Senior Manager, Custom Content
Hearst · Dallas
Role Overview
Reporting to the Senior Director of our Custom Content Studio, the Senior Manager will serve as a managing editor and assigning editor, leading the editorial development and production of content for The Dallas Morning News and its brand extensions.
This is a hands-on editorial role for an experienced editor who knows how to identify strong story ideas, assign and develop stories with writers, work with subject-matter experts, and edit stories from pitch through publication.
The majority of this role will focus on FWD>DFW, the social responsibility platform created in partnership with The Dallas Morning News, as well as other TDMN brand extensions including Abode and Timeless in Texas, special editorial and advertising sections, and sponsored content on dallasnews.com.
The Senior Manager will help shape the editorial direction of these programs, maintain editorial calendars, assign stories, manage deadlines, and ensure every piece meets a high editorial standard for accuracy, clarity, voice, and storytelling.
This is not primarily a campaign management, social media, or content strategy role. We are looking for an editor who enjoys the work of developing and assigning stories, working directly with writers, and shaping finished editorial content.
What You’ll Do
Lead Editorial Planning & Assignments
- Serve as the primary assigning editor for FWD>DFW and provide editorial support across other Dallas Morning News brand extensions and custom content programs.
- Develop and maintain editorial calendars, balancing planned features, timely opportunities, and ongoing content needs.
- Generate, evaluate, and refine story ideas based on audience interests, client objectives, editorial priorities, and subject-matter expertise.
- Assign stories to staff and freelance writers and provide clear direction, expectations, and deadlines.
- Work with writers throughout the reporting and writing process to develop strong, substantive stories.
Edit & Shape Stories
- Edit stories for substance, accuracy, clarity, structure, voice, grammar, and style.
- Work closely with writers to strengthen reporting, organization, storytelling, and overall impact.
- Ensure content is appropriate for the intended audience, brand, and platform.
- Proofread and fact-check content before publication.
- Manage stories from assignment through final approval and publication.
Build Sources & Subject-Matter Expertise
- Cultivate relationships with subject-matter experts, community leaders, organizations, and other sources who can contribute expertise and perspective.
- Identify new voices and potential contributors who can strengthen the editorial quality and diversity of our coverage.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to develop credible, compelling stories.
Support Print & Digital Production
- Produce content across both print and digital platforms, with a significant focus on longer-form editorial storytelling.
- Help shape stories for the appropriate format, audience, and publication channel.
- Work within content management systems including Arc and WordPress.
- Use analytics, SEO best practices, and audience insights to inform story development and improve content performance.
Collaborate Across the Studio
- Partner with the Senior Director and broader Custom Content Studio on editorial priorities, timelines, and production.
- Provide editorial support for additional content marketing programs and studio clients as needed.
- Collaborate with designers, project managers, marketing partners, sales teams, and other stakeholders to keep projects moving while maintaining strong editorial standards.
- Manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
What You’ll Bring
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for an experienced editor and newsroom-style storyteller who is equally comfortable assigning a story and rolling up their sleeves to edit it. The ideal candidate is:
- An experienced assigning editor who knows how to identify a good story and give writers the direction they need to make it great.
- A strong line and developmental editor who can improve a story without losing the writer’s voice.
- Curious and editorially minded, with a genuine interest in people, communities, and compelling stories.
- Highly organized, able to manage multiple writers, assignments, editorial calendars, and deadlines at once.
- Collaborative and confident, comfortable working with writers, editors, clients, subject-matter experts, and internal stakeholders.
- Adaptable, able to move between different brands, audiences, subjects, and editorial styles.
- Comfortable with both print and digital publishing, including longer-form editorial content.
- Data-aware, with an understanding of how audience analytics and SEO can inform editorial decisions without replacing good editorial judgment.
Preferred Qualifications
This is a pool of preferred qualifications rather than a checklist. If you bring strong editorial experience and can learn the rest, we’d love to hear from you.
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, advertising, English, or a related field.
- 6+ years of professional editing experience, preferably in a newsroom, magazine, publishing, custom content, or similar editorial environment.
- Experience assigning and developing stories, particularly longer-form or feature stories.
- Excellent command of the English language and strong proofreading and fact-checking skills.
- Experience editing for substance, structure, clarity, tone, voice, and style.
- Experience working with both print and digital publications.
- Experience working with writers and subject-matter experts to develop stories from initial idea through publication.
- Understanding of SEO and audience analytics as they relate to editorial content.
- Familiarity with CMS platforms such as Arc and WordPress.
- Experience with project management platforms such as Mavenlink and Asana is a plus.
- Experience in both editorial and content marketing environments is helpful.
Additional Information
- Sponsorship: This position does not provide immigration sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the U.S. without immigration sponsorship.
- Accommodations: We are committed to an accessible application process. If you need an accommodation to apply, please contact hnpemployment@hearst.com. This email address is for accommodation requests only.
Benefits
We support our employees through personal and professional development and promote physical, financial and emotional wellbeing for employees and their families. Our benefits include:
- Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental and vision coverage to help keep you and your family healthy.
- Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with a matching program in most markets.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
- Paid Parental Leave: Paid leave to support growing families and new parents.
- Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Mental wellness benefits to support your emotional wellbeing.
- LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for individual needs.
- Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Support throughout different stages of your health and family journey.
- Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: Support to help keep your pets happy and healthy.
- And more: Learn more about additional benefits and details here.
Join Our Team
If you’re an experienced editor who loves finding great stories, working with writers, and shaping compelling editorial content, we’d love to hear from you. Join The Dallas Morning News and become part of a team that values great journalism, collaboration, creativity, and meaningful storytelling.
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