Story Desk Manager (Managing Editor)

TEGNA; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage options

401(k) with matching

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Virtual doctor’s appointments

Job summary

A media organization in Jacksonville is seeking a Story Desk Manager to lead their newsroom. The role involves overseeing daily news coverage and reporter assignments, planning future news cycles, and ensuring high-quality journalism across multiple platforms. Ideal candidates will possess extensive experience in journalism and strong leadership skills. The position offers competitive benefits and the opportunity to shape the future of news reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or relevant experience.
• 5+ years in a local newsroom or digital production.
• Proven success in handling breaking news.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments.
• Determine presentation formats for stories across platforms.
• Lead regular story check-ins throughout the day.
• Maximize audience insights for content choices.
• Provide editorial support for scripts and videos.

Skills

News judgment

Editorial decision-making

Team management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications

5+ years of journalism experience

Job description

Job Title: Story Desk Manager – First Coast News, WTLV/WJXX

WTLV/WJXX, the TEGNA‑owned NBC and ABC affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida, is transforming the way we gather and present news, and we’re looking for a Story Desk Manager to lead the newsroom of the future.

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

Role Summary

As the Story Desk Manager, you will lead the Story Management Desk (SMD), a unified desk that replaces the legacy assignment and digital desks. The SMD model ensures a single, streamlined workflow for planning, producing and curating stories across platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments to own the big story each day across platforms.
• Determine the best format for each story and how it should be presented on different platforms within a reasonable timeline.
• 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.
• Uphold TEGNA’s journalistic standards and values across all platforms.

What You’ll Bring

• 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.
• Effective communication skills.
• Familiarity with the market, a plus.

Why TEGNA

TEGNA is reimagining local journalism for the newsroom of the future. With 64 stations across 51 markets, we deliver trusted, fact‑based news that informs, engages, and empowers communities. Our values – Demand the Truth, Work Smarter, Debate Fearlessly, Listen Carefully, and Zero‑Base Every Process – guide everything we do.

Benefits

• Two medical plan options for full‑time and part‑time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, plus dental and eye care coverage, fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance, disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) program with match up to the first 4% of pay, 100% vested from day one, and contribution options for full‑time, part‑time and temporary employees.
• Nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with Teladoc and 12 free annual therapy sessions with Spring Health for all employees and eligible family members.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and nine paid holidays per year.
• Some jobs may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement; for those employees, benefits may differ.

EEO Statement

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal‑opportunity employer. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Recruiting Fraud Alert

To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA recruiters or hiring managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains. Recruiters or hiring managers will never request payments, financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.