Supervising Editor, Digital - Breaking News and Live

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

Job summary

BBC News in the US seeks a Supervising Editor to direct the daily digital news agenda for US and Canada, overseeing 40+ journalists working across text and video. The role requires impeccable judgement and strong breaking-news leadership.

Some evening and weekend work is expected. Based in Washington DC or Los Angeles, you will collaborate with teams across the US, Canada, and global bureaus, reporting to the Head of Digital News for North America, and ensure coverage meets BBC editorial

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in a daily digital news operation.
• Significant news editing experience in US/Canadian affairs.
• Experience directing major breaking-news coverage under high pressure.
• Experience in digital news production and curation.
• Experience growing audiences and cross-team collaboration.
• Commitment to impartial BBC editorial standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the daily agenda for digital news out of the US and Canada, exercising impeccable news judgement and monitoring sources.
• Lead our response to breaking news: decide on push notifications, live blogs, and resource priorities.
• Run output of 40+ journalists across text, video, social, and audience.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other teams, bureaus, and countries.
• Assign, edit and coach journalists through the reporting process to ensure compelling, compliant stories.
• Grow US audiences by planning digital coverage using search and social insights.

Skills

10+ years experience

Breaking news leadership

Digital news production

Audience growth

Cross-team collaboration

Editorial standards

Job description

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

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]