Urgency editor

Clay Today; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Clay Today in Nashville seeks an Urgency Editor to lead fast, distinctive journalism and launch the breaking news report each morning. You will drive rapid, accurate coverage and guide reporters to beat competitors with sharp angles.

The ideal candidate combines strong editing and writing with data-driven decision making, using metrics and authorized AI to inform strategy and maximize audience reach. Collaboration and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years in breaking-news coverage.
• Proven track record leading high-impact coverage.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Ability to coach reporters and manage deadlines.
• Experience using audience metrics and data to guide decisions.

Responsibilities

• Launch and lead daily breaking news coverage.
• Coordinate resources and coverage plans for timely responses.
• Drive urgency and guide coverage throughout the day.
• Elevate enterprise, watchdog and trending stories with beat reporters.
• Monitor audience metrics and data signals.
• Use data tools and authorized AI to inform strategy.
• Develop distinctive coverage plans to attract loyal audiences.
• Coach reporters on framing, deadlines and presentation.
• Edit and write stories quickly while upholding accuracy.
• Collaborate with visuals and audience teams to maximize impact.
• Lead newsroom conversations on urgency and innovation.
• Maintain a culture of ambition, accountability and support.

Skills

Newsroom leadership

Editorial writing

Audience growth

Data-informed reporting

Tools

Analytics tools

AI tooling

Job description

The Urgency Editor

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.

• 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.