Morning News Host

WPTF is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to lead morning programming and oversee day-to-day station operations. This dual-role blends the energy and visibility of a live news host with the strategic oversight of a broadcast operations manager.

About the role

As the morning news host, you will be the voice that wakes up the Triangle — delivering local, state, and national news in a clear, engaging, and informative way. As operations manager, you’ll work closely with programming, engineering, and station leadership to ensure seamless technical execution and content delivery. This is a high-impact role for a broadcast professional who is passionate about news, understands the Raleigh/Durham market, and is ready to lead both behind the mic and behind the scenes.

Responsibilities

• Anchor the live weekday morning news broadcast from 5AM to 9AM.
• Deliver news, weather, traffic, and information updates in a conversational, clear, and unbiased manner.
• Conduct live and pre-recorded interviews with newsmakers, public officials, experts, and community members.
• Collaborate with the VP of News and other show contributors to create engaging, relevant content.
• Stay up to date on breaking news and local developments to keep the show timely and informative.
• Maintain a strong social media presence that extends the show’s reach and drives audience engagement.
• Oversee daily station operations, including broadcast scheduling, automation systems, and technical coordination.
• Work with programming and engineering to ensure smooth transitions between shows and clean broadcast execution.
• Manage communication between departments and troubleshoot on-air or backend issues as they arise.
• Help implement station policies, ensure compliance with FCC regulations, and maintain broadcast standards.
• Assist in onboarding and training part-time staff or interns as needed.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a radio host, anchor, or reporter — morning drive experience a plus.
• Strong understanding of radio operations, scheduling, and broadcast automation systems.
• Broad knowledge of current events, public affairs, and local Raleigh-area issues.
• Confident and professional on-air delivery with strong storytelling ability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work early mornings and flexible hours as required.
• Social media savvy with an understanding of how to engage and grow an audience.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting, communications, or related field preferred.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Raleigh area, with a working knowledge of the Triangle market.