Urgency editor

AgUpdate; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AgUpdate in Nashville seeks an Urgency Editor to lead fast, distinctive journalism and launch the breaking news report each morning, ensuring rapid, accurate coverage.

This role blends urgency with strategy, using metrics, data and authorized AI to inform decisions and to grow audiences through innovative storytelling, while coaching reporters and collaborating across desks for maximum impact.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years leading breaking news coverage in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Proven track record of growing audiences through urgent, distinctive reporting.
• Strong writing and editing skills with high standards for accuracy and clarity.
• Ability to coach reporters across experience levels.

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

Editing & writing leadership

News judgment under pressure

Audience metrics & data-informed

Collaborative leadership

AI tools for journalism

Tools

Audience analytics tools

Public records

Emerging newsroom tech

Authorized AI 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.

The ideal candidate is a talented editor and writer with a proven track record of leading high-impact coverage, thriving under pressure and delivering audience growth through smart, innovative storytelling. This person combines urgency with strategy, using metrics, data, reporting tools and authorized AI to inform decisions and maximize reach. They are a collaborative, compassionate leader who helps reporters do their best work and creates a culture of ambition, accountability and support.

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.