ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR - KOLD

About Gray Media

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 47 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our 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.

About KOLD

13 News is a Gray Television station and the CBS affiliate in Tucson, Arizona. We are the best local television station in Southern Arizona and the #1 digital platform - and we've been around for more than 70 years! We are committed to the highest standards of excellence in our local news, entertainment, information, and public service programming. We produce 62 hours of live, televised newscasts per week between KOLD and our shared services partner, KMSB Fox 11. If you’ve never been to Tucson, let us tell you all the things you’ll love: Plentiful sunshine, natural beauty, diverse culture, active lifestyles, great food, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, breathtaking views, unforgettable sunsets, challenging biking trails, community events, accessible natural locations for all ages… it would have been quicker for us to just say you’ll love it all.

Job Summary/Description

• Help guide the newsroom’s daily editorial coverage across broadcast, streaming, digital, and social platforms.
• Support, coach, and develop producers, EPs, anchors, reporters, photographers, and other newsroom team members.
• Work closely with producers and EPs to strengthen rundowns, improve writing, elevate showcasing, and create newscasts that are urgent, clear, and compelling.
• Review scripts, rundowns, and digital content with a focus on accuracy, fairness, clarity, tone, and viewer impact.
• Lead or help lead editorial meetings that encourage strong ideas, thoughtful discussion, and a clear plan for the day.
• Help direct breaking news, severe weather, and major event coverage across all platforms.
• Champion the station’s First Alert brand by making sure weather and safety coverage is timely, useful, and trusted by viewers.
• Partner with the digital content manager to make sure important news reaches audiences quickly and effectively wherever they are.
• Encourage platform-specific storytelling so content is created thoughtfully for TV, streaming, web, mobile, and social audiences.
• Work with the assignment manager to develop story ideas, plan future coverage, and anticipate newsroom needs.
• Help prepare the team for elections, severe weather, community events, special coverage, and enterprise reporting opportunities.
• Maintain strong newsroom standards while creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow.
• Communicate clearly and calmly during busy, high-pressure moments.
• Collaborate with news leadership and other departments on newscast style, coverage plans, audience growth, and station priorities.
• Help build a newsroom culture that values teamwork, urgency, accountability, creativity, and kindness.
• Identify, encourage, and develop future newsroom leaders.

Qualifications/Requirements

• The ideal candidate is an experienced newsroom leader who knows how to win the day while also investing in the people around them.
• We are looking for someone who is confident but approachable, competitive but collaborative, and committed to both strong journalism and a healthy newsroom culture.
• You should bring: Significant experience as an Executive Producer, Assistant News Director, News Director, Managing Editor, Senior Producer, or similar newsroom leadership role.
• A strong background in producing, leading, coaching, and mentoring producers and executive producers.
• Your “show doctor” skills: A proven record of strong newscast production, editorial decision-making, innovation, and audience-focused coverage.
• Experience leading breaking news, severe weather, and major event coverage across broadcast and digital platforms.
• Excellent news judgment, strong writing and storytelling skills, and a solid understanding of journalism ethics and newsroom standards.
• The ability to teach best practices in writing, producing, showcasing, story selection, urgency, and multi-platform coverage.
• A steady, clear communication style, especially during breaking news or high-pressure situations.
• Strong people skills and a genuine desire to help producers, reporters, anchors, and photographers grow.
• The ability to motivate a team, set clear expectations, and hold people accountable respectfully and productively.
• A good understanding of digital platforms, streaming, social media, audience engagement, and digital-first content strategy.
• Familiarity with newsroom tools and workflows, including rundown systems such as ENPS, digital CMS platforms, live production basics, field workflows, and modern video formats.
• An understanding of the First Alert brand and how weather, safety, and breaking news can serve audiences across every platform.

Experience/Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of newsroom leadership experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required