NewsNation Assignment Editor (Chicago)

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with company matching

Paid Parental leave

Life insurance

Job summary

NewsNation is seeking an Assignment Desk Editor in Chicago to manage the national assignment desk across morning, dayside, and primetime programming for a 24-7 cable news network.

The role requires 5–10 years newsroom experience, a journalism degree, and flexibility to work extended shifts, including weekdays and holidays, with strong writing and coordination skills to gather and verify top stories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5–10 years newsroom experience, ideally national or top local market.
• Willingness to work extended or modified shifts as news warrants.
• Flexibility to adjust schedule and assignments as network needs evolve.
• Willingness to work weekdays and holidays as needed.
• Strong writing, organizational, and people skills are vital; attention to detail is key.

Responsibilities

• Man NewsNation's national assignment desk during varied shifts.
• Identify news of interest to a national audience.
• Research stories and verify information with sources.
• Gather editorial elements (video, audio, pictures) to tell stories.
• Coordinate coverage with correspondents, producers, and photojournalists.
• Maintain contact with field teams to support live hits.
• Monitor social media and clear user-generated content.
• Coordinate with Nexstar TV stations to share content.

Skills

Writing

Organization

People skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism

Job description

NewsNation is looking for an Assignment Desk Editor to work on the network's national assignment desk from our offices in Chicago. The Assignment Desk Editor will help ensure that the network is well positioned to cover the day's top stories across morning, dayside, and primetime programming for the 24-7 cable news network.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Man NewsNation's national assignment desk during varied shifts
• Identify news of interest to a national audience
• Research stories, conduct outreach to sources to verify information and report out stories
• Gather editorial information and elements to best tell stories including video, audio, and pictures
• Coordinate coverage of news stories: news of day, breaking news, continuing stories with correspondents, producers, and photojournalists
• Maintain direct contact with field teams to offer support, request and confirm live hits
• Monitor social media and clear user generated content
• Monitor competitive broadcasts, cable and digital platforms
• Work with Nexstar T.V. stations to harness additional reporting resources and story elements and to provide NewsNation content to stations
• Occasionally coordinate booking of transmission facilities and satellite space for live/tape feeds
• Utilize various file sharing platforms to gather video
• Follow and communicate Rights and Clearances restrictions
• Assist in compiling editorial and logistics notes used by the newsgathering and show teams
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
• Five to ten years of newsroom experience ideally in national news or a top local market.
• Must be willing to work extended or modified shifts as news developments warrant.
• Flexibility to adjust schedule and assignments as network’s needs evolve.
• Must also be willing to weekdays and holidays as needed.
• Strong writing, organizational, and people skills are vital.
• Attention to detail is key.
• The successful candidate will be a self-starter with excellent communication skills who brings lots of ideas to the table.

Salary Range

$50,000 to $60,000 annually

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees includes, but not limited to, medical (with multiple plan options), dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) with company matching contributions, Paid Parental leave, life insurance and more. Part time employees are eligible for 401(k) and any local/state leave plans. Union positions are subject to the benefits outlined in their Collective Bargaining Agreement.