Assistant News Editor

Come join one of the fastest growing digital news sites catering to an African-American/Black audience. DDM is looking for an Assistant News Editor, who can deliver rich, engaging, brand-building content while maintaining high editorial standards for the #1 Black-owned digital news source in the nation. Our digital media property Atlanta Black Star is looking for rock stars to help us grow to #1 in the world!

The ideal candidate will have a keen understanding of ABS’s narrative and through that lens determine the social and political implications any given event can have on Black people.

We have a highly engaging, collaborative and rewarding culture and are looking for the best of the best.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage pitch meetings with an exceptional ability to identify stories that will resonate with ABS’s audience, package aggregated and original stories in a new and easy to digest way, set deadlines
  • Assign stories while paying keen attention to writer’s capabilities, the news cycle, along with an understanding of which stories work when
  • Quickly adapt to changes within the news cycle and adjust priorities
  • Keeps a keen eye on data to understand how stories impact our audience and meet target goals
  • Conduct interviews in person (on or off camera), by phone or via email when needed
  • Maintains a growing list of contacts to regularly secure exclusive content
  • Keeps a rich source list to uncover stories before competitors cover them
  • Write superior headlines that spur readership and social media interactions
  • Work alongside the social media team to ensure stories are shared across all platforms
  • Write breaking news as needed
  • Coach and manage staff to constantly dig for more information, secure exclusive content and gain ownership of their story
  • Top-edit all stories within your category, ensuring grammar is clean, tone is on brand, and copy flows
  • Create, maintain and enforce editorial calendar
  • Publish online content
  • Maintains, enforces, and improves in-house style guide and voice & tone standards
  • Be receptive and adapt quickly to newsroom-wide changes and new policies
  • Work alongside managing editor and video team to create high-quality, complementary videos for news stories

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism or comparable degree
  • At least two years managing in an editorial position in a newsroom, digital media a plus
  • In-depth knowledge of AP style is helpful
  • Proven leadership skills and solid news judgment
  • Well-developed editing and writing skills
  • Has a strong desire to tell the whole story
  • Has a unique understanding of how race impacts the life of Black people in America, an International perspective is a plus
  • Deep interest in policy issues as it relates to Black people (National and International)
  • Superior time management skills
  • Must be an organized self-starter who can communicate well
  • Understanding of journalistic ethics and legal/libel knowledge
  • Excellent research and fact-checking ability a plus
  • Strong ability to multi-task, and to quickly re-set priorities as news breaks
  • Strong or unique social media presence a plus
  • Must be able to work weekends and mornings, including holidays as needed

Salary: Competitive salary + benefits + bonus

Email all resumes to [email protected]