WTSP, the TEGNA-owned CBS station in Tampa, FL, is transforming the way we gather and present news, and we're looking for a Story Desk Manager to embrace a leadership role in this transition to the newsroom of the future.
The successful candidate will guide our team of content creators in story discovery and presentation across all platforms. The person in this position will help manage the story development process throughout the day, having experience with the best practices of running an assignment desk and training others to excel at developing local contacts and responding to breaking news. They'll also be part of a leadership team that oversees the station's coverage of breaking news, developing stories and enterprise reporting for streaming, online, app, social media and linear television platforms, while maintaining a focus on stories that matter to our community.
The ideal candidate is an experienced journalist with a knack for building a team of people who work smarter, not harder, and are as adept at seeking information as they are in presenting those stories in modern and creative ways. The aptitude to identify and pursue stories that are urgent, impactful and newsworthy is important. The ability to respond urgently to breaking news, calmly manage chaos, pivot quickly, solve problems creatively, train a motivated team, and guide a multi-platform newsroom's content are all desirable for this leader.
Role Summary
As the Story Desk Manager, you will lead the Story Management Desk (SMD), a unified desk that replaces the legacy assignment and digital desks. The SMD model ensures a single, streamlined workflow for planning, producing and curating stories across platforms.
Responsibilities
• Oversee daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments to be competitive across platforms with the goal to own the big story daily • Determine the best format for each story, how it should be presented on different platforms and a reasonable timeline for delivery of those elements • Look ahead and plan coverage or upcoming news cycles • Lead regular story check-ins throughout the day • Maximize audience insights to aid in content choices and improve audience reach • Ensure competitive, engaging and impactful content for all platforms, including digital platforms: website, mobile app and streaming • Plan coverage of stories that matter most to the community, using editorial judgment and social listening • With the Story Desk Editors, provide editorial support for MSJs, producers and photojournalists, including reviewing scripts, videos and content for accuracy, grammar, AP style, digital best practices, fairness and ethical considerations • Lead and communicate newsroom coverage during breaking news, ensuring accuracy, urgency and balance • Uphold TEGNA's journalistic standards and values across all platforms
Requirements
What You'll Bring
• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or at least 5 years of journalism experience in a local newsroom, digital production, or related role • Superior news judgment and the ability to make fast, sound editorial decisions under pressure • Proven record of success handling breaking news • Experience managing a team of journalists • Demonstrated knowledge regarding content desk operations • Experience helping transform and manage news-gathering systems • Impeccable organizational skills with a keen eye for detail • Demonstrated success as both a team leader and a team player • Effective communication skills • Familiarity with the Tampa Bay market a plus