Newsroom Director

Salt Lake City, UT, United States (On-site)

To meet the needs of the Church, we seek to build teams that represent the diverse perspectives, broad life experiences and backgrounds of our global Church membership. With that in mind, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

This position is part of the core work of Church Communication Department (CCD) as a source of information and official communication. Role will interact with opinion leaders, including media, who affect the reputation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and whose actions and influence can help the Church’s mission.

This position directs the Newsroom team and manages the Newsroom products and processes. Newsroom is a core function of the Church Communication Department and is charged with strategically planning, producing and helping tell the story of the Church, its leaders, and members, with an eye towards a worldwide audience. The medium is heavily influenced by digital-first products including video and includes social media platforms and channels.

Newsroom includes the planning, coordination and dissemination of news of the Church globally, and responding to breaking news, major issues, media inquiries, stories and other broadcast programs. Some travel, including international, is associated with this position.

• (50%) Sets goals and direction in concert with the department and division in consultation with the Church Communication Department Leadership Council and maintains direction through constant monitoring, interaction, supervision, and initiatives. A special focus on accuracy, tone, and attention to detail is a must. This also includes healthy and appropriate scheduling of staff assignments, tasks, and responsibilities. This role will chair a Newsroom meeting at the start of each day to review overnight and breaking issues and carry selected items from that meeting to the daily media meeting (which includes community relations, area team, and social media representatives).
• (15%) Area coordination and training responsibilities, to include production and publishing strategies, initiatives and processes.
• (10%) Maintains integrity and current resource rchofjesuschrist.org. This is inclusive of categorial, thematic, statement resources, and media assets.
• (5%) Leads CCD on long-term projects such as biographical assets and high-profile news events and milestones.

(5%) Twice annual coordination of global video product, World Report, including collaboration with CCC, department executive leadership, managing director and director of media relations.

(5%) Attends weekly collaboration meetings with Church News editorial team.

(5%) Keeps attuned to global issues that might affect the Church or call for a response or initiative.

(5%) Stand in for the Director of Media Relations as needed or required.

• Fifteen years’ experience in news media industry either as a journalist, media executive or news director/producer, with a demonstrated knowledge of the news industry.
• College degree in communications, English, public relations, organizational management or related field, or equivalent.
• The ability to represent the Church well and with individuals at any level, including Church General Authorities, is a must as well as an understanding of the Church as an organization.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as required with no restrictions and limited advanced notice

Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lord’s work. From the IT professional who develops an app that sends the gospel message worldwide, to the facilities manager who maintains our buildings— giving Church members places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinances—our employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.

They are literally working in His kingdom.

Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. Apart from this, the Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would…