About the job
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) empowers individuals to thrive in their communities by delivering trusted local news and essential services. With a robust network of 64 television stations spanning 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA connects with over 100 million people monthly through web, mobile, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are dedicated to fostering a sustainable future for local journalism.
Job Title: Story Desk Manager – First Coast News, WTLV/WJXX
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, WTLV/WJXX is the TEGNA-owned NBC and ABC affiliate that is revolutionizing the way we gather and present news. We are on the lookout for an innovative Story Desk Manager who will take on a pivotal leadership role in our transformation towards the newsroom of the future.
The ideal candidate will lead our dynamic team of content creators in the discovery and presentation of stories across all platforms. This role involves managing the story development process throughout the day, leveraging industry best practices at the assignment desk, and mentoring others to cultivate local contacts and respond effectively to breaking news. As part of our leadership team, you will oversee the station’s coverage of breaking news, developing stories, and enterprise reporting across streaming, online, app, social media, and linear television platforms, with a keen focus on stories that resonate within our community.
The perfect fit for this role is an accomplished journalist who excels at building a team that works intelligently and efficiently, combining a talent for information gathering with creative presentation skills. You should possess the ability to identify urgent and impactful stories, respond promptly to breaking news, maintain composure in chaotic situations, pivot quickly, and solve problems creatively. Training and guiding a motivated team in a multi-platform newsroom is essential for this leadership position.
Role Summary
As the Story Desk Manager, you will lead the Story Management Desk (SMD), an integrated desk that modernizes and streamlines our legacy assignment and digital desks. The SMD model guarantees a cohesive workflow for planning, producing, and curating stories across all platforms.
Key Responsibilities
• Direct daily coverage decisions and reporter assignments to maintain competitiveness across platforms, aiming to own the big story every day.
• Determine the optimal format for each story, its presentation across various platforms, and a reasonable timeline for delivering these elements.
• Anticipate and plan for upcoming news cycles.
• Conduct regular story check-ins throughout the day.
• Leverage audience insights to inform content decisions and improve engagement.

