Story Desk Lead - Multi-Platform Newsroom Chief

TEGNA, Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid holidays

Health benefits

Teladoc access

Spring Health

Job summary

KHOU in Houston, part of TEGNA Inc., seeks an experienced Story Desk Manager to lead a unified workflow for planning, producing and curating stories across platforms. The role focuses on timely, accurate coverage and a strong editorial leadership style.

The ideal candidate will direct a team of journalists, oversee breaking news coverage, and ensure adherence to journalistic standards while driving innovative storytelling for TV, web, app and social platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or at least 5 years of journalism experience in a local newsroom, digital production, or related role.
• Superior news judgment and the ability to make fast, sound editorial decisions under pressure.
• Proven record of success handling breaking news.
• Experience managing a team of journalists.
• Demonstrated knowledge regarding content desk operations.
• Experience helping transform and manage news-gathering systems.
• Impeccable organizational skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Demonstrated success as both a team leader and a team player.
• Familiarity with the market, a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments to be competitive across platforms with the goal to own the big story daily.
• Determine the best format for each story, how it should be presented on different platforms and a reasonable timeline for delivery of those elements.
• Look ahead and plan coverage or upcoming news cycles.
• Lead regular story check-ins throughout the day.
• Maximize audience insights to aid in content choices and improve audience reach.
• Ensure competitive, engaging and impactful content for all platforms, including digital platforms: website, mobile app and streaming.
• Plan coverage of stories that matter most to the community, using editorial judgment and social listening.
• With the Story Desk Editors, provide editorial support for MSJs, producers and photojournalists, including reviewing scripts, videos and content for accuracy, grammar, AP style, digital best practices, fairness and ethical considerations.
• Lead and communicate newsroom coverage during breaking news, ensuring accuracy, urgency and balance.

Skills

News judgment

Editorial decisions

Team leadership

Content desk operations

News gathering systems

Organizational skills

Team player

Market familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications

Job description

KHOU in Houston, part of TEGNA Inc., seeks an experienced Story Desk Manager to lead a unified workflow for planning, producing and curating stories across platforms. The role focuses on timely, accurate coverage and a strong editorial leadership style.

The ideal candidate will direct a team of journalists, oversee breaking news coverage, and ensure adherence to journalistic standards while driving innovative storytelling for TV, web, app and social platforms.