Supervising Editor, Digital - Breaking News and Live

BBC Group and Public Services; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The BBC Group and Public Services operates in Washington DC or Los Angeles, seeking a Supervising Editor, Digital - Breaking News and Live to steer the daily digital news agenda for the US and Canada, supervising a team of 40+ journalists across text and video.

This senior role requires impeccable judgement, extensive breaking news experience, and the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed, with a strong commitment to impartial, trusted journalism.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years in a daily digital news operation.
• Experience directing major breaking news coverage under pressure.
• Experience across text, video, social and audience.
• Strong news judgement and editorial standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the daily news agenda for US/Canada digital output.
• Lead breaking news response to ensure fast, accurate coverage.
• Manage 40+ journalists across text, video, social and audience.
• Collaborate with teams across bureaus and countries to serve US/Canada audiences.

Skills

News editing

Editorial leadership

Digital news

Audience growth

Impartial journalism

Job description

Supervising Editor, Digital - Breaking News and Live

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Language Log in to Profile BBC Employee Login CREATE JOB ALERT Supervising Editor, Digital - Breaking News and Live Job Description Job Requisition ID: 35793 Job Closing Date: 30 September 2026 Washington, USA, 20036

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: E
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time. At will.
FLSA Status: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: BBC News
LOCATION: Washington DC or Los Angeles
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: $140,000 – $160,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
This is a local hire position and eligible candidates must be able to live and work in the US (US citizenship, Green Card or work authorisation). Previous applicants need not apply.

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The BBC’s North American digital team covers US and Canadian news for both domestic and global audiences. As one of our Supervising Editors, you will direct the daily news agenda for digital and oversee the output of more than 40 journalists working across text and video. We are seeking an experienced editor with impeccable judgement and a strong background in leading breaking news coverage. Please note this role involves some evening and weekend working.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join one of the most trusted news brands in the US. The BBC offers independent, impartial journalism with global reach. This senior role is an exciting opportunity to shape coverage for the BBC News website and app that will reach an audience of tens of millions. Based in either our Washington or Los Angeles newsrooms, you will collaborate with teams across the US and Canada as well as our global bureaus, and report to our Head of Digital News for North America.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

Deliver the daily agenda for digital news out of the US and Canada, exercising impeccable news judgement and constantly monitoring a wide range of sources to keep us ahead of the competition
Lead our response to breaking news to ensure we are fast and accurate – you will know when to send a push notification, launch a live blog and prioritise resources accordingly
Run the output of a team of more than 40 journalists, at different levels of seniority and working across text, video, social and audience
Work collaboratively with colleagues in other teams, bureaus and countries to best serve the BBC’s audiences in the US and Canada
Assign, edit and coach journalists at all stages of the reporting process – you will ensure our stories are focused, compelling and compliant with the BBC’s editorial standards
Grow audiences in the US by generating clear plans for digital coverage – using search and social insights to anticipate audience needs, and generating distinctive angles that will make the BBC stand out

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

At least 10 years experience in a daily digital news operation, with significant news editing experience and an in-depth knowledge of US and Canadian affairs
Demonstrable experience and a passion for directing major breaking news coverage – ensuring accuracy and speed in an intense, high-pressure environment
Experience in all aspects of digital news production and curation, with a strong understanding of how to best present our coverage, from sharp headlines to a smartly curated front page
Experience of growing audiences, and using data to inform decisions about how to reach them, and of working collaboratively across teams and time zones
Enthusiasm for the BBC’s position as a trusted news brand in the US, and an understanding of the importance of impartiality – and what it means in practice
If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: [e-mail]

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BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.