Assignment Desk Editor
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.
Atlanta is a destination for many journalists. Here’s a rare chance to join the news team that experienced the most market audience growth in 2024.
WXIA (11Alive), the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Atlanta, is seeking an Assignment Desk Editor with strong editorial judgment, a passion for breaking news, and a commitment to impactful journalism. In this pivotal role, you’ll help drive the daily execution of our editorial strategy across all platforms by identifying stories that matter most to our community.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player with a deep understanding of the fast-paced nature of newsrooms. You’re organized, decisive, and relentless in the pursuit of strong content. You know how to lead during breaking news, have a keen sense of what’s meaningful to the audience, and thrive on tight deadlines. You’ll be expected to uphold 11Alive’s high journalistic standards while helping to set the tone for a forward-thinking, multiplatform newsroom.
You’ll work closely with reporters, producers, photographers, and digital teams—ensuring we’re covering the most relevant stories while maintaining accuracy, urgency, and balance. This position reports to the Managing Editor.
At 11Alive, we take pride in our inclusive and collaborative newsroom culture. We are deeply committed to reflecting the communities we serve and believe digital deserves equal footing with broadcast. If you’re energized by working on a unified content team that believes in purpose-driven journalism, we want to hear from you.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate daily newsgathering logistics and content creation across all platforms.
Maintain an organized assignment calendar, ensuring newsroom stakeholders are informed of upcoming events and editorial opportunities.
Monitor breaking news, develop stories, confirm information, and direct newsroom resources accordingly.
Build and sustain strong working relationships with sources, including public information officers, community leaders, and viewers.
Collaborate with producers and digital editors to deliver timely, accurate, and compelling content.
Lead planning and coverage of large-scale events and enterprise stories months in advance.
Partner with TEGNA stations, NBC News, and local media to enhance story reach and collaboration.
Maintain detailed story files with background materials, contacts, and research.
Stay current on industry trends, audience habits, and newsroom best practices.
Assist with weekend coverage planning and step in as needed to support newsroom operations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Editor or News Director.
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
Minimum 4 years of journalism experience, with proven work on a local news assignment desk.
Exceptional news judgment and the ability to make fast, sound editorial decisions under pressure.
Solid understanding of digital and broadcast workflows.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to coach and guide team members.
Experience with newsroom systems and digital tools for monitoring news and social trends.
Organizational skills to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Strong writing skills and editorial instincts.
A familiarity with or desire to be based in Atlanta is preferred.
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 askhr@tegna.com
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.
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