Managing Editor

WCBD TV is an NBC Affiliate Station owned by Nexstar Media Inc. We are located in the beautiful Lowcountry area of Charleston, SC. Charleston is known for its warm weather, friendly people, charming downtown, outstanding food, beautiful beaches, and so much history.

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The Managing Editor is the newsroom's operational and editorial quarterback-translating strategy into daily execution while elevating story quality and managing real-time coverage.

Core Responsibilities

1) Lead Daily Editorial Direction

• Help set the editorial agenda for the day
• Participate in (or run) editorial meetings alongside the News Director/EPs
• Decide which stories get covered, prioritized, and developed
• Ensure coverage aligns with:
• Station brand
• community relevance
• ratings / digital strategy

Think: "What are we covering and why it matters today?"

2) Oversee Assignment Desk & Content Flow

• Directly supervise or closely coordinate with the assignment desk

• Manage:

• crews and reporter deployment

• breaking news response

• logistics (live shots, feeds, resources)

• Ensure efficient use of newsroom resources

This is often the operational "air traffic controller" role.

3) Drive Story Quality & Execution

• Work with reporters and producers to:

• sharpen story angles

• elevate storytelling (exclusivity, enterprise)

• enforce accuracy and journalistic standards

• Review scripts, rundowns, and coverage plans when needed

Focus is not just filling shows-but making stories stronger.

4) Breaking News Leadership

• Take charge during major breaking news

• Make fast decisions on:

• coverage scale

• live coverage vs. packaged

• team deployment and priorities

• Coordinate across platforms (TV, web, social)

In many newsrooms, the Managing Editor is the point person in chaos.

5) Cross-Platform Content Strategy

• Ensure alignment between:

• broadcast

• digital

• social platforms

• Push for:

• real-time updates

• web-first publishing when needed

• consistent messaging across platforms

This role increasingly bridges TV + digital integration.

6) Supervise and Develop Staff

• Coach reporters, MMJs, producers, and assignment editors

• Provide feedback on:

• writing

• storytelling

• news judgment

• Help identify growth opportunities and training needs

In many shops, this is a key leadership development role under the News Director.

7) Maintain Editorial Standards & Ethics

• Enforce:

• accuracy

• fairness

• legal guidelines

• Review sensitive or high-risk content before airing/publishing

• Ensure compliance with company policies

8) Long-Term & Enterprise Planning

• Look beyond the daily cycle to:
• plan sweeps coverage
• identify investigative or enterprise opportunities
• coordinate special projects

How It Typically Fits in a Local Newsroom

Reports to:

• News Director

Works closely with:

• Executive Producers
• Digital team
• Assignment Desk Manager
• Reporters/MMJs

Often supervises:

• Assignment desk
• sometimes reporters

In Practical Terms (Day-to-Day)

A Managing Editor's day often looks like:

• Morning editorial call refine coverage plan
• Midday check-ins adjust for breaking news
• Afternoon/evening oversee execution & troubleshoot
• Constant communication with desk, producers, reporters

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