Executive Producer/Host

This is a key position that prioritizes the development of live and local news and community affairs programming for primary distribution on WUFT-TV, WUFT-FM, WUFT.org, and social media channels. Serving as a primary representative to the community, the Executive Producer/Host will be a content leader in the Division of Media Properties related to identifying issues in the north central Florida region for in-depth coverage and content creation on the public media properties that serve the Gainesville-Ocala, Florida market and beyond.

About the role

The Executive Producer will provide leadership of WUFT-TV/FM’s efforts related to identifying content needs in the communities of north central Florida and producing/hosting programming for all WUFT media platforms. With a focus on news-related community issues, this position will target creating content and programming featuring live or produced in-studio interviews with newsmakers, ensuring that programming is scheduled and promoted in high-profile locations on television, radio, digital, and social media.

The role involves developing a television and radio program that initially airs a minimum of once per week on WUFT-TV and WUFT-FM, working in conjunction with the Director of Media Services (production) and the Director and news manager staff in WUFT’s Innovation News Center. The Executive Producer is responsible for initiating and creating relationships with elected officials and community/civic leaders and incorporating them into live and produced programming on WUFT’s media platforms.

As the producer of the programming, the position will generate story ideas and conversation topics, write and record current affairs interviews with newsmakers for live or produced extended-length (hour-long) programs. The Executive Producer will also oversee a professional immersive experience with select College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) students focused on the creation of news and community affairs programming, incorporating high-level student reporters, producers, anchors, and others into WUFT programming where appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Lead WUFT-TV/FM’s efforts in identifying content needs in north central Florida communities and produce/host programming addressing those issues across all WUFT media platforms.
• Develop and host a weekly television and radio program featuring live or produced in-studio interviews with newsmakers.
• Initiate and cultivate relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and civic leaders for inclusion in programming.
• Generate story ideas and conversation topics for news and community affairs programming.
• Write and record current affairs interviews for extended-length (hour-long) live or produced programs.
• Oversee a student professional immersion experience focused on creating news and community affairs programming, incorporating student talent into WUFT programming.
• Coordinate multimedia content to address news and community issues across WUFT-TV/FM/.org and associated social media channels.
• Serve as a public-facing host for live and produced programming on television, radio, digital, and social media platforms.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in an appropriate area; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Qualifications

• Education focused on journalism, communications, broadcasting, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in journalism or an on-air hosting role.
• Experience producing and hosting a live extended-length program.

About the College of Journalism and Communications

The College of Journalism and Communications is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) and is home to four departments: Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, and Telecommunication. The college provides hands-on learning immersion experiences through the Innovation News Center, The Agency, Frank gatherings, the Division of Multimedia Properties, the Summer Media Institute, undergraduate research, and various extracurricular groups and activities.

Learn more about the College of Journalism and Communications.

About the Division of Media Properties

The Division of Media Properties includes seven broadcast stations, allowing students from throughout the College to gain experience in a competitive broadcast and multimedia environment. More than 200 students work in news, sports, production, management, web design, promotions, and advertising for the radio and television stations each semester.

Learn more about the Division of Media Properties.

Learn more about the Innovation News Center.

About Gainesville

Gainesville is home to Florida’s largest and oldest university and serves as one of the state’s centers of education, medicine, cultural events, and athletics. The city owns a regional transit system, a regional airport, and a 72-par championship golf course. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and natural surroundings, Gainesville’s numerous parks, museums, and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. The city is recognized for its beautiful landscape and urban “forest,” making it one of the most attractive cities in Florida.

Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds.