Urgency editor

Gannett; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Gannett seeks The Urgency Editor to lead fast, distinctive journalism and to launch the breaking news report every morning, ensuring rapid, strategic responses to stories that matter across the newsroom.

This role coaches reporters, partners with editors and uses data, analytics and authorized AI tools to sharpen angles, elevate enterprise coverage and attract loyal audiences across the newsroom.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience covering and managing breaking news in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Demonstrated success leading coverage that outperformed competitors and grew audiences.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Proven ability to coach journalists of varying experience levels.
• Experience using audience metrics, analytics to inform editorial decisions.
• Strong understanding of digital publishing, search, social platforms and engagement strategies.
• Experience using data tools and emerging newsroom technologies, including AI applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting deadlines.
• Facility with AI and automation to enhance journalism.

Responsibilities

• Launch and lead daily breaking news coverage, ensuring rapid, accurate and competitive reporting.
• Coordinate newsroom resources and coverage plans to ensure timely response to developing stories.
• Drive urgency across the newsroom, identifying opportunities for reporters and teams to advance coverage throughout the day.
• Partner with beat reporters and editors to elevate enterprise, watchdog and trending stories.
• Monitor audience metrics, search trends, social engagement and other data signals to guide coverage decisions.
• Use data, analytics and authorized AI tools to identify opportunities, anticipate emerging stories and inform newsroom strategy.
• Develop distinctive coverage plans that separate the newsroom from competitors and attract loyal audiences.
• Coach reporters on story framing, structure, reporting, deadlines and digital presentation.
• Edit and write stories quickly and effectively while maintaining high standards for accuracy, fairness and clarity.
• Collaborate with visual journalists, producers and audience teams to maximize story impact.
• Lead newsroom conversations about urgency, innovation and audience needs.
• Help maintain a newsroom culture that is ambitious, collaborative and supportive.

Skills

News judgment

Writing and editing

Coaching journalists

Audience metrics

Data-informed decisions

Digital publishing

Managing multiple priorities

Decision making under pressure

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Tools

Authorized AI applications

Analytics tools

Public records tools

Job description

The Urgency Editor

is a dynamic newsroom leader responsible for driving fast, distinctive and audience-focused journalism across the newsroom. This editor launches the breaking news report each morning and ensures the newsroom responds quickly and strategically to the stories that matter most. Beyond breaking news, the Urgency Editor serves as a catalyst for aggressive beat reporting, helping reporters identify opportunities, sharpen angles and produce journalism that stands apart from the competition.

Responsibilities

• Launch and lead daily breaking news coverage, ensuring rapid, accurate and competitive reporting.


• Coordinate newsroom resources and coverage plans to ensure timely response to developing stories.


• Drive urgency across the newsroom, identifying opportunities for reporters and teams to advance coverage throughout the day.


• Partner with beat reporters and editors to elevate enterprise, watchdog and trending stories.


• Monitor audience metrics, search trends, social engagement and other data signals to guide coverage decisions.


• Use data, analytics and authorized AI tools to identify opportunities, anticipate emerging stories and inform newsroom strategy.


• Develop distinctive coverage plans that separate the newsroom from competitors and attract loyal audiences.


• Coach reporters on story framing, structure, reporting, deadlines and digital presentation.


• Edit and write stories quickly and effectively while maintaining high standards for accuracy, fairness and clarity.


• Collaborate with visual journalists, producers and audience teams to maximize story impact.


• Lead newsroom conversations about urgency, innovation and audience needs.


• Help maintain a newsroom culture that is ambitious, collaborative and supportive.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience covering and managing breaking news coverage in a fast-paced newsroom.


• Demonstrated success leading coverage that outperformed competitors and delivered significant audience growth.


• Strong news judgment and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.


• Exceptional writing and editing skills.


• Proven ability to coach and develop journalists of varying experience levels.


• Experience using audience metrics, analytics and data to inform editorial decisions.


• Strong understanding of digital publishing, search, social platforms and audience engagement strategies.


• Experience using data tools, public records and emerging newsroom technologies, including authorized AI applications.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting deadlines simultaneously.


• Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.

Preferred Characteristics

The successful candidate has a history of finding creative solutions when circumstances appear impossible. This person can point to examples of journalism "Hail Marys" - moments when innovative thinking, persistence and leadership transformed difficult situations into audience-winning journalism.

The ideal candidate is:

• A gifted writer and editor.


• A strategic thinker who looks around corners and anticipates what happens next.


• Relentlessly curious and highly competitive.


• Comfortable making decisions in high-pressure situations.


• Driven by audience needs and newsroom impact.


• Skilled at transforming rough ideas into compelling journalism, even on the tightest deadlines.


• A trusted newsroom thought partner whom reporters seek out for guidance.


• Compassionate, empathetic and committed to helping others succeed.


• Collaborative, approachable and respected by colleagues across the newsroom.

Success in This Role

Success means consistently leading urgent, high-impact journalism that informs communities, grows audience and strengthens the newsroom's competitive edge. The Urgency Editor not only delivers exceptional coverage but also helps others elevate their work, turning challenges into opportunities and helping the newsroom transform great reporting into indispensable journalism.