The Asbury Park Press/APP.com is looking for a news director to work with the executive editor and lead day-to-day operations. This is the No. 2 position in the newsroom. The successful candidate would also have direct oversight of a reporting team, which could be trending, watchdog or something else, depending on skillset and expertise.
The successful candidate will be a newsroom leader overseeing digital news gathering, content production and planning while keeping audience at the forefront of our coverage. The key element of the newsroom is to not just tell readers that things happened, we strive to tell them why it happened, preferable before or as soon as it happens.
This position, which reports to the executive editor, will help guide decisions about what gets covered and how, as well as how to think about opportunities for audience growth across digital, video and social platforms.
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We're searching for a high-impact leader, mentor and coach with a demonstrated ability to provide guidance from idea generation to publication. This editor will create a culture of teamwork and belonging to help the staff expand their skills and grow professionally.
This person should be able to juggle breaking event-driven news, features and in-depth enterprise and watchdog stories for APP.com, plus Gannett's New Jersey and national outlets. Knowledge and experience with SEO, developing staffers and headline writing is a must.
The paper, part of the USA Today Network, is located at the Central Jersey Shore area and is home to great beach towns, a vibrant music scene (Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and may more), and is a short drive or ride to New York City. Historic front pages hanging on the newsroom walls detail the Lindbergh kidnapping, Woodrow Wilson's presidency, the Hindenburg disaster and many other stories.
Our ideal candidate should have 5+ years of managerial experience with the ability to establish strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This position is meant to be a stepping stone. If it sounds intriguing, but you'd like to learn a little more before applying, reach out to Executive Editor Phil Freedman at pfreedman@gannett.com.
Responsibilities:
- Impactful and timely editing. Ensure all content adheres to news standards.
- Primary assigning, story vetting and line editing and managing workflow to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrating strong news judgment in the selection, prioritization and editing of content.
- Coaching and directly supervising front-line journalists, including regular one-on-one meetings.
- Ensuring steady productivity around high-value topics and adjusting as needed.
- Prioritizing DEI values in story selection, sourcing and hiring.
- Helping the staff hone skills in a wide range of storytelling: from real-time digital updates to narrative storytelling, employing alternative story forms and multimedia.
- Using analytics to help determine how to best reach and grow the audience. Increasing digital audience and engagement and growing digital subscriptions
- Assuring daily work is completed on time and efficiently, setting priorities and coordinating with colleagues.
- Writing effective digital headlines, social media posts, briefs and breaking news alerts that help attract audiences through search.
- Leading or coordinating coverage when local news attracts a national audience (with group editor, producer/planners and other partners).
- Reviewing and optimizing beat and topic assignments within local newsrooms (with executive editor).
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ten years of relevant work experience. Five years of management/supervisory experience desired.
- Experience in digital tools, search optimization and social media skills.
- Must not be afraid to speak up under any circumstance.
- Effective core journalism skills, particularly reporting and writing.
- Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Able to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
- Knows how to use time effectively in an always-on workday.
- Works collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
- Must embrace peer-to-peer feedback and training.
- Applies innovative, creative thinking to support the company's goals.
This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law. Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check & drug screen.
We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don't limit your upload to a resume; show us what you've done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you've produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.
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