Job Information
Nexstar Media Group Assistant News Director in Kansas City, Missouri
FOX4, the Nexstar station in Kansas City, MO, is looking for an experienced Assistant News Director to join our winning team. Kansas City is the 34th TV Market, serving more than 2M viewers. WDAF-TV is the legacy station in the market and #1 in the target demo in all newscasts.
The qualified candidate will play a pivotal role in our mission to inform and engage our audience. The Assistant News Director will collaborate closely with the News Director to oversee all aspects of newscasts, weather, digital and sports.
The Assistant News Director is a key leadership role in the newsroom, supporting the News Director in managing daily news operations, strategic planning, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality news content. This role is critical for maintaining the station’s competitive edge and ensuring journalistic integrity.
Key Responsibilities:
Editorial Leadership
Assist in setting the editorial direction and tone for all news content
Oversee daily news gathering and production process
Ensure content is accurate, fair and follows station standards and guidelines
Staff Management
Support recruitment, training, and development of newsroom staff
Provide feedback, conduct performance reviews, and foster a collaborative team environment
Coordinate with producers, reporters, and other news staff to optimize workflow and efficiency
Ensure appropriate staffing based on programming and newscast needs, managing and monitoring PTO
Strategic Planning
Assist in developing and implementing strategies to grow viewership and market share
Stay in tune with industry trends and emerging technologies to help the newsroom innovate
Help create special programming and coverage plans for major events
Content Quality Assurance
Review scripts, segments, and overall newscasts for quality control
Ensure compliance with FCC regulations and other legal standards
Maintain high standards for visual and audio quality
Crisis Management
Assist in coordinating coverage of breaking news and emergency situations
Ensure the newsroom is prepared for coverage of major stories, including natural disasters and political events
Maintain calm and decisive leadership during high-pressure situations
Address viewer feedback and concerns promptly and effectively. Elevate to News Director and General Manager as appropriate.
Essential Skills and Qualifications
At least five years in a newsroom environment, with a proven track record and a minimum of two years in leadership
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field
Proficiency with newsroom software, digital platforms, and social media
Strong leadership and team-building skills; ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to articulate vision and strategy clearly
Strong editorial judgment and the ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms, including more than 310,000 hours of programming produced annually by its business units. Nexstar owns America’s largest local television broadcasting group comprised of top network affiliates, with 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 220 million people. Nexstar’s national television properties include The CW, America’s fifth major broadcast network, NewsNation, our national news network providing “News for All America,” popular entertainment multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including its local TV station websites, The Hill and NewsNationNow.com, are collectively a Top 10 U.S. digital news and information property. For more information, please visit nexstar.tv.
EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.