News Director

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.

WOI KCWI-TV, the TEGNA-owned ABC affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa, is recruiting a passionate, strategic news leader to oversee all aspects of our multi-platform content operation. This leader will champion WOI KCWI-TV’s high standards for engaging storytelling, investigative excellence, and content that is relevant, compelling, and impactful across every platform. The ideal candidate brings a strong streaming mindset, creating and optimizing content for broadcast, digital, and streaming audiences, and leads with sharp editorial judgment and a commitment to winning breaking news, leading weather coverage, and driving strong enterprise reporting that serves our community.

The ideal candidate brings an interest and track record of developing talent, tracking metrics to make data-driven editorial decisions, leading staff growth, and recruiting high-potential team members, all while fostering a collaborative and accountable newsroom culture. Des Moines is a dynamic and competitive market serving audiences across Central Iowa, with a strong appetite for impactful local journalism, severe weather coverage, and community-driven storytelling. As Iowa’s capital city, Des Moines is at the center of major stories shaping the state, from politics and government to agriculture, business, and a growing regional economy.

The News Director will work creatively and collaboratively with WOI KCWI-TV’s newsroom and station leadership to ensure content is relevant to the needs of our audience by owning the day’s big story, delivering consistency in presentation, and providing context and exclusive reporting that sets us apart. 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. This is an opportunity to lead a newsroom in Iowa’s capital city and help shape coverage in a market where local journalism plays a vital role in connecting, informing, and serving communities across Central Iowa.

Responsibilities

• Lead all daypart teams to create unique, impactful newscasts that showcase WOI KCWI-TV’s high-quality content across broadcast, digital, and streaming platforms
• Coach and develop producers to execute newscasts in an engaging, authentic, and audience-focused manner, including storytelling, showcasing, and presentation
• Coach reporters and anchors to perform in a compelling and conversational way that connects with viewers
• Lead recruitment efforts across the newsroom, with a focus on building a team that reflects the community we serve
• Serve as a key voice in the WOI KCWI-TV editorial process, helping shape daily and long-term coverage priorities
• Use research, audience insights, and analytics to guide editorial decisions and content strategy
• Collaborate with news leaders to ensure alignment across platforms and maximize audience reach
• Oversee planning and execution of special projects and community-focused initiatives
• Lead coverage of major breaking news and severe weather events with urgency, accuracy, and impact
• Perform other tasks as required by the Vice President of Content for the region

Requirements

• College degree in journalism, communications, or related field
• Minimum of 5–7 years of news experience preferred, including newsroom leadership and supervision
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and produce engaging, urgent, and high-value content-driven newscasts
• Strong writing skills are required; experience with special programming is a plus
• Solid social media skills and a strong understanding of audience engagement across platforms
• Experience with shooting, editing, and content management systems
• Strong understanding of the tenets of professional journalism
• Organizational skills and the ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
• Access to dental and eye care coverage
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance
• Disability and life insurance
• 401(k) program with 100% company match on contributions up to the first 4% of pay, fully vested from day one
• Nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc for all employees and eligible family members
• Twelve free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health for all employees and eligible family members
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit and nine paid holidays per year

Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply.