WSJ seeks a head of news video and audio

The Wall Street Journal is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial journalist to lead its global video and audio teams. From short-form digital video to daily audio briefings, streaming documentaries to enterprise podcast series, on- and off-platform, you will serve as the senior news producer and champion of the newsroom’s original and essential journalism across audio and video. You will build on the department’s award-winning journalistic achievements and performance while pursuing future projects and new opportunities.

You will report to the Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal and be a member of the newsroom senior leadership team. On a daily basis, you will set the editorial agenda with the video and audio department’s leaders. You also will partner with the commercial leads for audio and video across Dow Jones in pursuit of the broader strategic growth of audio and video across all platforms and in a variety of formats.

You should be a seasoned journalist who brings expertise across video and audio and a demonstrated ability to lead large teams to produce high-quality journalism while achieving audience and growth targets, as well as an experienced executive who can work collaboratively and appropriately with business colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Develop and regularly evaluate the video and audio content strategy across all Wall Street Journal platforms and formats.
• ​Set long-term coverage priorities in consultation with newsroom leaders
• Oversee the creation of video and audio in accordance with the coverage plan on a daily basis in partnership with newsroom leaders, strategists and external partners (e.g. production companies and partners like Gimlet).
• Define how the WSJ mission and values are achieved through video and audio across coverage areas and beats.
• Regularly assess and improve the KPIs of video and audio content (journalistic quality, output, engagement, etc.) and develop strategic and innovative platform concepts.
• Guide WSJ coverage chiefs and bureau chiefs on how to incorporate video and audio in their coverage, and guide Platform Editors on best practices for video and audio on their platforms.
• Work with the Chief Experience Officer and team to improve the technology underlying the presentation of our video and audio content on-platform and off-platform.
• Be responsible for and oversee all editorial production for video and audio across the Journal, including studios and operations in New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Singapore, London and remotely.
• Serve as the key point person working with Dow Jones’s Chief Business Officer for New Ventures and team to partner on setting audience targets and developing strategic growth initiatives.

Leadership

• Provide clear quality guidelines for the video and audio department, promoting and adhering to the high standards of the WSJ.
• Inspire your team members to do their best work.
• Promote a clear, efficient and effective workflow for the team.
• Model and encourage effective coordination between the video and audio team and the rest of the newsroom
• Contribute by attitude, example and encouragement to a culture of creativity, enthusiasm, motivation, ownership and professionalism.
• Manage, motivate and develop staff to consistently produce high-quality work.
• Set clear objectives for direct reports, cascading effectively down.
• Set agenda and make and articulate clear decisions.
• Set standards for individual and team performance – ongoing and in regular performance reviews.
• Contribute to the shaping and management of staff-development programs.
• Identify high-potential members of the team and ensure they are effectively developed.
• Under the direction of the Managing Editor: Manage the budgets of the various sections, and track and meet budget goals (traveling budgets, fees for external services, equipment, etc.).
• Champion a culture of diversity and inclusivity in staffing and editorial decision-making.

Attributes

• Considerable experience planning, shooting, editing and developing video and audio content for global news organizations.
• Deep understanding of the brand values and mission of The Wall Street Journal and how our video and audio journalism should be selected and presented in line with those values.
• Deep understanding of the audience and membership structure, and how to use insight research and analytics to continually refine this understanding.
• Know how to select and present the best, most relevant video and audio journalism, know what does not work, and make qualified calls.
• Understanding of industry trends and direction, and modern and innovative journalism and storytelling techniques.
• Lead and inspire staff to come up with compelling and important audio/visual ideas; possess excellent communications skills.
• Be able to successfully delegate, brief and give constructive feedback.
• Sound organizational abilities: setting agendas, managing projects, prioritizing from the standpoint of the Journal audience, maintaining a slate of future story ideas that fulfill and advance the video and audio team.
• Executive ability to partner with commercial colleagues, while preserving appropriate editorial independence.
• Innovative and creative thinker, leader and manager.

While you may start remotely, this position will be based in our New York City office. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining how you’d approach the role.

To apply, go here.