Director - Politics, MSNBC

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

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.

Job Description

MSNBC 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 Newsgathering team in Washington with a start-up mentality and a mandate to meet audiences where they are across all platforms of MSNBC.

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 MSNBC – live programming, , 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead news coverage of politics — including campaigns, elections and polls — 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

Qualifications

• 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 — an 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

Additional Information

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

Additional Information

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

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.