Head of Newsgathering and Planning

Job Title: Head of Newsgathering and Planning

Job Ref: HONAP – 449

Closing Date: 12th September 2025

Summary

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for overseeing the Newsgathering, On the Day and Advanced Planning teams and ensuring the smooth running of our planning operation. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will drive the editorial vision of the department — ensuring our journalism is well-prepared, creative, diverse and responsive to the needs of our audiences.

Working closely with the Executive Editors of News, you will set high standards and uphold them across the team. You’ll lead by example — contributing to editorial decisions, shaping major coverage plans and being hands-on when needed. You’ll support and develop your team to deliver distinctive, forward-looking journalism, and ensure collaboration across departments and platforms.

This is a key role for someone with strong leadership credentials, sound editorial judgement and a commitment to achieving results.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning team, overseeing the work of the On the Day Planning Editor and the Advanced Planning Editor.
• Ensure planning output is well-thought-out, well-resourced, editorially strong and in line with the Executive Editors’ vision.
• Take overall responsibility for the forward planning diary, editorial logistics and special projects.
• Champion high standards across all planning output — from daily stories to long-form content.
• Play an active role in shaping coverage plans, pitching ideas, and troubleshooting editorial or operational issues.
• Provide editorial oversight and guidance to Newsgathering Correspondents and Reporters, ensuring their journalism is accurate, impactful and aligned with editorial priorities.
• Work closely with, Digital, Non-News and Broadcast Operations teams to ensure joined-up planning.
• Oversee the deployment of correspondents and crews, working in collaboration with editorial, security and logistical colleagues.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that supports collaboration, creativity and accountability.
• Support the professional development of your team, providing clear editorial guidance and regular feedback.
• Contribute to strategic planning and longer-term editorial initiatives.
• Take responsibility for planning resources and staffing, including rotas and out-of-hours planning.
• Carry out other editorial and managerial duties as required.

Requirements

• Significant experience in broadcast journalism, with a strong track record in editorial planning and newsgathering.
• Proven leadership experience in a newsroom environment, with the ability to inspire and manage high-performing teams.
• Excellent editorial judgement, with a deep understanding of accuracy, balance, fairness and legal compliance.
• A hands-on, proactive approach with a willingness to lead from the front.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to build strong relationships across departments
• Deep knowledge of Iranian, Afghan and international current affairs, and the needs of our audiences.
• Fluency in Farsi or Dari and English, with strong communication skills in both.
• Confidence in managing complex deployments, logistics and editorial decisions under pressure.
• A results-oriented attitude and a commitment to delivering high-impact journalism.
• Alignment with Volant Media’s editorial values and mission.