ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporters cut their teeth covering beats; News Editors own the whole agenda. The Assistant News Editor occupies the space between those two titles, responsible for commissioning and editing daily coverage while developing the editorial judgment needed to eventually run a desk. Ofcom compliance awareness and a command of digital audience metrics distinguish this seat from a senior reporter role: the work is not just finding stories but shaping what a national news organization decides to publish and when. Accountability to the News Editor is constant, and acting up to Deputy in their absence is a standing expectation.

In this seat, the Assistant News Editor drives daily story commissioning, editing, and publication sequencing across print and digital news channels, bearing direct responsibility for accuracy, legal compliance, and audience reach. The role sits within the core newsdesk structure, working across reporters, specialist journalists, and digital, video, and SEO teams under the News Editor's direction.

Career Impact: Sustained exposure to national-level editorial decision-making, from conference presentations to deputy cover, accelerates the path toward a News Editor title faster than any beat-reporter role can.

Business Impact: The stories commissioned and published under this role directly determine the organization's credibility with a national audience and its standing against rival news outlets on breaking news cycles.

Growth Opportunity: The bilingual, cross-platform, and audience-analytics skills built here, spanning broadcast compliance, SEO-guided commissioning, and Spanish-language editorial where applicable, expand market value across broadcast, wire, and digital publishing sectors.

• Commission and edit daily news stories across print and digital channels, ensuring accuracy and adherence to house style.
• Coordinate assignment and briefing of reporters, ensuring no duplication of coverage across desks or partner organizations.
• Verify accuracy and compliance of published content against editorial policy, regulatory guidelines, and copyright obligations.
• Plan forward coverage including diary items, long-range projects, and major news campaigns in collaboration with the planning team.
• Develop story ideas and evaluate pitches from staff and freelance contributors, managing the editorial calendar accordingly.
• Mentor junior reporters and editorial staff, providing feedback on writing, digital storytelling technique, and news judgment.
• Optimize content for digital audiences through SEO, headline construction, and repackaging for online and social platforms.
• Act as Deputy News Editor when required, presenting the news list at editorial conference and managing desk operations in the News Editor's absence.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or English, or equivalent professional experience in a newsroom environment.
• 5 or more years of professional writing and editing experience, with at least 1 year in a news editing or commissioning capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to edit to tight daily deadlines while maintaining accuracy and adherence to editorial standards.
• Working knowledge of Ofcom regulations, editorial compliance requirements, and copyright obligations applicable to news publishing.
• Proven experience planning and structuring both breaking and diary-led news coverage for print and digital output.
• Strong command of digital storytelling techniques, including SEO principles and social media platforms as commissioning and distribution tools.
• Ability to communicate clearly under pressure across reporters, editors, and cross-functional teams, including video, SEO, and audience development.
• Experience presenting editorial plans to senior staff and advocating effectively for story decisions in a conference setting.

• Bilingual writing and editing capability, particularly English and Spanish, to support translation and syndication workflows.
• Background in or knowledge of a specialist coverage area, such as health, science, or financial markets, enabling informed evaluation of complex source material.
• Experience managing interns, temp staff, or freelance contributor networks within a structured editorial operation.
• Familiarity with digital analytics platforms used to guide commissioning decisions and measure story performance against audience targets.

• Story accuracy rate, measured by the volume of corrections or post-publication edits issued per reporting period.
• Deadline adherence rate, tracking the percentage of commissioned pieces published within scheduled time slots.
• Digital story performance, measured by average page views or unique visitors per commissioned article across a rolling period.
• Deputy coverage frequency and output volume, reflecting readiness to hold the desk independently in the News Editor's absence.
• Forward-planning fill rate, measuring the proportion of the editorial calendar populated at least 48 hours ahead of publication.
• Typical tools: content management systems (commonly WordPress or proprietary CMS); audience analytics platforms (commonly Parsley or Google Analytics); SEO tools (commonly Google Trends).

• Base Salary Range: $55,000–$85,000 depending on market, organization size, and seniority
• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus common at larger news organizations; typically 5–10% of base
• Equity: Rare in traditional news media; may appear at venture-backed digital publishers
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard; employer contribution varies by organization
• PTO: 15–20 days annually, plus federal holidays; some organizations offer additional editorial leave
• Common Perks: Press credentials, professional development funding, journalism association memberships, and remote/hybrid scheduling where newsroom operations permit

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required; employment in this role is contingent upon successful completion of a background check before the start date. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment upon request.

The Assistant News Editor delivers distinctive broadcast programmes by coordinating newsgathering staff, securing guests and contributors, and sourcing video and social media content for TV and digital output, reporting to news editors and the planning team. Working across the news desk and on-the-road teams, this role enables seamless coverage across all deployments while supporting digital growth through the identification and creation of online content opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist news editors, planning editor, and planning deputy news editor as required.
• Answer news desk phones, deal with callers, and prioritise information.
• Pursue, book, and liaise with potential guests or contributors, negotiating fees within budget.
• Pass on information clearly and concisely.
• Co-ordinate the assignment and briefing of newsgathering staff.
• Serve as a key liaison point between the news desk and on-the-road teams.
• Deal with PRs and publicity to secure high-profile guests.
• Log pictures as required.
• Maintain awareness of copyright, access information, and compliance rules.
• Research, locate, and negotiate the acquisition of stills and video material within budget.
• Source and secure video and other content from social media for TV and digital output.
• Field queries and facilitate special commissions.
• Find and research stories and secure filming opportunities.
• Liaise with relevant news desks and productions to ensure coverage across all content and deployments and to avoid duplication in assignments.
• Identify and create opportunities for digital content, working with the news desk, planning team, and digital editor to deliver them.
• Maintain fast, accurate, and detailed logging of material and full compliance with clip-coding policy.
• Liaise with the rostering team about the availability of newsgathering staff.
• Act up to the role of deputy news editor on occasion.

Required Qualifications

• Previous newsroom experience is desired.
• A journalistic background or formal journalism training is required.
• Good knowledge of Ofcom regulations and the compliance manual.
• Awareness of Health and Safety requirements.
• Awareness and understanding of the financial implications of all decision-making.
• Genuine interest in and knowledge of the news agenda.
• Understanding of the difference between TV and digital content and output.
• Knowledge of social media as a newsgathering tool.
• Engagement with new technologies and newsgathering methods.
• Strong communication, organisational, and prioritisation skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and deal with a broad range of people, including high-profile public figures.
• Flexibility and a positive approach to problem-solving.

Embedded within the national newsdesk, the Assistant News Editor shapes daily news coverage for print and digital platforms by liaising with specialist journalists, devising digital content, and leading output in the absence of senior editors. Working closely with video, SEO, and social departments, this role enables maximum audience reach for news stories while nurturing junior reporting staff.

Core Functions

• Assist the news editor in creating, planning, and executing daily news coverage for print and digital platforms.
• Liaise with specialist journalists and reporters to work on stories and plan coverage.
• Nurture junior members of the newsdesk and reporting staff.
• Ensure the website news page is kept up to date with breaking news and exclusive stories.
• Devise digital content and creative ways to tell news stories to online audiences.
• Liaise with video, SEO, and social departments to ensure the best possible coverage and audience reach for news stories.
• Take charge of news output in the absence of the news editor and deputy news editor, including weekend rota duties as required.
• Attend conference and planning meetings on behalf of the newsdesk and present plans to the editor and other senior editorial staff as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience planning coverage of future news events and preparing diary items.
• Experience working to tight daily deadlines.
• Familiarity with and experience of digital storytelling techniques.
• Proven track record of news editing in a national or international newsroom.
• Good working understanding of social media channels.
• Ability to seek out exclusive and breaking stories.
• Strong ability to write and edit articles clearly, concisely, and to house style.

Reporting to the news editor, the Assistant News Editor leads a team of writers and journalists to plan, edit, and publish news content across digital platforms, with a focus on financial and blockchain subject matter. Partnering with sales, blog, and tech teams, this role improves site searchability and content accessibility to drive audience engagement and editorial quality.

Primary Duties

• Plan and structure news content.
• Verify the accuracy and source of information in news articles.
• Edit articles and write summaries where necessary.
• Co-ordinate with writers and manage news approvals.
• Schedule news articles and notifications.
• Mentor and train team members.
• Optimise content for digital use, including repackaging content, improving site searchability, and making content more accessible.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, blog, and tech teams.

Skills & Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in journalism, with a minimum of one year of editing experience.
• Prior experience leading a team of writers or journalists.
• Background in finance or experience working on content relating to financial or stock markets.
• Experience working on various CMS platforms, including WordPress.
• Understanding of digital assets and blockchain technology.
• Demonstrated skill in writing, editing, and publishing news stories.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to simplify and explain complex material.

Sitting at the intersection of health science communication and bilingual editorial production, the Assistant News Editor assigns, edits, and publishes English and Spanish consumer news stories for the American Heart Association's syndicated news service, reporting to the News Editor and collaborating with freelance writers and staff across the organization. Operating across the full editorial cycle, from story ideation and writer management to Spanish translation oversight and video scripting, this role advances the Association's mission to inform and motivate the public on heart disease and stroke prevention.

Accountabilities

• Assign stories to staff or freelance writers, edit stories, route them through the approval process, and prepare them for publication.
• Oversee the Spanish translation process for news stories and proofread Spanish content.
• Develop story ideas and evaluate story pitches.
• Monitor the flow of projects and assist in developing and maintaining the editorial calendar.
• Fill in for the news editor when absent.
• Write scripts for videos and text for graphics.
• Keep abreast of news, trends, and developments in health and science, chiefly regarding heart disease, stroke, and related conditions.
• Manage interns and temporary workers as needed.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, or equivalent.
• Five years of professional writing and editing experience.
• Experience leading and advising freelance writers is desirable.
• Experience and skill in generating creative story ideas and applying strong news judgment.
• Ability to speak, write, edit, and proofread in both Spanish and English.
• Ability to understand and interpret scientific information and rewrite it accurately and accessibly for general audiences.
• Skill in oral communications, including the ability to ask probing questions and explain ideas clearly.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.

A key member of the national newsdesk, the Assistant News Editor builds exclusive, agenda-setting news stories for print and digital audiences by conceiving and commissioning content, applying SEO tools and analytics, and managing productive relationships with the head of news and the news editor. Collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and leveraging social networking platforms, this role supports audience growth and editorial excellence through forward-planning and major campaign execution.

Duties

• Work with editors, writers, and reporters to conceive, commission, and edit exclusive agenda-setting news stories for print and digital audiences.
• Use SEO tools and analytics platforms to guide commissioning and construct headlines.
• Demonstrate an understanding of what works best for digital by offering truly distinctive content.
• Attend news conferences as required and present the news list to the editor.
• Forward-plan by working with journalists on long-range projects and major campaigns.
• Use social networking and other digital platforms for content generation and audience promotion.
• Manage productive relationships with the head of news, the news editor, and the newsdesk.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience working as a news editor for a national newspaper or major news organisation.
• Strong understanding of editorial compliance and regulatory issues.
• Demonstrable interest in news and current affairs.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to use social media platforms to engage current and new audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, and with rigorous accuracy.
• Persuasive presentation skills and well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and negotiate positive outcomes.
• Ability to communicate succinctly and effectively.