Senior Newsdesk and Guest Producer

Job Title: Senior Newsdesk and Guest Producer

Job Ref: SNAGP-428

Closing Date: 25th May 2025

Summary

The Senior Newsdesk and Guest Producer plays a key leadership role within Volant’s Newsgathering team, managing the Newsdesk and Guest Producer team to ensure the smooth, timely and editorially sound delivery of content and guests across all output. They act as the main point of coordination between our newsrooms, correspondents and guests helping to shape our daily coverage while ensuring journalistic integrity and diversity in perspectives.

The role requires strong people management skills, excellent editorial judgement and a thorough understanding of media law and live production. This person will be expected to lead by example—maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, guiding and supporting their team, ensuring the diversity of guests is broadened and contributing to the strategic development of Newsgathering.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and support the Newsdesk and Guest Producer team on a day-to-day basis.
• Oversee the sourcing and delivery of content and guests across linear and digital output, ensuring editorial relevance, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Act as the main editorial liaison between the Newsdesk and Guest Producers, newsrooms, and correspondents.
• Monitor and uphold standards of coverage, escalating any editorial, legal or operational risks as required.
• Ensure guests are diverse, relevant, and editorially robust – continuously developing the quality of the guest roster.
• Be fully across the maintenance and development of guest databases, ensuring accuracy and breadth of coverage across politics, society, culture, and beyond.
• Provide feedback, guidance, and editorial oversight to the team, supporting their professional development.
• Drive improvements in workflows, communication, and planning within the Newsgathering department.
• Ensure all coordination with MCR and technical teams happens in good time to deliver seamless contributions.
• Take responsibility for forward planning and anticipate major diary events, ensuring the Newsdesk is resourced and ready.

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in a senior editorial or production coordination role within a broadcast news environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, coach, and guide a small team.
• In-depth knowledge of Iranian, Afghan, and international current affairs.
• Outstanding editorial judgement and a clear understanding of Volant Media’s editorial policy and values.
• A strong network of expert contacts across key sectors relevant to the Iranian and Afghan diasporas.
• Fluency in spoken and written Farsi and English.
• Excellent knowledge of media law, including defamation, contempt, and copyright.
• Strong organisational skills, the ability to multi-task and prioritise under pressure.
• Confident using newsroom systems such as Dina, Mimir, and other production tools.
• Experience working collaboratively with both technical and editorial teams.
• Commitment to operational efficiency and ensuring budget targets are met.