Chief Photographer

TEGNA Inc. • Tampa, FL

5d

About The Position

WTSP-TV (10 Tampa Bay News), a TEGNA-owned CBS affiliate in Saint Petersburg, Florida, is seeking a Chief Photographer to lead its photojournalists in producing visual journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital, and social platforms. This hands-on leadership role involves shooting and editing daily and breaking news while scheduling, supervising, and coaching photojournalists and multimedia journalists (MSJs). The Chief Photographer oversees field equipment and the news fleet, plans crew coverage for hurricanes and other major events, and works with news managers to recruit and develop visual storytellers.

The ideal candidate is a creative, highly skilled photojournalist and storyteller who values local news and leads by example. They provide clear, constructive feedback, help the team continually improve, stay organized and composed on deadline, champion breaking news coverage, and seek tools and techniques that improve storytelling for the audience.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience as a news photojournalist/editor, preferably in a local TV newsroom.
• Advanced skills in shooting, lighting, audio, and nonlinear editing using Edius and/or Adobe Premiere.
• Experience operating live newsgathering tools such as LiveU, TVU, or Dejero.
• Strong coaching, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to make quick, sound, and ethical decisions under deadline pressure.
• Flexibility to work any shift, including nights, early mornings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and extended hours during severe weather and breaking news.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of gear and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record, which must be maintained.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience as a chief photographer, lead photographer, or in a similar leadership role.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or ability to earn it soon after hire.
• Experience covering hurricanes and severe weather.
• Experience creating content for streaming, digital, and social platforms, including vertical video.
• NPPA recognition.

Responsibilities

• Shoot, edit, and go live on daily news, enterprise, and breaking stories, leading by example in the field.
• Set and maintain visual and storytelling standards for the photojournalism team.
• Coach photojournalists and MSJs on storytelling, lighting, audio, natural sound, composition, and editing through regular critiques and hands-on training.
• Build and manage photojournalist schedules covering newscasts, streaming, and digital needs, including nights, weekends, holidays, and severe weather.
• Supervise photojournalists day to day, including assignments, time and attendance, overtime, and performance.
• Manage field equipment and the news fleet, including inventory, maintenance, repairs, budgeting, and purchase recommendations for cameras, audio, lighting, bonded cellular units, and news vehicles.
• Oversee the station's drone program with news leadership and TEGNA's drone team, including FAA compliance and pilot certification.
• Plan crew deployment and logistics for hurricanes, elections, major sporting events, and other large-scale coverage.
• Work with the assignment desk, producers, and managers to match crews to stories.
• Partner with news managers to source, interview, onboard, and train new photojournalists.
• Uphold TEGNA's ethics, safety, and legal standards in the field.
• Participate in the management on-call rotation.
• Perform other tasks as required by the news leadership team.

Benefits

• Two medical plan options for full-time and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
• Dental and eye care coverage.
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employee contributions of 1%–80% of pay on a pre-tax basis; contributions up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% company match and are 100% vested from day one.
• Nine free virtual doctor appointments annually for employees and eligible family members through Teladoc, regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans.
• Twelve free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health for employees and eligible family members.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Nine paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed