Description
TITLE:
News Director
SALARY:
$85,000-$110,000
REPORTS TO:
Editorial Director
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Publishers Weekly, a forward-thinking media company that covers the international book publishing and bookselling industries, is looking for a news director. We have been around since 1872 and are dedicated to delivering high-quality journalism and fostering engagement with our audience through a dynamic website, email newsletters, a weekly print magazine, and an extensive presence across various social media platforms.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are searching for a highly organized and motivated News Director to oversee PW’s news operation and deliver high-quality, timely, and accurate reporting across multiple platforms, including a website, newsletters, and a weekly section in the print magazine. This role involves managing a team of three full-time editors/writers, three correspondents, and freelance contributors. The news director will have wide latitude to update, refine, and otherwise improve existing workflows to ensure PW is providing its readers the most reliable and timely information possible. This position reports to the editorial director.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Editorial Oversight:
- Assign and oversee daily news coverage, ensuring that stories are well-researched, engaging, relevant, and meet editorial standards.
- Collaborate with staff, correspondents, and freelance contributors to develop and execute story ideas.
- Manage the editorial calendar and production schedule to guarantee the on-time delivery of articles and packages.
- Facilitate special projects such as live industry events coverage, supplements, and show previews.
- Represent PW as needed at industry events or in the media.
Team Management:
- Lead and guide a team of three full-time staff members, three correspondents, and a network of freelance contributors.
- Recruit contributors who can enhance PW’s coverage of the book publishing, bookselling, and library markets.
- Provide guidance, training, and feedback to support team members' professional development.
- Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages innovation and teamwork.
Digital News Operations:
- Oversee the digital news operation, including website content management, social media strategy, and email newsletters.
- Optimize content to improve visibility and reach.
Print Production:
- Collaborate with the print production team on a weekly print section, and manage other print packages as required.
- Coordinate with designers to create visually appealing and informative pages.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, or a related field.
- Minimum five years of experience in a newsroom environment, with a proven track record of managing editorial teams.
- Deep familiarity with the book publishing and bookselling industries.
- Demonstrated experience with digital news operations, including website content management, social media, and email newsletters.
- Strong understanding of journalistic principles and practices.
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in using content management systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a fast-paced news environment with staggered daily deadlines.
- Knowledge of SEO and digital media best practices.
- Familiarity with social media analytics and measurement tools.
- Experience with managing decentralized teams.
If you are a passionate and experienced news director who is looking to join a dynamic and innovative organization, we encourage you to apply. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and links to at least five articles you have written or edited to hr@publishersweekly.com. Use “News Director application” in the subject line.
Excellent cafeteria-style benefits: Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, LTD, STD, Life & AD&D Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, FSA Transit, 401k, and generous vacation, holiday and personal time.
Publishers Weekly is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Publishers Weekly is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Publishers Weekly are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, creed/religion, disability, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran or military service member status, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic information, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law. Publishers Weekly will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
