Story Desk Editor

TEGNA, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) with company match

Teladoc & Spring Health access

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

WBIR-TV, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Knoxville, seeks a Story Desk Editor to lead fast-paced local news coverage across website, app, social, and streaming platforms. You will write, edit, and package stories with urgency, while monitoring digital analytics and SEO impact to grow audiences.

The ideal candidate writes accurately and quickly, with strong newsroom judgment, and can manage multiple streams under tight deadlines. Experience with CMS and social platforms is essential.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in journalism, communications and/or equivalent field experience.
• 1–3 years writing breaking news or AP-style articles.
• Strong communication and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle live, breaking news and fast-changing coverage.
• Strong news judgment and understanding of journalism principles.
• Familiarity with SEO and CMS; editing for digital platforms.

Responsibilities

• Write and distribute original and accurate breaking news content
• Curate and schedule news content on all platforms (website, app, social, streaming)
• Edit reporter stories for grammar, clarity, AP style; optimize for digital
• Use production/story-packaging techniques to enhance digital stories
• Write in an exciting, captivating and authentic tone
• Research for facts and credibility
• Monitor releases and use social listening for content ideas
• Analyze data and metrics to inform editorial decisions
• Manage WBIR podcast room calendar and scheduling
• Ensure podcasts have a producer and proper staffing
• Schedule and optimize 24/7 streaming content based on analytics
• Coordinate with story desk and broadcast producers on priorities
• Uphold newsroom integrity and the station brand across platforms

Skills

Attention to deadlines

News writing

SEO

Audience analytics

Social media

Education

BA/BS in journalism

Tools

CMS

Photo/Video editing

ENPS

Edius

Canva

Job description

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

WBIR-TV, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Knoxville, is searching for an Story Desk Editor who thrives in a fast-paced news environment and has an audience-first approach to writing, producing and distributing local news content. Our digital producers monitor digital audience trends to identify and write engaging local news content that broadens our audience. They are responsible for curating quality content and overseeing the audience experience across all WBIR-TV website, mobile, app, streaming and social media platforms. They work as part of the larger content team to break news and tell great stories in a 24/7 news environment.

The ideal candidate is an avid news consumer and writes accurate, compelling content with a sense of urgency. Qualified candidates should be strong writers, first, with the ability to write quickly and accurately while tracking multiple streams of information. They should also have solid news judgment and experience producing and copy-editing content for digital platforms. Experience with SEO best practices and audience listening are a big plus. We’re also looking for someone with strong initiative and an inner drive who is ready to learn and grow.

Responsibilities

• Write and distribute original and accurate breaking news content
• Curate and schedule news content on all station platforms, including website, mobile app, social media and streaming platforms
• Edit reporter stories for grammar, clarity, structure, AP style and optimize the content for digital
• Use creative production or story-packaging techniques, like subheads, hyperlinks, graphics and media (viewer pictures, user-generated content, etc.) to enhance digital stories
• Write in an exciting, captivating and authentic manner
• Research for facts and credibility
• Monitor news releases and use social listening to find new content, enterprise stories and make community contacts
• Analyze and actively use data and metrics to inform editorial and strategic decisions
• Manages the WBIR podcast room calendar, including scheduling recordings and coordinating guests
• Ensures podcast recordings have a producer assigned and are properly staffed
• Schedules and optimizes 24/7 streaming content by becoming familiar with our analytics, audience trends and what content performs best
• Serve as the liaison between the story desk team and broadcast producers, making sure producers are up to date on new shows, streaming priorities and what content we need to push
• Ensure the newsroom upholds journalistic integrity and the station brand across platforms

Requirements

• BA/BS in journalism, communications and/or equivalent experience in the field
• 1-3 years of experience writing breaking news articles or writing news articles in AP style
• Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to work under constant time pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to calmly handle live, breaking news situations and rapidly changing coverage
• Strong news and editorial judgment, and an understanding of the tenets of professional journalism
• Strong knowledge of AP style, copy editing and SEO best practices
• Experience with CMS, photo and video-editing systems preferred
• The ability to write in an exciting, captivating and conversational tone is preferred
• Experience creating and managing content on social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
• An aptitude for creating and packaging engaging, audience-driven content
• Knowledge of how to interpret and use digital analytics is a plus
• Knowledge of ENPS, Edius, Canva is a plus
• Ability to work various shifts, including mornings, nights and weekends

Benefits

• TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
• Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
• Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
• TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
• * Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.

EEO statement

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [e-mail]