Sports Director

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.•Altoona, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

WTAJ-TV is seeking a passionate Sports Director to lead its sports coverage for Pennsylvania’s largest University. The ideal candidate will be a storyteller who can transform mundane sports stories into engaging content using lively sound, compelling video, and other techniques for both short-form and long-form pieces. This role involves managing and mentoring the sports team, rethinking local sports coverage, and producing/anchoring sports reports across all platforms. The Sports Director will ensure content meets journalistic integrity and production quality standards, write and deliver clear stories, and assist with programming coordination. Responsibilities also include responding to breaking news, collaborating with the team on coverage, participating in promotional activities, and performing special projects. Additionally, the role involves shooting and editing video, writing for digital platforms, and interacting with viewers on social media.

Requirements

Minimum five years' experience in sports reporting or anchoring.
Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of sports and sports related activities.
Fluency in English.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to ad lib when required.
Superior on-air presence.
Experience guiding, directing and motivating others.
Ability to identify the developmental needs of others and to coach, mentor or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Proficiency with computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax machines and other office equipment.
Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to effectively listen to fully understand problems and communicate with a team to shape a solution.
Valid driver's license with a good driving record.
Flexibility to work any shift.

Nice To Haves

Two years or more experience working as a sports director at a television station is preferable.

Responsibilities

Produces and anchors sports reports for all platforms in a manner that is clear, engaging and meaningful to news consumers.
Produces and presents sports reports for all platforms.
Ensures that all sports content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality.
Writes and delivers sports stories in a clear and concise manner.
Assists in writing, copy editing, researching and coordinating sports programming and other content.
Responds to breaking sports events and other urgent newsroom situations as required.
Works closely with the sports team to develop comprehensive sports coverage.
Participates in promotional activities including public appearances.
Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
Shoots video for sports reports.
Sets up, composes and executes video shots.
Maintains video equipment.
Edits video clips for television broadcasts and eMedia content.
Writes stories for the website and other eMedia platforms.
Interacts with viewers and users on social media sites.