Director - Politics, MS

Company Overview

Company Description VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most. VERSANT is an independent, publicly traded company that brings together powerhouse cable networks and dynamic digital brands, reflecting our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

MS NOW is seeking an experienced and innovative journalist to direct coverage of campaigns, elections and a rapidly changing political landscape. You’ll join a modern and nimble News gathering team in Washington with a start-up mentality and a mandate to meet audiences where they are across all platforms of MS NOW. The Political Director will guide coverage across political cycles with original reporting and analysis.

As the leader of the Political Unit, you’ll shape the most important story lines around elections, campaigns, polling, and shifts in the political landscape to bring a sophisticated, contextual lens to the beat. You’ll supervise a high-powered team delivering for all platforms of MS NOW – live programming, MS.Now, newsletters, digital video, audio, social media and more. You’ll often contribute yourself as well.

This role requires sharp editorial instincts to understand the stakes of political and policy shifts in Washington and throughout the states, and how major developments can reshape relationships across the nation’s power centers. A successful candidate must have exceptional managerial skills and a demonstrated ability to look around corners to identify where story lines – and the news environment – are headed.

• Lead news coverage of politics — including campaigns, elections and polls — across all platforms of MS NOW. Mentor and manage a team of journalists to break news and advance story lines.
• Assign and shape stories with sharp angles and grounded in context.
• Collaborate across coverage teams and platforms to ensure cohesive storytelling that delivers original news and insight for our audiences.
• Represent the team in editorial meetings for daily coverage and planning for special events.
• Develop new ideas to innovate across platforms to reach new audiences.
• Support other editorial projects and News gathering growth initiatives in a start-up environment.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant working experience. At least 15 years of professional journalism experience.

• Substantial experience directing coverage and supervising journalists.
• Experience assigning, editing, or producing content across multiple platforms (e.g., TV, digital, social, audio, newsletters).
• Proven track record of enterprise journalism, breaking news, or political analysis that drives audience engagement.
• Impeccable news judgment and writing skills.
• Excellent editing skills — the ability to edit everything from a deep-dive enterprise piece to a fast-turn breaking news blog post under tight deadlines.
• Experience overseeing both powerhouse reporters and growing junior talent.
• Excellent communication skills — tact, sensitivity, diplomacy, persuasion.
• Demonstrated self-starter, with the confidence to make decisions quickly in a fast-paced news environment.
• Flexibility to work outside standard hours when news breaks.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.

Salary range: $175,000 - $200,000

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion,…