Full-Time Morning Drive Editor/ Writer - Audacy, Inc.

Job Title:Full-Time Morning Drive Editor/Writer

Department:Programming

Reporting To: Brand Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Pay Transparency: $49,296.00/Yr. - $70,309.00/Yr. 

The anticipated starting salary range for Illinois-based individuals expressing interest in this position is $70,309.00/Yr and $70,309.00/Yr.

Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and location of the applicant, as well as internal and external equity.

Audacy offers employees who are eligible for benefits with a comprehensive benefits package which includes: a health care coordinator, medical, dental, vision, mental health, telemedicine, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, disability, life insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, paid time off (sick, flex-time away/vacation days, personal, parental, volunteer), 401(k) retirement plan, student loan payment assistance program, legal assistance, life assistance program, identity theft protection, discounted home and auto insurance, and pet insurance.

Location(s): Chicago, IL 

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Overview:

WBBM Newsradio, Chicago's leading multi-platform news organization, is seeking a passionate, dynamic journalist to serve as a full time morning drive news editor and writer.

What You'll Do:

The hired individual will oversee the news production during the course of a daypart and will be responsible for creating rundowns, selecting sound to air during newscasts, writing and approving copy, and coordinating with the digital content team. This is a WGA union role that is positioned within the morning drive daypart which will require early morning call times. 

• Writers work off an assigned lineup drawing information from resource copy, the audio file, and appropriate network sources. With limited opportunity for detailed review of copy before airing, writers must "get it right the first time" and be able to work effectively under pressure.
• Editor: must review incoming news stories from a variety of sources and choose the stories of highest interest and most relevance to the WBBM Newsradio audience.
• Assembles an hourly lineup of news for writers and anchors to prepare.
• Assigns and edits audio to newscasts.
• Creatively pursues new ways of presenting stories so that they have the most impact on the audience.
• Brings stories of interest to the attention of the manager on duty for reporter follow-up.
• Writers and editors must work closely with news anchors and reporters in preparing newscasts.
• In the absence of the Managing Editor and the Director of News and Programming, the editor is the de facto leader in the newsroom.
• Editor directs assistant producers to take in tape and feeds, and works with newsroom personnel to pursue breaking stories.
• Editor coordinates coverage, when required.
• While writers and editors will from time to time be responsive to people outside the newsroom. These interactions may include, but are not limited to, responding to listener inquiries, talking to city or suburban government officials, police and fire officials about breaking news events, and discussing coverage plans with news partners and Audacy. 
• Depending on the needs of our 24/7 newsroom, shifts can include weekends and holidays.

More About You:

Required & Preferred:

• Qualified candidates must have excellent news judgment, familiarity with the Chicago news environment, and an ability to develop compelling local story angles.
• Must be familiar with broadcast style, with a strong ability to incorporate audio into written stories.
• Must have excellent grammar and good spelling and the ability to use social media to gather news and promote newsroom content.
• Need to have an understanding of legal guidelines that govern broadcast media and have excellent editorial judgment and a deep understanding of current events, national politics, and local news.
• Consistently maintains a friendly attitude and positive interaction when talking to listeners, the general public and with newsroom colleagues. Familiarity with local and corporate news policies, newsroom ethics and practices, and legal restrictions are a must.
• Applies those policies and procedures to news stories and all other daily activities.
• Alerts management to content that is questionable or that may be in violation of FCC, corporate or station policies and regulations.
• Suggests ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of station operations.
• Makes suggestions for change that strengthens WBBM’s relationships with listeners, advertisers, and the Chicago community.
• Learns, understands, and follows company policy and procedures. 
• Bachelor's Degree (Required), preferably in Communications/English/Journalism or related fields.
• 3+ years of newsroom experience preferred
• Experience with digital media – social media, video
• Experience writing and editing news stories under tight deadlines and turnarounds. 
• Ability to be flexible and work under pressure.
• Clear ability to operate as part of a team in a high-profile, fast-moving environment characterized by multiple competing prioritizes. 
• High energy with the ability to think innovatively.
• The hired candidate will be required to join the WGA union, if they are not already a member.

Please be aware that Audacy will never ask you to send money at any point during the hiring process. Communication from legitimate Audacy representatives will only come from email addresses ending in @audacy.com. If you receive any suspicious requests or communications, please verify their authenticity before responding.

Audacy is a scaled, leading multi-platform audio content and entertainment company differentiated by its exclusive, premium audio content. Audacy operates one of the country’s two scaled radio broadcasting groups with leading positions across the country’s largest markets, as well as one of the country’s largest podcast networks and the Audacy direct-to-consumer streaming platform. Audacy is a major event producer and a digital marketing solutions provider and is the unrivaled leader in local news and sports radio. Learn more at www.audacyinc.com, Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Audacy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Audacy affords equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion or religious creed, sex/ gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Consistent with our commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who need assistance in applying electronically for a position with Audacy, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. To request a reasonable accommodation for this purpose, please call 1-610-660-5614. Please note that this phone number is to be used solely to request an accommodation with respect to the online application process. Calls for any other reason will not be returned. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.