News Director - Wndu

Gray Media•South Bend, IN

10h

About The Position

We are seeking an exceptional News Director to lead the strategic vision and day-to-day operations of our comprehensive news organization across television, streaming, mobile, and emerging platforms. This is a high-impact leadership role for an innovative journalist who combines strong teaching and coaching abilities with strategic planning expertise. As News Director, you will inspire and develop a talented, diverse newsroom while implementing bold, innovative approaches to news coverage and content delivery. Working closely with senior station leadership, you'll execute a strategic vision that serves the community with excellence while driving audience engagement and growth across all platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, preferably in journalism, communications, or a related field
Minimum 3 years of newsroom leadership experience (News Director, Assistant News Director, or Executive Producer) with demonstrated success in strategic planning and implementation
Proven track record of successful team leadership, including hiring, development, and performance management of diverse teams
Demonstrated expertise in breaking news operations, weather programming, and major event coverage
Strong strategic planning ability with experience establishing objectives and executing integrated, multi-platform strategies
Advanced digital proficiency, including knowledge of website content management, social media optimization, and digital analytics
Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and handle simultaneous tasks
Proficiency with computers, newsroom technology systems, and office equipment
Fluency in English

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and executing innovative content approaches
Talent for identifying developmental needs and creating meaningful growth opportunities for team members
Strong listening skills and ability to collaborate effectively in developing solutions
Demonstrated passion for breaking news, weather coverage, and community service journalism
Strong understanding of audience engagement metrics and analytics
Community-focused perspective with deep knowledge of local issues and news priorities
Experience with multi-platform content strategy and optimization
Detail-oriented mindset with unwavering commitment to quality, accuracy, and innovation

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning
Develop and implement comprehensive strategic content plans with specific guidelines for digital, livestream, and traditional broadcast content
Partner with the General Manager to establish strategic direction and ensure effective implementation across all news operations
Plan and execute major event coverage (elections, Notre Dame Football pre-game show, breaking news situations) with innovation and excellence
Establish long-range objectives and specify strategies and actions to achieve them
Develop creative, research-based news strategies that leverage all available platforms and technologies
Set clear standards and goals for newsroom content quality, operations, and performance metrics
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and supervise all aspects of news, weather, and sports programming production
Coach and develop talent across all experience levels, from entry-level professionals to seasoned journalists
Manage all staffing functions, including hiring, performance evaluations, promotions, and termination decisions
Plan and execute comprehensive training and development programs for the News Department
Create a culture of accountability, mentorship, and continuous improvement
Conduct regular newscasts and content critiques to correct errors, improve coverage quality, and provide constructive feedback
Set clear performance standards and monitor achievement against departmental goals
Content Strategy & Operations
Oversee all content gathering and presentation guidelines across broadcast and digital platforms
Own breaking news and weather programming, directing continuous coverage for extended periods
Ensure achievement of viewer ratings, engagement goals, and digital metrics across all platforms
Assign projects strategically and ensure deadlines are consistently met
Showcase and promote innovative content approaches and best practices across all platforms
Maintain a strong working knowledge of community issues to inform coverage decisions and priorities
Digital & Social Media Strategy
Demonstrate advanced proficiency in optimizing and distributing content across websites and social media platforms
Develop innovative approaches to content delivery and audience engagement across digital channels
Drive audience growth and engagement metrics through strategic content distribution
Ensure consistent brand representation and messaging across all digital platforms
Resource Management & Planning
Prepare and manage the annual News Department budget
Allocate resources strategically to maximize newsroom productivity and content quality
Determine programming and equipment needs to produce quality content across platforms
Ensure efficient deployment of staff and resources across broadcast and digital operations
Additional Duties
Maintain meticulous attention to detail in all operations
Perform other duties as assigned