FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

WXMI, the E.W. Scripps owned FOX affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan is looking for a Senior Editorial Manager to join our team.

The Senior Editorial Manager w orks closely with peers in executing the Scripps content strategy. This role is directly responsible for leading a large, shared-resource, content operations group that collects and distributes/publishes content for all platforms, so that local consumer expectations are met on all platforms including app, OTT audio/video, social, television and station website. This responsibility includes the local content vision and strategy to address consumer needs, content standards, delivery, quality control and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Collaborates with Sr. Director of Local Content and team of peers to leverage the Scripps content strategy as the foundation for specific local content strategy.
• Leads the daily editorial process so that all assignments are executed and delivered on time and of the highest possible quality.
• Partners with peers to allocate coverage resources for all coverage, often in a frequently-changing news environment.
• Oversees the management of daily and real-time flow of editorial information into the newsroom and out to field crews.
• Hires, schedules and oversees the management of real-time desk, and other content gatherers to deliver our news product.
• Responsible for the overall management and functionality of station website, and all other assigned digital platforms, such as mobile, tablet and social and third-party/syndicated.
• Works collaboratively with corporate digital team on implementation, support and training for current and new products/platforms.

• Optimizes pages and sections of the website for search (SEO) and train staff in best practices for SEO.
• Monitors audience analytics to maximize short-term content/audience opportunities.
• Tracks monthly analytics, including standard web, advertiser, video, mobile and social.
• Serves as a storytelling coach and mentor to content gatherers.
• Engages peers and staff in the design, measurement and continuous improvement of newsroom workflow.
• Uses market knowledge/resources for content discovery.
• Manages shifting priorities and conflicts regarding limited resources with effective communication, negotiation and collaboration.

Reviews copy, provides coaching and guidance.

Provides coaching and development of assignment and reporting staff to ensure the strategy for our content is understood and followed.

Responsible for assignment and reporting budgetary planning and monitoring.

Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field required.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in positions of progressive responsibility required.
• 3 years of management experience in content media departments preferred.
• Experience turning news shows around to improve business results preferred.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Command skills: comfortable leading, can take unpopular stand if necessary, encourages healthy, direct and tough debate but isn’t afraid to end it and move on, is looked to for direction in a crisis, maintains composure and respect even in very high pressure situations.
• Journalism: Skilled storyteller, journalistic ethics and libel.
• Working knowledge of news operations on multiple platforms.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills.
• Customer focus: understands customer needs, raises the bar on customer service, develops unified approach to exceed customer expectations.
• Very strong collaborator: involves others in problem solving and decision making, asks for and considers an array of perspectives, comfortable relying on the expertise of others and joint decision making.
• Manage execution: setting expectations, delegating, facilitating, removing barriers, measuring performance, and fostering accountability/recognition.

• Engage and inspire at all levels: create environment where people feel appreciated, and valued, are committed and want to excel, and want to define opportunities to improve the organization.
• Manage conflict: Constructive in working through differences, handles recurrent conflict, resolves issues between employees, preserves relationships.
• Decision making: Ties decisions to strategy, uses sound logic, makes decisions at the right time, brings others into decision making process, chooses the best alternative.
• Coach: Continuously cultivates capabilities by asking the right questions and equipping staff with tools, knowledge and opportunities they need to develop themselves.
• Delegation: is clear about lines of responsibility, allows staff to make mistakes, offers guidance without taking over, enables team to manage daily operation of their teams.

ABOUT SCRIPPS:

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As the nation’s fourth-largest local TV broadcaster, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff and Court TV Mystery. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

As an equal employment opportunity employer, The E.W. Scripps Company and its affiliates do not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law. Furthermore, the company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the company.