Job Summary

The On-Air TV News Director is responsible for overseeing WGCU's on-air hosts and multimedia journalists in delivery of a high-quality nightly newscast, in the styles of PBS NewsHour and Firing Line with Margaret Hoover. This role involves utilizing the overall public media philosophy, content, and output of WGCU news and information programming alongside the On-Air Radio News Director and the Digital News Director, in order to maintain consistency in coordinating news content across all platforms. Additionally, the role includes mentoring on-air staff, fostering their professional development, and ensuring that all news segments meet editorial standards and deadlines.

WGCU is Southwest Florida's source for PBS and NPR. A member-supported service of Florida Gulf Coast University, WGCU provides educational programming that inspires, informs and engages our community. Serving all or part of 12 counties in south and Southwest Florida, with five distinct digital TV channels, two FM radio channels, two HD radio channels, and multiple websites, WGCU delivers national and international programming, and develops, produces and delivers relevant, informative and educational local programs to the region.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

Leads and manages television broadcast production activities for on-air host/reporters/videographers, including pre-production, production, and post-production for nightly newscasts.
Hires, oversees, and trains a team of producers, hosts, and other production staff to support all aspects of TV production. Assigns tasks in alignment with departmental goals, and scheduling daily on-air shifts, serving as an on-air backup when needed.
Ensures newscasts and programs meet required quality standards, consistent with the PBS & NPR brands and local station branding. Collaborates with the On-Air Radio Manager and Digital Manager to ensure consistent news across all platforms.
Develops, implements, and tracks WGCU-TV news programming in alignment with overall programming goals and mission, regularly evaluating primary topics and issues.
Plans and schedules program topics for nightly newscast in collaboration with the executive producer of content, senior producer/writer, producer, ensuring smooth coordination with guests and logistics for taping.
Assists show hosts with researching topics and preparing for tapings.
Supervises on-air host/multimedia journalist news staff, developing the news format, and holding staff accountable for actualizing news programming.
Ensures appropriate coordination with other WGCU Public Media departments and projects.
Keeps abreast of journalistic and market trends to serve WGCU's broadcast and digital audiences and update WGCU TVs news goals.

Other Duties

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

This position requires either nine years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and five years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
Experience in radio programming, operations, and management.
Must be an excellent writer and ability to demonstrate superior on-air voice quality.
Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of current trends in public broadcasting.
Knowledge of policies, procedures, and guidelines established by professional news organizations and/or governing agencies.
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods, including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Skill in current digital editing and general desktop software applications.
Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations when numerous and complex demands are involved.
Ability to use portable recording devices, and in-studio production equipment.
Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relations with colleagues, coworkers, and constituents.
Ability to think critically and creatively, have a high standard of integrity, and be motivated to incorporate best practices into the organizational structure.
Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
Ability to effectively manage the work of others by providing information, guidance and motivation.

Pay Grade 18

On-Air TV News Director

Job Type