Versant Media
Director - White House, MS NOW Newsgathering
Versant Media, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Company Description
Versant is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most. As an independent, publicly traded company, Versant brings together powerhouse cable networks including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel, with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service. Versant is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, empowering creativity, embracing change, and driving connection in an ever-evolving world.
Overview MS NOW is seeking an experienced and innovative journalist to direct coverage of the White House. You’ll join a modern and nimble Newsgathering team in Washington with a start-up mindset and a mandate to meet audiences where they are across all platforms. The White House team will focus on original reporting that holds power to account and helps our viewers, readers and listeners understand how decisions in Washington ripple across the nation and around the world.
Key Responsibilities
Lead news coverage of the presidency across all platforms of MS NOW. Mentor and manage a team of journalists to break news and advance story lines.
Assign and shape stories with sharp angles and grounded in context.
Collaborate across coverage teams and platforms to ensure cohesive storytelling that delivers original news and insight for our audiences.
Represent the team in editorial meetings for daily coverage and planning for special events.
Develop new ideas to innovate across platforms to reach new audiences.
Support other editorial projects and Newsgathering growth initiatives in a start-up environment.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant working experience.
At least 10 years of professional journalism experience.
Substantial experience directing coverage and supervising journalists is strongly preferred.
Experience assigning, editing, or producing content across multiple platforms (e.g., TV, digital, social, audio, newsletters).
Proven track record of enterprise journalism, breaking news, or political analysis that drives audience engagement.
Excellent editing skills — an ability to edit everything from a 4,000-word investigation to a 250-word fast-turn breaking news blog post under tight deadlines.
Impeccable news judgment and writing skills.
Experience overseeing both powerhouse reporters and growing junior talent.
Excellent communication skills — tact, sensitivity, diplomacy, persuasion.
Demonstrated self-starter, with the confidence to make decisions quickly in a fast-paced news environment.
Flexibility to work outside standard hours when news breaks.
Salary and Benefits This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.
Salary range: $175,000 - $200,000.
Additional Information As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a Versant Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. Versant Media is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides notice of protections against discrimination in hiring and employment. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support during the application and/or recruitment process, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation by contacting candidateaccessibility@versantmedia.com.
Versant Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to Versant without a valid written Statement of Work in place will be the property of Versant. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Versant as a result of the referral or through other means.
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Versant is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most. As an independent, publicly traded company, Versant brings together powerhouse cable networks including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel, with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service. Versant is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, empowering creativity, embracing change, and driving connection in an ever-evolving world.
Overview MS NOW is seeking an experienced and innovative journalist to direct coverage of the White House. You’ll join a modern and nimble Newsgathering team in Washington with a start-up mindset and a mandate to meet audiences where they are across all platforms. The White House team will focus on original reporting that holds power to account and helps our viewers, readers and listeners understand how decisions in Washington ripple across the nation and around the world.
Key Responsibilities
Lead news coverage of the presidency across all platforms of MS NOW. Mentor and manage a team of journalists to break news and advance story lines.
Assign and shape stories with sharp angles and grounded in context.
Collaborate across coverage teams and platforms to ensure cohesive storytelling that delivers original news and insight for our audiences.
Represent the team in editorial meetings for daily coverage and planning for special events.
Develop new ideas to innovate across platforms to reach new audiences.
Support other editorial projects and Newsgathering growth initiatives in a start-up environment.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant working experience.
At least 10 years of professional journalism experience.
Substantial experience directing coverage and supervising journalists is strongly preferred.
Experience assigning, editing, or producing content across multiple platforms (e.g., TV, digital, social, audio, newsletters).
Proven track record of enterprise journalism, breaking news, or political analysis that drives audience engagement.
Excellent editing skills — an ability to edit everything from a 4,000-word investigation to a 250-word fast-turn breaking news blog post under tight deadlines.
Impeccable news judgment and writing skills.
Experience overseeing both powerhouse reporters and growing junior talent.
Excellent communication skills — tact, sensitivity, diplomacy, persuasion.
Demonstrated self-starter, with the confidence to make decisions quickly in a fast-paced news environment.
Flexibility to work outside standard hours when news breaks.
Salary and Benefits This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.
Salary range: $175,000 - $200,000.
Additional Information As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a Versant Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. Versant Media is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides notice of protections against discrimination in hiring and employment. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support during the application and/or recruitment process, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation by contacting candidateaccessibility@versantmedia.com.
Versant Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to Versant without a valid written Statement of Work in place will be the property of Versant. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Versant as a result of the referral or through other means.
#J-18808-Ljbffr