NEWS DIRECTOR - WNDU
Gray Television, South Bend, IN, United States
News Director - WNDU
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 45 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more than 70 years, WNDU - the NBC Affiliate based on the University of Notre Dame campus, has been a trusted source for local news and community service. We produce over 36 hours of live news each week and continue to expand our coverage. Our team is committed to the highest standards in news, entertainment, informational, and public service programming. If you are looking to grow your career in a thriving newsroom and enjoy genuinely affordable living, explore our openings - we want to meet you. 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. Duties/Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 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 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 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 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 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 Maintain meticulous attention to detail in all operations Perform other duties as assigned Required Qualifications 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 Desired Skills & Attributes 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 WNDU-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Gray Media expressly prohibits 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. Improper interference with the ability of Gray's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 45 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more than 70 years, WNDU - the NBC Affiliate based on the University of Notre Dame campus, has been a trusted source for local news and community service. We produce over 36 hours of live news each week and continue to expand our coverage. Our team is committed to the highest standards in news, entertainment, informational, and public service programming. If you are looking to grow your career in a thriving newsroom and enjoy genuinely affordable living, explore our openings - we want to meet you. 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. Duties/Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 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 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 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 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 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 Maintain meticulous attention to detail in all operations Perform other duties as assigned Required Qualifications 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 Desired Skills & Attributes 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 WNDU-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Gray Media expressly prohibits 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. Improper interference with the ability of Gray's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.