ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR - KWQC

Gray Television • Davenport, IA

293d

About The Position

KWQC is searching for an Assistant News Director to join our news team. As Assistant News Director, you are key to creating a positive culture to attract and retain the best talent and to create and deliver award-winning news for our viewers. It is a leadership position, with an emphasis on working closely with the News Director to train and lead young producers and reporters, mentor and develop their skills, and help coach them through their career growth. On the ground level, you are responsible for the day-to-day management of the newsroom. Strategically, you are a key member of the News Leadership team, charting the path for growth and change. This is a long-term career opportunity for the right person, with a competitive compensation package including Gray's generous 401(k) match, increased PTO, free health insurance option, and a possible signing bonus.

Requirements

• Belief in the power of local journalism.
• Excellent editorial judgment to support our pillars of Breaking News, First Alert Weather, and original local reporting.
• A winning mentality, with the ability to identify and 'own' the day's big stories.
• Able to lead and train news producers to create award-winning newscasts.
• Able to make quick decisions and handle breaking news calmly and as a team leader.
• Able to multi-task and oversee news on numerous platforms, including on-air, digital, social, and CTV/OTT.
• Able to fill in in the absence of the News Director, maintaining a positive newsroom culture.
• Must have multi-media skills and the ability to move stories through the process of TV, website, mobile apps, social media, and connected TV.
• Must have a teacher/coach mentality.
• Staff development and training are a priority for this job; must be willing to coach and inspire on-air talent and producers.
• Must have experience with legal and ethical issues in the news-gathering process.
• 3-5 years in broadcast journalism or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree, or higher, is preferred.
• The ability to produce a newscast if desired.
• Basic experience with cameras, ENPS, and editing video a plus.
• Experience with managing staff during severe weather events is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day management of the newsroom, helping to coordinate coverage on all platforms with a digital-first approach.
• Assist the News Director with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and especially training producers and MMJs, taking the lead when necessary.
• Help plan formal training for the newsroom when needed.
• Help research, gather, and proof/check news stories on-air and online in the most accurate, appealing, timely, and creative way using all sources.
• Oversee dayside newscasts, reviewing scripts with reporters and producers, while coaching and encouraging them to improve the product.
• Run editorial meetings and supervise the story selection process.
• Assist with assignments, and guide reporters on daily story pitches.
• Work with the Content Manager on the staffing schedule.
• Plan special events, promotions, special reports, and other assigned projects.
• Post and regularly update stories on social media and the web.
• Develop and maintain sources of information and knowledge about assignments, especially local and national news and weather.
• Be willing to learn or possess a broad and working knowledge of the viewing area, including people, places, things, and history.

Benefits

• Gray's generous 401(k) match
• Increased PTO
• Free health insurance option
• Possible signing bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Broadcasting and Content Providers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree