Job Description

The Planning Coordinator/Researcher plays a vital support role on the network’s major live coverage and planned news specials. This position is responsible for deep research, editorial prep, fact-checking, and coordination of elements used in live broadcasts and taped packages. The ideal candidate is highly organized, meticulous researcher with a passion for current events and a background in journalism, broadcast production, or political reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-depth research on developing stories, key figures, historical context, and event logistics in support of live and taped special events coverage.
• Prepare detailed backgrounders, timelines, and fact sheets for producers, correspondents, anchors, and control room teams.
• Collaborate with producers to source archival footage, soundbites, and images from internal libraries and external vendors.
• Vet video and written material for accuracy and legal standards; coordinate with standards and legal teams as needed.
• Support live coverage by tracking real-time developments and updating editorial teams with verified information.
• Help organize and maintain planning documents, event rundowns, and production grids.
• Coordinate logistics for field or studio elements, such as remote interviews, location shoots, or guest briefings.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in a newsroom, broadcast environment, or editorial research capacity.
• Strong news judgment and understanding of political institutions, major national/international events, and historical context.
• Excellent research skills using both public and subscription-based sources (LexisNexis, AP, social media tools, congressional databases, etc.).
• Solid writing skills, with the ability to distill complex information into accessible copy for on-air use.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks on deadline.
• Proficiency with newsroom systems (e.g., iNews, ENPS), archive tools, and Microsoft Office/Google Docs.
• High comfort level shooting with camera/smartphone and editing platforms (Avid, Adobe Premiere, or similar)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stakes production environment with shifting priorities.
• Willingness to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as required by special event coverage.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in journalism, communications, media production, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience covering political events, elections, or government-related stories.
• Familiarity with legal vetting, rights/clearances, and media standards protocols.

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: $26 - $31/hour

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 AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.

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.