Managing Editor, Newsgathering & Operations

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

FOX Television Stations in Chicago is hiring a Managing Editor, Newsgathering & Operations to lead logistics, field deployment, and the assignment desk. You’ll coordinate field crews and live technology to ensure rapid, safe coverage that beats rivals on breaking news.

Reporting to the VP of News Content and Programming, you’ll shape coverage plans, manage budgets, and partner with engineering and editorial leaders to optimize resources and ensure timely, accurate reporting.

Qualifications

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

• Assignment Desk Leadership: Directly supervise the assignment desk team, overseeing the daily dispatch of reporters, photojournalists, field producers, and live transmission assets.
• Logistics & Field Deployment: Manage live field infrastructure, including live trucks, satellite/microwave assets, bonded cellular gear (e.g., LiveU/Dejero), and crew scheduling.
• Forward Planning & Enterprise Tracking: Maintain the master newsroom planning calendar, organizing logistics for upcoming trials, elections, planned public events, investigations, and enterprise follow-ups.
• Breaking News Mobilization: Lead immediate operational deployment during unscheduled major breaking news, severe weather events, and field emergencies, reallocating crews and live resources rapidly.
• Resource Optimization & Budgeting: Oversee staff shift scheduling, field overtime, travel logistics, gear distribution, and vendor management to maintain operational efficiency.
• Technical & Fleet Operations: Partner with engineering, IT, and operations departments to maintain newsroom field equipment, fleet vehicles, transmission paths, and assignment software systems.
• Safety & Labor Compliance: Enforce field safety protocols, risk management standards, union contract rules, and legal requirements for field crews.
• Cross-Role Collaboration: 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

Field logistics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism

Tools

ENG systems

Satellite transmission

Job description

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox TV Stations

FOX Television Stations (FTS) owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations, including stations in 14 of the top 15 markets and duopolies in 11. Eighteen are FOX Network affiliates, and together the stations produce approximately 1,300 hours of local news every week. FOX LOCAL, the company's free ad-supported digital and streaming product, extends that news, weather and local content across connected TV & mobile devices. LiveNOW from FOX expands the FTS portfolio even further as the only national streaming services to be truly live 24/7, covering breaking news and events as they happen.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Managing Editor, Newsgathering & Operations is a senior newsroom leader responsible for logistics, resource allocation, field deployment, assignment desk management, and long-term coverage planning. Reporting directly to the VP, News Content and Programming, this role focuses on where newsroom assets are deployed and how coverage is logistically executed. Coordinate photojournalist assignments and coverage priorities. Oversee assignment editors, field producers, and live technology to ensure the newsroom is positioned to beat competitors on breaking news and execute complex field assignments safely and efficiently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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

Required 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as an Assignment Manager, Field Operations Director, Planning Editor, or Newsroom Logistics Lead in a top-30 market.
• Deep knowledge of local government structures, public safety protocols, court systems, and regional geography.
• Experience navigating union bargaining agreements and field safety guidelines.
• Spanish-language proficiency.

Core Competencies

• Field Logistics & Crew Dispatch
• Assignment Desk Supervision
• Forward Coverage Planning
• Crisis Mobilization & Rapid Response
• Resource Allocation & Fleet Management

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $125,000.00-150,000.00 annually. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

View more detail about FOX Benefits.