Assistant News Director; morning

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than
100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

Assistant News Director (Morning)

WTHR-TV
• Indianapolis, Indiana

WTHR-TV, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, is searching for a transformational and people-first leader to oversee our morning daypart across broadcast, streaming and digital platforms. This is an overnight/early morning leadership position that plays a critical role in shaping our morning news coverage and ensuring our teams are positioned to deliver impactful journalism as Central Indiana starts its day. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a legacy newsroom in Indiana’s capital city, a thriving metropolitan area with a strong sense of community, a rich sports tradition and a dynamic news landscape.

This leader will uphold TEGNA’s values in every decision: demand the truth, work smarter, do the right thing and win. These values guide how we serve our audiences, support our teams and deliver essential journalism every day.

The Assistant News Director plays a central role in our newsroom transformation, directly overseeing the station’s morning daypart and leading editorial strategy and execution during overnight and early morning hours. You will partner closely with anchors, producers, reporters and the story desk (digital team and assignment desk combined) to own the big story, deliver the most trusted weather information and elevate our coverage on every screen.

This role demands a coach who can grow talent, push innovation and inspire a newsroom committed to serving Indianapolis and Central Indiana with journalism that matters.

This position reports to the News Director.

Key Responsibilities

Morning Editorial Leadership

• Directly oversee the station’s morning daypart, providing hands-on editorial leadership during overnight and early morning hours
• Own editorial decision-making for the morning daypart on all platforms
• Ensure content is competitive, urgent and rooted in context, accountability and solutions
• Shape daily story development with producers, reporters and digital journalists
• Lead breaking news coverage and special events with speed and clarity
• Champion WTHR’s commitment to earning trust in every story we tell

Streaming & Digital Strategy

• Develop and execute a multi-platform content plan that reflects TEGNA’s transformation strategy
• Prioritize vertical video, content for OTT/CTV audiences and storytelling built for mobile-first users
• Optimize workflows for 24/7 content delivery across multiple platforms
• Drive experimentation with new formats, interactive experiences and innovative presentation

Audience Growth & Analytics

• Use analytics, research and audience behavior insights to guide editorial choices
• Execute SEO, push alerts, newsletters and social strategies that strengthen reach and loyalty
• Ensure content serves the unique needs of Indianapolis and communities across Central Indiana

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Coach, mentor and elevate producers, reporters, editors and digital journalists
• Deliver consistent feedback and build a culture rooted in curiosity, collaboration and accountability
• Support recruitment and development of high-potential talent
• Model leadership that reflects WTHR’s values, TEGNA’s values and the expectations of a modern multi-platform newsroom

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with the News Director on long-term editorial, workflow and staffing strategy
• Implement new tools, technology and partnerships that make the newsroom…