Digital News Editor

Key Deliverables

Content Assignment & Workflow Coordination

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of local, national and international news to support informed digital editorial decisions.
• Commission, assign, edit and publish digital content in accordance with the organisation's editorial strategy, platform requirements and production deadlines.
• Prioritise stories and allocate editorial resources effectively to ensure timely delivery of relevant and high-quality digital content.
• Determine appropriate content formats, treatments, sources, tone and presentation according to the story, audience and platform.
• Coordinate the digital news calendar with Planning, Assignments and editorial teams to support forward planning and effective news coverage.

Editorial Review & Content Management 

• Ensure all digital content is accurate, balanced, current, relevant and aligned with the organisation's editorial standards before publication.
• Apply sound editorial judgement when editing stories, headlines, introductions, captions, push notifications and supporting content.
• Ensure names, locations, institutions, facts and other material information are accurately presented and appropriately verified.
• Ensure digital journalism complies with applicable legislation, regulations, media law, ethical requirements and organisational editorial policies.
• Update developing and breaking news stories promptly as verified information becomes available across relevant platforms.
• Plan and coordinate digital coverage of major news events, campaigns and significant developing stories.
• Maintain consistently high editorial and production quality across all published digital content.

Platform-Specific Publishing

• Publish news and current affairs content accurately and efficiently across the organisation's approved digital platforms.
• Format content appropriately within the CMS, including categories, tags, keywords, metadata and other required publishing fields.
• Optimise headlines, standfirsts, descriptions and other editorial elements for search, mobile consumption and social distribution.
• Adapt publishing frequency, format and presentation to reflect the requirements and behaviour of each digital platform.
• Monitor developments in digital platforms, audience behaviour and industry practices to improve content presentation and distribution.
  Apply appropriate SEO, mobile and social publishing practices to strengthen content discoverability and audience engagement.

Format Adaptation & Multimedia Integration

• Identify and assign suitable stories from television, newsroom, digital and other approved input channels for digital publication.
• Collaborate with Planning Editors, News Editors, Producers and Reporters to adapt linear content effectively for digital audiences.
• Ensure television content is appropriately repurposed into digital articles, video, social content and other platform-specific formats.
• Coordinate the integration of video, photography, graphics, audio and other multimedia elements to strengthen digital storytelling.
• Ensure all multimedia content is technically suitable, accurately labelled and aligned with the approved editorial treatment.
• Maintain consistent editorial messaging and factual accuracy across television, digital and social platforms.
• Identify opportunities to develop distinctive digital treatments that improve audience relevance and engagement.

Shift Management & Editorial Accountability

• Lead the Digital News team during each assigned shift and provide clear editorial direction, priorities and decision-making.
• Take accountability for digital news output during the shift and ensure decisions remain aligned with the organisation's editorial strategy and newsroom priorities.
• Manage competing editorial priorities and allocate resources effectively to maintain timely and consistent digital publication.
• Monitor developing stories and ensure appropriate editorial action is taken as news events evolve.
• Address operational, editorial and stakeholder concerns promptly and escalate matters requiring senior or specialist intervention.
• Maintain accurate records of ongoing stories, pending content, outstanding assets and editorial priorities throughout the shift.
• Provide a comprehensive handover to the incoming editor or team to ensure continuity of editorial operations.

Communication & Team Support

• Maintain clear and timely communication with editorial, production, video, design, social media, product and other relevant teams.
• Provide clear editorial guidance and feedback to support the timely development and publication of digital content.
• Support junior team members through coaching, feedback and practical guidance on digital editorial standards and publishing practices.
• Coordinate cross-functional workflows to resolve content, production and publishing challenges efficiently.
• Communicate changes to editorial priorities, breaking news developments and publishing requirements promptly.
• Identify and escalate technical or operational issues that may affect digital publication or audience experience.
• Promote a collaborative and solutions-focused working environment across the digital newsroom.

Team Management

• Lead, manage and develop the digital content team to achieve editorial, operational and audience objectives.
• Allocate work and resources effectively to maintain appropriate workloads and consistent digital content delivery.
• Monitor individual and team performance against agreed standards, responsibilities and development objectives.
• Provide regular coaching, feedback and performance support to strengthen editorial and digital capabilities.
• Ensure team members understand and consistently apply organisational editorial, brand, legal and platform standards.
• Implement and monitor Individual Development Plans and learning initiatives that support team capability and succession.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement within the digital newsroom.

Analytics & Reporting

• Analyse audience data and digital performance insights to inform daily editorial planning and content decisions.
• Monitor audience trends, content performance and platform behaviour to identify opportunities for improved reach and engagement.
• Use data insights to evaluate the effectiveness of story selection, content treatment, publishing timing and platform distribution.
• Collaborate with Data and Insights, Design, Development and Social Media teams to improve digital content performance.
• Incorporate relevant audience insights into weekly and monthly editorial planning and forward-looking content strategies.
• Present relevant performance insights and recommendations during editorial and performance meetings.
• Apply audience data alongside sound editorial judgement to support sustainable digital audience growth and retention.

Content Planning & Platform Delivery

• Maintain an accurate daily digital content diary and ensure effective handover of ongoing stories, priorities and outstanding content.
• Maintain forward-looking weekly and monthly content calendars aligned with editorial priorities and significant news events.
• Deliver the required volume of news and current affairs content in accordance with agreed editorial and operational requirements.
• Ensure content is published within agreed deadlines while maintaining appropriate editorial quality and accuracy.
• Ensure all published content complies with applicable editorial, legal, regulatory, ethical, brand and platform requirements.
• Coordinate content publishing across relevant digital platforms in accordance with the organisation's digital strategy.
• Continuously review content workflows to identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality and audience value.

Audience Development

• Monitor audience behaviour and collaborate with Data and Insights to identify relevant trends and content opportunities.
• Interpret audience feedback and performance insights to inform improvements to digital content and user experience.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen audience engagement through relevant, timely and platform-appropriate content.
• Develop content treatments that respond to audience interests while maintaining editorial independence and integrity.
• Use audience insights to inform story selection, headlines, formats, publishing timing and distribution strategies.
• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen audience retention and growth across digital platforms.
• Balance audience performance considerations with the organisation's editorial strategy, public-interest responsibilities and journalistic standards

Budget Compliance

• Utilise newsroom resources responsibly and efficiently while maintaining required editorial and operational standards.
• Ensure activities are planned and performed within approved operational, procurement and financial parameters
• Allocate editorial resources effectively to support efficient content production and digital publishing.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditure, duplication and resource utilisation.
• Comply with applicable procurement, financial governance and organisational control requirements.
• Support cost-effective digital newsroom operations without compromising editorial quality, legal compliance or audience requirements.
• Contribute to departmental efficiency and financial objectives through responsible planning and resource management.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with editorial, production, digital, commercial and other internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with broadcast teams to provide relevant digital content and support integrated multiplatform coverage.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with credible experts, analysts, commentators, media partners and relevant external stakeholders.
  Represent the organisation professionally at appropriate industry events public engagements and media forums.
• Maintain constructive relationships with external stakeholders while protecting editorial independence and integrity.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to identify appropriate content opportunities while maintaining the required separation between editorial and commercial interests.
• Ensure stakeholder engagements and editorial activities comply with applicable broadcasting, media, privacy, ethical and other relevant legislation and regulations.

Personal Development

• Maintain and implement an Individual Development Plan aligned with the requirements of the Digital News Editor role and identified development needs.
• Participate in relevant learning and development initiatives that strengthen digital journalism, editorial leadership, analytics and platform capabilities.
• Maintain current knowledge of digital journalism trends, emerging technologies, audience behaviour and evolving publishing practices.
• Apply new digital tools, technologies and industry practices to improve editorial quality, workflow efficiency and audience engagement.
• Participate actively in peer learning, mentoring and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the digital and wider newsroom.
• Support the development of digital knowledge and capability among colleagues and relevant internal stakeholders.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable journalism legislation, regulations, media law, ethical standards and organisational editorial requirements, and apply this knowledge appropriately.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements 

• Journalism, Media, or Digital Newsroom and/or related field - Operational - 7 years - Essential 
• Journalism, Media, or Digital Newsroom and/or related field - Supervisory - 3 years - Recommended 

• Drivers Licences - Code B;Motor vehicle licence - Recommended

Technology Proficiency

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop Illustrator, Google Analytics, Crown Tangle, Knowledge of audio editing and production, CMS - Advanced
• Dalet and/or any other NRCS - Advanced

Skills and Knowledge

• Thorough understanding of press code, media law and other related legislation - Advanced 

Language Proficiency

• English - Advanced

Technical / Job Specific Competencies

• Accuracy / Attention to Detail
• Building Strategic Working Relationships
• Decision Making
• Monitoring / Follow Up
• Stress Tolerance