packaged
• team deployment and priorities
• Coordinate across platforms (TV, web, social)

Cross-Platform Content Strategy

• Ensure alignment between:
• broadcast
• digital
• social platforms
• Push for:
• real-time updates
• web-first publishing when needed
• consistent messaging across platforms

Supervise and Develop Staff

• Coach reporters, MMJs, producers, and assignment editors
• Provide feedback on:
• writing
• storytelling
• news judgment
• Help identify growth opportunities and training needs

Maintain Editorial Standards & Ethics

• Enforce:
• accuracy
• fairness
• legal guidelines
• Review sensitive or high-risk content before airing/publishing
• Ensure compliance with company policies
• Long-Term & Enterprise Planning
• Look beyond the daily cycle to:
• plan sweeps coverage
• identify investigative or enterprise opportunities
• coordinate special projects

How It Typically Fits in a Local Newsroom

Reports to: News Director

• Works closely with:
• Executive Producers
• Digital team
• Assignment Desk Manager
• Reporters/MMJs

Often supervises:

• Assignment desk
• sometimes reporters

In Practical Terms (Day-to-Day)

• Morning editorial call → refine coverage plan
• Midday check-ins → adjust for breaking news
• Afternoon/evening → oversee execution & troubleshoot
• Constant communication with desk, producers, reporters