News director job description
Updated March 14, 2024
9 min read
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Example news director requirements on a job description
News director requirements can be divided into technical requirements and required soft skills. The lists below show the most common requirements included in news director job postings.
Sample news director requirements
- Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field
- At least five years of newsroom experience
- Knowledge of broadcast standards and regulations
- Familiarity with communications technology
- Strong knowledge of current events
Sample required news director soft skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to lead and motivate staff
- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Creative and innovative problem solving skills
News director job description example 1
Nexstar Media Group news director job description
The News Director leads and supervises all aspects of news, weather, sports and Corporate content initiatives. We are in the Evansville Indiana DMA which serves Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. News content M-Sun for WEHT ABC 25 and provide news for WTVW CW 7 (Mission Broadcasting). Combined M-F is 9.5 hours per day. Weekends cover EN and LN. Leads all news efforts on all content platforms.
• Manages all aspects of the News Department (Production staff is separate) • Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department. • Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees. • Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website. • Critiques newscasts daily to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff. • Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met. • Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals. • Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming. • Responds to coverage questions. • Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals. • Performs other duties as assigned.
+ We have won many Indiana Broadcasters Assoication "Spectrum" awards and several Emmy's by various talent.
+ Most experienced News team. "Most Watched - Most Trusted"
+ CW Affiliate of the Year
+ Many community partnerships and involvement
Requirements & Skills:
• Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. • Fluency in English. • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. • Minimum five years' experience in news programming production, with at least two years' experience in a leadership role. (More or less depending on market size.) • Experience guiding, directing and motivating subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. • Experience establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. • Ability to identify the developmental needs of others and to coach, mentor or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills. • Experience preparing and maintaining departmental budgets. • 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 employee needs and communicate with a team to shape a solution.
• Manages all aspects of the News Department (Production staff is separate) • Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department. • Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees. • Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website. • Critiques newscasts daily to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff. • Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met. • Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals. • Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming. • Responds to coverage questions. • Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals. • Performs other duties as assigned.
+ We have won many Indiana Broadcasters Assoication "Spectrum" awards and several Emmy's by various talent.
+ Most experienced News team. "Most Watched - Most Trusted"
+ CW Affiliate of the Year
+ Many community partnerships and involvement
Requirements & Skills:
• Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. • Fluency in English. • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. • Minimum five years' experience in news programming production, with at least two years' experience in a leadership role. (More or less depending on market size.) • Experience guiding, directing and motivating subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. • Experience establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. • Ability to identify the developmental needs of others and to coach, mentor or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills. • Experience preparing and maintaining departmental budgets. • 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 employee needs and communicate with a team to shape a solution.
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News director job description example 2
The Washington Post news director job description
Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Job Description
The Washington Post is hiring a director of optimization and news product to lead more than a dozen journalists and product editors responsible for optimizing the daily news report and the tools we use to publish and organize it. This director will provide strategic vision and oversight to two critical and growing newsroom teams: SEO and News Product.
The SEO team is responsible for identifying content targets, forecasting trends and optimizing articles for search and recirculation. The director will work with the SEO assignment editor to identify short-term and long-term opportunities to consistently drive new audience and retain visitors to our site and app. They will be responsible for articulating best practices and facilitating regular newsroom education around search and optimization, as well as working with journalists to amplify storytelling in smart ways that attract and engage the next generation of subscribers. They will also work with the SEO team to develop and apply distinct SEO strategies for breaking news and evergreen content for global audiences.
The News Product team is responsible for partnering with the company's product and engineering teams to develop and strengthen the content management systems and planning tools on which Post journalists rely. The director will partner with fellow newsroom and product leaders to develop a strategic roadmap for our publishing tools. They also manage some vendor relationships such as Trint and Tansa. This person will work closely with product managers to prioritize newsroom needs; identify efficiencies and solutions; and advance core editorial platforms and products, including our homepage and section fronts, taxonomy and tagging systems, and content management tools.
Top candidates will be communicative and organized; they will have strong news judgement and a record of successful audience development. We want a strategic thinker and motivated problem solver who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This role requires tremendous coordination with newsroom leadership, assignment editors and product managers, so a collaborative spirit is critical.
Candidates should be well-versed in analytics tools including but not limited to Chartbeat, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, CrowdTangle and Dataminr; the ability to understand and act upon metrics when appropriate is imperative. At least two years of management experience and six years journalism experience required. Proficiency with SEO is preferred. Product management experience is a plus.
This position is based in our Washington newsroom.
Candidates should upload a résumé and cover letter outlining your leadership experience in the news product and/or SEO space to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by 06/12/2022 will be prioritized. Address the cover letter to Head of Curation and Platforms Coleen O'Lear and Chief Product Officer and Managing Editor Kat Downs Mulder.
The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.
Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that's right for you
#washpostlife
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Job Description
The Washington Post is hiring a director of optimization and news product to lead more than a dozen journalists and product editors responsible for optimizing the daily news report and the tools we use to publish and organize it. This director will provide strategic vision and oversight to two critical and growing newsroom teams: SEO and News Product.
The SEO team is responsible for identifying content targets, forecasting trends and optimizing articles for search and recirculation. The director will work with the SEO assignment editor to identify short-term and long-term opportunities to consistently drive new audience and retain visitors to our site and app. They will be responsible for articulating best practices and facilitating regular newsroom education around search and optimization, as well as working with journalists to amplify storytelling in smart ways that attract and engage the next generation of subscribers. They will also work with the SEO team to develop and apply distinct SEO strategies for breaking news and evergreen content for global audiences.
The News Product team is responsible for partnering with the company's product and engineering teams to develop and strengthen the content management systems and planning tools on which Post journalists rely. The director will partner with fellow newsroom and product leaders to develop a strategic roadmap for our publishing tools. They also manage some vendor relationships such as Trint and Tansa. This person will work closely with product managers to prioritize newsroom needs; identify efficiencies and solutions; and advance core editorial platforms and products, including our homepage and section fronts, taxonomy and tagging systems, and content management tools.
Top candidates will be communicative and organized; they will have strong news judgement and a record of successful audience development. We want a strategic thinker and motivated problem solver who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This role requires tremendous coordination with newsroom leadership, assignment editors and product managers, so a collaborative spirit is critical.
Candidates should be well-versed in analytics tools including but not limited to Chartbeat, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, CrowdTangle and Dataminr; the ability to understand and act upon metrics when appropriate is imperative. At least two years of management experience and six years journalism experience required. Proficiency with SEO is preferred. Product management experience is a plus.
This position is based in our Washington newsroom.
Candidates should upload a résumé and cover letter outlining your leadership experience in the news product and/or SEO space to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by 06/12/2022 will be prioritized. Address the cover letter to Head of Curation and Platforms Coleen O'Lear and Chief Product Officer and Managing Editor Kat Downs Mulder.
The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.
Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that's right for you
#washpostlife
Dealing with hard-to-fill positions? Let us help.
News director job description example 3
TEGNA news director job description
KPNX, the TEGNA-owned station in Phoenix, is looking for an experienced, enterprise-minded News Director to lead day-to-day editorial coverage, while overseeing content creation and distribution across multiple platforms.
Our ideal candidate is a proven editorial leader with strong news judgment, a deep commitment for public-service accountability reporting, and a passion for innovation.
In addition to overseeing the vision and strategy for editorial coverage, the News Director will work in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Digital. We are a 24/7 news operation across all screens and our newsroom leader must embrace creative storytelling and investigative journalism as key components of our digital and linear news presence. He or she will also work closely with the digital team to ensure our content best serves a diverse audience on all platforms.
If you have strong editorial decision-making skills, a proven track record of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a desire to lead KPNX's respected journalists to tell stories in a unique and engaging way, then this is the role for you!
Responsibilities:
* Coach, mentor and develop newsroom managers and employees.
* Lead the newsroom to create unique, engaging, and strong public-service accountability reporting to grow a loyal audience and set KPNX apart from competitors.
* Make certain diversity of voices are part of the editorial process and that our daily news coverage reflects the diversity of our audience.
* Ensure that the news team is on top of breaking news and story leads.
* Hold newsroom employees accountable to ethical and editorial standards.
* Grow newscast broadcast share and digital audience key performance indicators.
* Align resources and workflows to deliver news and information in a 24/7 news environment.
* Hire newsroom talent and proactively network with diverse candidates and local journalism organizations to improve our candidate pipeline.
* Conduct regular reviews of news content with Digital Director, Local Programming Coordinator and Marketing Director to ensure we are delivering on our brand tenets.
* Communicate and coach the news content team on content initiatives.
* Collaborate with content leaders across TEGNA to maximize the sharing of our content and to leverage innovation and best practices among stations.
Job Requirements:
Requirements:
* 10 years of news content experience.
* 5 years of experience supervising and leading journalists.
* Ability to lead with empathy while managing and navigating multiple priorities, including breaking news environments.
* Have a deep understanding of tenets of journalism, journalism ethics and broadcast law.
* Proven ability to develop a content strategy and drive accountability.
* Proven track record of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
* Solid journalistic and content judgment that emphasizes accurate, fair and unique local content, along with community engagement.
* Strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to meet deadlines and budget a department.
* Passion and vision for emerging media and new storytelling techniques.
* Understanding of digital production and all current digital platforms.
* Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field and news leadership experience.
* Travel: Rarely: less than 10%
* Work Environment Set: Office: normally performed in a typical interior/office environment
* Physical Demands Set: Light work: Involves sitting most of the time, walking, lifting, bending, standing, etc.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 63 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA's OTT advertising service. For more information, visit
URL blocked - click to apply
.
TEGNA requires all employees to be fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC) against the coronavirus.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We encourage and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, veteran status or genetic information. TEGNA complies with all applicable laws related to accommodations.
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Our ideal candidate is a proven editorial leader with strong news judgment, a deep commitment for public-service accountability reporting, and a passion for innovation.
In addition to overseeing the vision and strategy for editorial coverage, the News Director will work in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Digital. We are a 24/7 news operation across all screens and our newsroom leader must embrace creative storytelling and investigative journalism as key components of our digital and linear news presence. He or she will also work closely with the digital team to ensure our content best serves a diverse audience on all platforms.
If you have strong editorial decision-making skills, a proven track record of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a desire to lead KPNX's respected journalists to tell stories in a unique and engaging way, then this is the role for you!
Responsibilities:
* Coach, mentor and develop newsroom managers and employees.
* Lead the newsroom to create unique, engaging, and strong public-service accountability reporting to grow a loyal audience and set KPNX apart from competitors.
* Make certain diversity of voices are part of the editorial process and that our daily news coverage reflects the diversity of our audience.
* Ensure that the news team is on top of breaking news and story leads.
* Hold newsroom employees accountable to ethical and editorial standards.
* Grow newscast broadcast share and digital audience key performance indicators.
* Align resources and workflows to deliver news and information in a 24/7 news environment.
* Hire newsroom talent and proactively network with diverse candidates and local journalism organizations to improve our candidate pipeline.
* Conduct regular reviews of news content with Digital Director, Local Programming Coordinator and Marketing Director to ensure we are delivering on our brand tenets.
* Communicate and coach the news content team on content initiatives.
* Collaborate with content leaders across TEGNA to maximize the sharing of our content and to leverage innovation and best practices among stations.
Job Requirements:
Requirements:
* 10 years of news content experience.
* 5 years of experience supervising and leading journalists.
* Ability to lead with empathy while managing and navigating multiple priorities, including breaking news environments.
* Have a deep understanding of tenets of journalism, journalism ethics and broadcast law.
* Proven ability to develop a content strategy and drive accountability.
* Proven track record of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
* Solid journalistic and content judgment that emphasizes accurate, fair and unique local content, along with community engagement.
* Strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to meet deadlines and budget a department.
* Passion and vision for emerging media and new storytelling techniques.
* Understanding of digital production and all current digital platforms.
* Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field and news leadership experience.
* Travel: Rarely: less than 10%
* Work Environment Set: Office: normally performed in a typical interior/office environment
* Physical Demands Set: Light work: Involves sitting most of the time, walking, lifting, bending, standing, etc.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 63 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA's OTT advertising service. For more information, visit
URL blocked - click to apply
.
TEGNA requires all employees to be fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC) against the coronavirus.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We encourage and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, veteran status or genetic information. TEGNA complies with all applicable laws related to accommodations.
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Updated March 14, 2024
Updated March 14, 2024