News Director

Essential Functions

• Set the daily editorial agenda for the newsroom and determine coverage priorities based on timeliness and relevance.
• Lead editorial meetings to review developments, assign stories, and ensure timely coverage of important local and regional news.
• Ensure consistently produces original reporting that advances stories and reflects what is happening in the community.
• Direct newsroom response to breaking news and major developments.
• Maintain high editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, clarity, and relevance.

Morning News Leadership

• Shape daily coverage for the morning drive, company's most widely heard daypart.
• Cook up daily newscasts, live updates, and reporter appearances.
• Coordinate with producer and hosts to deliver timely newscasts, live updates, and reporter appearances.
• Ensure the newsroom is prepared to respond quickly when news breaks during the morning broadcast.

Reporting and Story Development

• Assign stories, and deadlines, and guide reporters through the reporting process.
• Edit scripts and audio for broadcast and digital publication.
• Coach reporters on sourcing, interviewing, writing, and story structure.
• Identify opportunities for accountability and investigative reporting.
• Ensure reporting is prepared for both broadcast and digital publication, including timely online updates and multimedia storytelling when appropriate.

Newsroom Systems and Workflow Development

• Evaluate and refine newsroom workflows to ensure reporting moves efficiently from story idea to broadcast and digital publication.
• Strengthen editorial planning and coordination across reporters, producers, and hosts.
• Improve workflows to support faster reporting and timely response to developing stories.
• Expand reporting capacity through better planning and collaboration.

Newsroom Management

• Supervise and mentor reporters and editorial staff.
• Manage schedules and staffing to ensure coverage of daily news and breaking events.
• Track reporting progress and ensure deadlines are met.
• Provide regular feedback and coaching to strengthen newsroom performance.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Coordinate coverage with regional public media organizations and journalism partners.
• Communicate with NPR and other national partners about story opportunities and contributions.
• Participate in statewide collaborative reporting efforts.

Audience and Digital Strategy

• Use audience insights, digital analytics, and listener feedback to inform editorial decisions.
• Ensure coverage reflects the interests and needs of the communities are served.
• Ensure company's reporting is effectively published across broadcast and digital platforms, including web, mobile, and social media.
• Guide the newsroom in using digital publishing tools and audience insights to expand the reach and impact of local journalism.

Other Functions

• Serve as a fill-in host for local newscasts or other news programming as needed.
• Assist with major reporting projects or breaking news coverage when required.
• Participate in station fundraising activities, including on-air fundraising as needed.
• Represent company at community events, journalism collaborations, or professional gatherings.
• Operate newsroom, recording, and broadcast systems as needed.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in journalism, communications, or a related field.
• At least five years of professional experience in a newsroom environment, including editorial leadership, reporting, or story editing.
• Demonstrated news judgment and ability to set coverage priorities in a fast-moving news environment.
• Experience assigning, editing, and developing stories for broadcast, digital, or multimedia platforms.
• Strong writing and script-editing skills.
• Ability to guide reporters and shape daily news coverage.
• Demonstrated experience responding to breaking and developing news, including emergency situations such as severe weather and public safety incidents.
• Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with audio editing tools such as Adobe Audition or similar software.
• Ability to work early morning hours as part of leading daily newsroom operations.
• Ability to handle personnel matters and confidential information responsibly.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience working in broadcast, public media, digital, or nonprofit newsrooms.
• Experience supervising reporters or managing newsroom staff.
• Familiarity with public radio news programming such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
• Track record of producing or editing impactful local journalism.
• Knowledge of issues affecting the communities are served.
• Experience contributing stories to national or regional news organizations.
• Experience with digital publishing systems, multimedia tools, and social media platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small newsroom environment.