What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning/Assignments Editor position at Nashville Ledger?
Planning/Assignments Editor
Westview Publishing/The Ledger Newspapers is looking for a full-time planning/assignments editor based in its Nashville office.
The Ledger newspapers – Nashville/Middle Tennessee, Knoxville/East Tennessee and Chattanooga/Hamilton County – are general-interest publications with a business and business-adjacent focus, along with an emphasis on compelling human-interest features and profiles.
We’re looking for a multitool of an editor: someone who not only generates strong story ideas but can articulate those ideas to contributors, shape assignments and manage stories through to completion. We are print-first publications, but digital media skills and an interest in expanding our digital offerings are valuable.
The position is expected to be approximately 40% in-office and 60% remote, with adjustments as needed.
Duties include:
● Managing freelance contributors, including writers and photographers, from assignment through completion.
● Generating and editing copy for standing sections, including News Briefs, Calendar and Newsmakers.
● Identifying and recruiting new contributors to expand our freelance roster and areas of expertise.
● Generating, developing and shaping story ideas, from quick-turn news coverage to long-form cover features.
● Helping maintain a forward-looking pipeline of story ideas and assignments across all three markets.
● Line and copy editing in accordance with AP style and Ledger standards.
● Proofing galley copies of individual editions.
● Writing and editing headlines, subheads, cutlines and other display copy as needed.
● Assisting with digital products, including websites and social platforms, as needed.
Necessary skills:
● Strong news and editorial judgment.
● Excellent copy editing and writing skills.
● Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
● Creative story development across a range of formats, from long-form features to quick-hit briefs.
● Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines simultaneously.
● Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Helpful skills and experience:
● Broad personal interests and curiosity about business, communities and people.
● Familiarity with the regions and communities we cover.
● Interest in or knowledge of regional sports.
● Familiarity with production tools such as Adobe InDesign, InCopy and Photoshop or equivalents.
● Familiarity with file-management and collaboration platforms such as Dropbox and Google Workspace.
● Experience creating content for social media and other digital platforms.
● Familiarity with public-facing AI tools and their appropriate use in an editorial environment.
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications or other related fields/equivalent experience required; graduate level degrees appreciated, but not a requirement.
To apply, send a resume and five clips of stories you’ve written and/or packages you’ve edited for publication to jobs@tnledger.com.