News Director - Wndu

About WNDU:

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.

• Strategic Leadership & Planning:
  • 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.
• Leadership & Team Development:
  • 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.
• Content Strategy & Operations:
  • 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.
• Digital & Social Media Strategy:
  • 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.
• Resource Management & Planning:
  • 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.
• Additional Duties:
  • 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…