About this Assignments/Story Desk Editor role at TEGNA Inc.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.
NEWS CENTER Maine, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliates in Portland and Bangor, are transforming the way we gather and present news. We’re looking for an Assignments-Story Desk Editor to embrace our transition to the newsroom of the future.
This hybrid role combines the skills of an assignment editor and a digital content producer to serve as the hub of the newsroom. This position drives daily editorial execution to make certain our news team is curating and producing impactful stories, and ensures our content connects authentically with audiences across streaming, digital, social and broadcast platforms.
Role Summary
This Assignments-Story Desk Editor role is based in Portland.
You will lead coverage during breaking news, shape daily story planning, and help curate content across platforms. This position requires decisive editorial judgment, strong writing skills, and the ability to thrive under tight deadlines. You will collaborate with MSJs, producers and photojournalists to deliver accurate, relevant and engaging stories that serve the community.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead and communicate newsroom coverage during breaking news, ensuring accuracy, urgency and balance
• Marshal news teams in Portland and Bangor to win every breaking news story, get there first, get best images, most urgent sound & information, best context
• Be in constant communication with Meteorologists on big weather event days. Plan big weather coverage in advance whenever possible
• Monitor scanners, news wires, social media, and other sources for breaking news and potential stories
• Assign Photographers to shoots, MSJs, holds, 207
• Assign Producer and Editor for the Maine Monitor Segment
• Assign Producer and Editor and assist with "Political Brew"
• Oversee identification and assignment of news stories
• Collaborate with the team on daily coverage plans, and communicate plans to Producers, Digital & Field Crews
• Assist EP/Assistant News Director and News Director with long-term coverage plans
• Assist Digital with stream planning (livestream and show plans)
• Maintain and manage editorial calendars and planning tools
• Help with newsroom logistics, including crew scheduling, travel arrangements, and support for field operations.
• Communicate with Desks at NBC/CNN, send PKGs and Coverage notes as needed
• Lead Morning meetings as needed
• Build Story Desk team schedules, help manage team PTO
• Use available metrics to inform coverage and improve audience reach • Support newsroom operations and coverage planning as needed
• Uphold TEGNA’s journalistic standards and values across all platforms
What You’ll Bring
• 5-10 years of journalism experience in a local newsroom, digital production, or related role
• Strong news judgment and the ability to make fast, sound editorial decisions under pressure
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce accurate and compelling content quickly
• Experience with newsroom systems, CMS tools
• Organizational skills to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset that thrives in a team environment
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or equivalent experience
Benefits:
TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [email protected]
Recruiting Fraud Alert:
To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.
Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.