Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Newsroom Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Newsroom Coordinator is the central nervous system of our news operations. This individual is a master of logistics, communication, and multitasking, responsible for managing the complex administrative and operational tasks that power a modern, multi-platform newsroom. You will be at the heart of the action, coordinating resources, managing schedules, and providing critical support to ensure our teams can cover breaking news and deliver compelling stories to our audience, 24/7. This is a foundational role for anyone passionate about a career in media operations and journalism, offering unparalleled insight into the end-to-end news production lifecycle.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Assistant or News Assistant
Administrative Assistant in a media or creative agency
Recent graduate with a degree in Journalism or Communications

Advancement To:

Assignment Editor
Associate Producer or Digital Content Producer
News Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Production Coordinator for entertainment or long-form content
Social Media Coordinator or Community Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Act as the primary point of contact for incoming news tips, phone calls, and emails, skillfully vetting information and directing it to the appropriate assignment editors or producers.
Develop, manage, and distribute daily and long-term schedules for reporters, photojournalists, and production crews, ensuring optimal coverage for all news events.
Coordinate all logistical aspects for field crews, including booking travel, accommodations, and transportation for local, domestic, and international assignments.
Operate and monitor newsroom communication systems, including multi-line phones, scanners, and two-way radios, to dispatch crews and relay critical information.
Manage the booking and scheduling of satellite windows, live trucks, and other remote transmission resources (e.g., LiveU, TVU) for live shots and content feeds.
Monitor a wide array of sources, including news wires (AP, Reuters), social media, and competing outlets, to identify breaking news and developing stories for the assignment desk.
Maintain and meticulously update essential newsroom databases, including contact lists for sources, officials, and freelancers.
Assist the assignment desk in tracking story progress, organizing coverage plans, and generating new story ideas during editorial meetings.
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Coordinate with the engineering and IT departments to report and troubleshoot issues with newsroom equipment and broadcast systems, ensuring operational readiness.
Process and manage expense reports, purchase orders, and petty cash for newsroom staff, ensuring compliance with company financial policies.
Serve as a liaison between the news department and other internal departments such as sales, promotions, and engineering to facilitate cross-departmental projects.
Manage the intake, logging, and archiving of user-generated content and third-party media, assisting with rights and clearance verification.

Secondary Functions

Support producers and writers by assisting with script distribution, graphic requests, and the preparation of daily show rundowns.
Assist in the onboarding and training of new newsroom staff, interns, and freelancers on newsroom policies, software, and procedures.
Manage the check-out and check-in process for newsroom assets, including cameras, vehicles, and other field gear.
Provide comprehensive administrative support to senior newsroom management, including scheduling meetings, preparing reports, and handling correspondence.
Handle viewer and listener feedback with professionalism, logging inquiries and directing them to the appropriate personnel for response.
Contribute to updating the station's digital presence, including posting breaking news alerts or content to the website and social media platforms under a producer's direction.
Coordinate the booking and scheduling of in-studio and remote guests, ensuring they are prepped and ready for their interview segments.
Assist in compiling and distributing the daily news budget and coverage plans to internal stakeholders.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with newsroom computer systems such as ENPS, iNews, or Dalet is highly desired.
Strong computer literacy, including advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word) and Google Workspace.
Familiarity with broadcast and digital transmission technologies, including satellite, microwave, LiveU, and TVU.
Experience with digital Content Management Systems (CMS) for web publishing.
Knowledge of social media platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) as a newsgathering and distribution tool.
Competence in operating multi-line phone systems and two-way radio dispatch equipment.

Soft Skills

Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with a keen eye for detail.
The ability to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment and make sound decisions under tight deadlines.
Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
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Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit, with a proven ability to work effectively within a diverse team.
Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive, resourceful approach to challenges.
Unwavering composure and professionalism, especially when handling breaking news situations.
Solid news judgment and a passionate interest in current events.
High degree of adaptability and flexibility, with a willingness to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as news coverage demands.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, or a closely related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Journalism
Communications
Media Studies
Broadcast Production

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of experience in a newsroom, broadcast operations center, or similar fast-paced media environment.

Preferred:

Prior experience working on an assignment desk or in a Production Assistant role within a television or digital news organization is a significant asset.