News Anchor (Evening) - Weau

Gray Media • Eau Claire, WI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

WEAU News is hiring an evening anchor to help lead a digital-first newsroom serving Eau Claire, La Crosse, and western Wisconsin. The goal is to be the premier multi-platform news organization in the state, putting streaming, on-demand video, mobile alerts, and social media at the center of how the audience connects with the station. The most valuable trait for this role is ownership. When news breaks, anchors are expected to ensure WEAU owns the story with speed, accuracy, and strong news judgment across all platforms. This is a high-visibility role that demands excellence, adaptability, and unwavering editorial integrity.

Requirements

• Previous anchoring and/or reporting experience in a professional, multiplatform newsroom.
• Proven track record of digital content creation, including writing for the web and producing native social media videos.
• Strong writing and copy-editing skills with a complete mastery of AP Style.
• Demonstrated experience with SEO best practices and digital analytics tools.
• Excellent on-camera presence with a natural, conversational, and authoritative delivery.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field.
• Deep knowledge of journalism ethics, public records laws, and source verification practices.
• A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Skilled at writing high-performance, attention-getting headlines and social copy that drive traffic while strictly upholding traditional editorial standards and avoiding sensationalism or clickbait.
• Expert ability to pivot writing styles, structure, and length to fit the specific constraints and audience expectations of web, social, mobile app, and broadcast.
• Fluent in the use and optimization of digital video, including horizontal streaming formats, platform-native vertical video, and social teasers.
• Strong understanding of search trends, Google News ranking factors, and keyword placement to increase the digital footprint of local stories.
• Sets the tone for digital-forward coverage and positively influences newsroom culture.
• Thrives under the pressure of breaking news, rapid updates, and shifting multiplatform demands.
• Works seamlessly with producers, reporters, photojournalists, and digital teams.
• Makes sound, ethical editorial decisions with strong digital instincts.
• Upholds strict ethical standards, never compromising accuracy for speed.
• Successfully manages a demanding evening schedule and the fast pace of live television and digital news.

Responsibilities

• Write clear, accurate, and engaging copy adapted specifically for each platform, seamlessly shifting styles between broadcast scripts, in-depth web articles, quick-strike push alerts, and social media.
• Commit to immediate digital delivery, including creating platform-native vertical videos, mobile-optimized clips, and real-time text updates during active news events.
• Publish stories, video clips, and breaking developments to the station website, app, and social channels with compelling, attention-getting framing that avoids clickbait and maintains high standards of trust.
• Apply strong SEO best practices, including keyword optimization, clear headline writing, and metadata tagging to maximize the reach and searchability of local reporting.
• Work closely with digital producers and editors to ensure accuracy, speed, and editorial integrity online.
• Anchor afternoon and evening newscasts, breaking news cut-ins, and streaming segments with consistent quality.
• Conduct compelling, live interviews with newsmakers, experts, and community leaders across both broadcast and digital platforms.
• Pivot seamlessly during breaking news, delivering timely updates for streaming, mobile alerts, and social media feeds.
• Maintain a professional, credible, and engaging on-air presence tailored to each distribution platform.
• Collaborate with producers on story selection, rundown stacking, and digital-first coverage plans.
• Pitch and develop unique local stories that resonate in mobile, social, and streaming environments.
• Participate in daily editorial meetings with a sharp focus on multiplatform distribution.
• Review and approve copy, ensuring all scripts meet strict standards for accuracy, clarity, and digital optimization.
• Produce newscasts and assist with video editing when necessary.
• Contribute original reporting, including special in-field coverage and digital-exclusive projects.
• Engage with viewers across on-air, streaming, social media, and in-person channels.
• Represent WEAU at community events, station partnerships, and public appearances.
• Monitor and respond to audience feedback to help shape coverage based on local needs and emerging digital trends.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
• Compliance with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
• Prohibition of any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
• Discipline, up to and including discharge, for improper interference with employees' ability to perform their job duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level