Digital News Editor

The Digital News Editor is responsible for planning, editing, and curating accurate, timely, and engaging news content across linear and digital platforms. Working with the Editor-in-Chief and Head: News, Assignments and News Editors, this role is responsible for planning, coordinating and driving digital media content. The incumbent is required to have an overarching view of daily trends, analytics and work closely with the Assignments Teams, Planning Editors and News Editors in driving content that resonate with audiences.

The Digital News Editor will also identify digital content pillars that can be leveraged for commercial opportunities. The incumbent is expected to keep abreast of all changes in the digital space, analyse the impact it has on audience consumption and adjust output accordingly. The role requires great attention to detail, out of the box thinking and a keen interest in products and technological advances in the digital space.

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 an