Overnight Podcast Script Writer Jobs in Ridgewood, NJ

VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Versant's sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.

MS NOW is looking for motivated producers who are looking to thrive in a breaking news situations and grow their careers by flexing multiple production skills regularly. We are expanding our breaking news team to cover the network when important stories unfold and develop in overnight hours. On nights when there is no breaking news coverage, this team will produce taped packages for Morning Joe. The team will also produce best of highlight shows from our primetime lineup for weekend playback. The team will also help our linear programs and the MS NOW brand grow in the digital space. 

Please note: this is a Wednesday-Sunday schedule with some evening work during the week.

This position is represented by the Writers Guild of America East. 

Responsibilities:  

• Creating live segments with reporters and guests during breaking news coverage in hours that MS NOW is in tape
• Working under deadline pressure to monitor and turn around video, graphic and information
• Contributing as needed in control room during breaking news situations to assist production team
• Write and produce taped news packages for Morning Joe, including developing story angles, gathering elements, working with editors, selecting sound and video, writing scripts, and shepherding pieces through delivery.
• Aiding in assembling taped hours compiled from existing MS NOW shows
• Delivering taped shows to master control
• Assisting social media team in monitoring and creating social media content

• Must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Strong writing skills and knowledge of American politics
• Strong research and reporting skills
• At least 5 years of experience in some form of journalism required (i.e. cable or network news, website, newspaper)
• Demonstrated experience producing taped news packages or edit-driven segments, for a cable, broadcast, or digital news platform, including script writing, video selection, sound selection, and working closely with editors under deadline
• Edit room experience and breaking news experience is preferred
• Candidate should be able to deal with daily script deadline pressure

Desired Qualifications:

• Possess ability to develop story ideas, research and plan segments
• Exceptional editorial skills: Ability to recognize stories with high potential for provocative, compelling television
• Knowledge of current events, politics and pop culture 
• Wide-range reader of news, including op-eds 
• Experience in Breaking News

Additional Requirements: 

• Must be willing to work in New York, NY
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
• Requires overnight hours as part of a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule and the ability to work flexible hours under tight deadline pressure, including during breaking news situations.

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: $93,000-110,000

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, 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 candidateaccessibility@versantmedia.com.

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.