News Director

FOX54 WZDX, the TEGNA-owned FOX affiliate in Huntsville, Alabama is seeking an innovative and passionate News Director with experience leading teams and growing talent. Huntsville, known as Rocket City and home to scores of NASA and aerospace interests, is regularly at the top of various "best places to live" lists and rankings.
At FOX54, we have our eyes firmly fixed on growth and new ways to engage, educate and inform our audiences. We are looking for a leader who embraces creative storytelling and investigative journalism as key components of newscasts, as well as digital, streaming and social platforms.
The News Director oversees all content operations and is a leader in the strategic vision for station growth. The ideal candidate has excellent news judgment and strong management skills to tell the big story each day.
Most importantly, this News Director should be a motivator who fosters an inspiring and inclusive culture.
FOX54 and TEGNA are re-imagining local news in the digital age - thinking big and being bold to deliver content to our audience on multiple platforms. The ideal News Director can deliver impactful journalism and develop a digital-first road map in line with the strategic vision of our company.
Our editorial mission statement:
FOX54 produces accurate, relevant content across multiple platforms, empowering people to make informed decisions for themselves and their families. FOX54 encourages our journalists to pursue their purpose, find and tell truths, listen and amplify diverse voices, and filter out disinformation to create understanding, accountability, enlightenment and empathy.
Responsibilities

• Strategically lead, inspire and manage the news department.
• Oversee on-air (and digital) news content.
• Work closely with the news team to produce high-quality, relevant, local content that sets the station apart from competitors.
• Prioritize collaboration between television and digital content teams, along with marketing, to create original programming and breaking news coverage for all platforms.
• Foster, encourage and reward out-of-the-box thinking that leads to differentiation and success.
• Emphasize the importance of solid research to build credibility.
• Use consumer analytics to determine content.
• Skillfully use social media and digital tools to research, discover and distribute content.
• Lead a culture that owns enterprise reporting and breaking news across all content platforms.
• Inspire and coach superior, unique and engaging storytelling.
• Interact daily with all department heads in a mutual effort to achieve station goals and extend our brand.
• Perform other duties, as assigned, to drive and fulfill the mission while abiding by the values of this organization.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and news leadership experience.
• Five-plus years of content experience, including generation of original content with management of other journalists preferred.
• Successful innovative leadership, along with staff and product development skills.
• Top notch communication skills are an absolute must.
• Solid journalistic judgement and a news philosophy that emphasizes accurate, fair and unique local content, along with community engagement.
• Understanding of the tenets of professional journalism.
• Skills in producing engaging, content-driven newscasts and digital content.
• Strong social media skills, including an active news hound presence on YouTube, Facebook and X.
• Organizational skills and the ability to work under time pressure deadlines.
• Ability to calmly handle live, breaking news situations and changing events.
• Travel: Rarely: less than 10%
• Work Environment Set: Office: normally performed in a typical interior/office environment
• Physical Demands Set: Sedentary 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 64 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
www.TEGNA.com
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.
Privacy Notice for California Candidates