Deputy Managing Editor, Daily Desk (UK)

 

Powered by one of the largest global newsrooms in sports media, The Athletic brings sports fans the most comprehensive stories about the teams, sports and athletes they love. The Athletic’s newsroom of 450+ full-time staff delivers in-depth coverage of hundreds of professional and college teams across more than 47 North American markets and all 20 football clubs in the English Premier League, as well as many Championship clubs.

About the Roles

The Athletic is hiring a Deputy Managing Editor for our Daily Desk, which will work across the newsroom to strengthen the quality of our everyday report and to seize on opportunities throughout the sports world for compelling journalism. The desk will be staffed many hours throughout each day, from early in the North America day to late in the North America night, and will bridge with our team in London to give us 24/7 coverage.

This role will be based in the UK office and will work early in the day to continue the news cycle roll out overnight.

Successful candidates will have strong news judgment to launch on stories as well as deft editing skills to lift up stories that are already in motion. They will work with accuracy, clarity, thoroughness, flexibility and speed, as appropriate. Duties will sometimes involve both editing and writing, depending on news demands, staffing and other factors. All roles will involve a level of collaboration with reporters and editors throughout the newsroom.

These jobs are remote, for candidates located in either the United States or Canada. They will also at times require work during nights and weekends, in line with the newsroom’s needs and the sports calendar.

Rigorously edit and publish stories from sportswriters of numerous types, including stories filed directly by reporters and stories already edited by assigning editors or others.

Collaborate with sport editors to launch coverage around breaking news.

Coordinate with reporters in the field and editors who are contributing to coverage.

Maintain strong understanding of style and story structure, with the ability to identify mistakes and to improve pieces as needed.

Collaborate with sport editors to plan ahead for coverage of key events, to coordinate daily assignments and to strategize on particular areas of coverage.

Work to draw out the distinctive, compelling and authentic voice we bring to all coverage, particularly for nuanced and difficult stories.

Regularly lift stories by making sure they are clear and compelling and collaboratively seeking improvements as needed. 

Contribute to the improvement of workflow and best practices for the desk and its wide range of assignments and demands. 

Assist in maintaining an updated and accurate forward-looking editorial budget.

Collaborate with design and photo teams on best execution for stories with a clear visual element, and with other areas of the newsroom as necessary.

For some editors, direct supervision of staff with an emphasis on the delivery of news and strong editing.

For some editors, leadership on certain shifts or in key areas of the report.

For some editors, communication between shifts and departments to ensure smooth workflow.

At times, write and report spot news and trending stories with accuracy, speed and authority.

As necessary, identify and pitch news, trending stories and explainers.

Maintain a strong understanding of search optimization and how to identify coverage opportunities.

Use real-time metrics to assess performance and adjust.

4+ years experience editing news stories of various types.

Strong copy editing experience, with demonstrated consistency in lifting stories and making them stronger.

Editing experience on news stories is strongly preferred.

Familiarity and comfort with multiple social media platforms to seek out news.

Demonstrated experience working with reporters, with managerial experience a bonus.

An ability and willingness to work nights and weekends.

Interest and knowledge across a range of different sports.

Familiarity with WordPress is a bonus, but must have strong comfort working in a content management system for news.

An ability to work in the UK without need for sponsorship.