Temporary News Director

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing trusted local news and services. 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.

About the role

KBMT/KJAC‑TV, the TEGNA‑owned ABC affiliate in Beaumont, TX, is seeking an experienced news leader to serve as Temporary News Director. This temporary assignment will provide day‑to‑day newsroom leadership, editorial oversight, and support to the KBMT/KJAC team. The director will uphold high standards of engaging storytelling, investigative excellence, and impactful news content with a focus on breaking news, local weather, and sports.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and oversight of the KBMT/KJAC newsroom throughout the temporary assignment.
• Lead all daypart teams to create unique newscasts that showcase KBMT’s high‑quality content.
• Coach producers to execute newscasts in an exciting, captivating, and authentic manner, including storytelling, presentation, and segment development.
• Coach on‑air reporters to perform in an engaging manner.
• Support newsroom staffing and recruitment efforts as needed during the assignment.
• Serve as a key voice in the KBMT editorial process and use research and analytics to guide editorial decisions.
• Collaborate with content leaders to ensure alignment of broadcast and digital platforms and teams.
• Oversee planning of special events and major breaking‑news coverage.
• Provide stability, leadership, and communication to the newsroom during the temporary assignment.
• Perform other tasks as required by the Vice President of Content for the region based on station needs.

Requirements

• College degree in journalism, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of news experience, preferably including supervision and leadership of other journalists.
• Previous newsroom management experience strongly preferred.
• Skills in overseeing and producing engaging, urgent, high‑value content‑driven newscasts.
• Strong writing skills.
• Special programming experience is a plus.
• Solid social‑media skills, including an active news‑hound strategy across platforms.
• Experience with shooting, editing, and content‑management systems.
• Strong understanding of the tenets of professional journalism.
• Organizational skills and the ability to remain calm under constant deadlines.
• Ability to quickly step into an established newsroom, assess immediate needs, and provide effective leadership for the duration of the temporary assignment.

Temporary Assignment

This position is a temporary assignment based on station business needs. The anticipated duration may vary.

Benefits

• Two medical plan options for full‑ and part‑time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, plus dental and eye coverage.
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) program with employee contributions of 1%–80% of pay; company matches 100% of contributions up to the first 4% of pay and is fully vested from day one.
• All employees receive nine free virtual doctor appointments via Teladoc.
• 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and nine paid holidays per year.
• Benefits may vary for employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.