Director - National Security, MSNBC Newsgathering

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Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

MSNBC is seeking an experienced and innovative journalist to direct coverage of national security.   You’ll join a modern and nimble Newsgathering team in Washington with a start-up mentality and a mandate to meet audiences where they are across all platforms.

The National Security team will focus on original reporting that holds power to account and helps our viewers, readers and listeners understand how decisions in Washington ripple across the nation and around the world. As the team leader, you’ll guide coverage of the most important story lines around national security, defense and diplomacy – including at White House, Pentagon, State Department and intelligence agencies – to bring a sophisticated, contextual lens to the beat. You’ll supervise a high-powered team and direct our reporting for all platforms of MSNBC – live programming, MSNBC.com, 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 every policy shift in Washington and how each news development can reshape relationships across the nation’s power centers. The 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead news coverage of the national security, defense and diplomacy across all platforms of MSNBC
• 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 Newsgathering growth initiatives in a start-up environment

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant working experience
• At least 10 years of professional journalism experience
• Substantial experience directing coverage and supervising journalists is strongly preferred
• 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
• Excellent editing skills — an ability to edit everything from a 4,000-word investigation to a 250 word fast-turn breaking news blog post under tight deadlines
• Impeccable news judgment and writing skills
• 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. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

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

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.