About Gray Media:
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.
About WLUC:
WLUC has been a fixture in Upper Michigan for over 65 years. The #1 rated WLUC is the market leader. The younger FOX UP News is #2 in this competitive six-station market.
The U.P. is a recreational paradise. Winter, summer, spring, or fall, if you enjoy the outdoors, this is the place for you. Ten minutes from anywhere, you’ll find a trail, river, lake, or event to capture your desire. The small town setting is peaceful and safe, but still has the big city entertainment and dining experiences. But it's the people of Upper Michigan who make this area stand out. They're friendly, helpful, honest, and fun.
Job Summary/Description:
The News Director will oversee all aspects of news content production, including broadcast, digital, and social media platforms. This role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, engaging, and accurate news coverage that serves our audience and strengthens the station’s reputation as a trusted news source.
Duties/Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the news team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Recruit, train, and mentor newsroom staff, including reporters, anchors, producers, editors, and photographers.
• Set performance expectations and conduct regular evaluations for all news department personnel.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive content strategy that includes compelling local news, investigative reporting, weather, sports, and community-focused stories.
• Oversee the editorial direction and ensure content meets the highest journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and balance.
• Monitor news broadcasts, digital platforms, and social media to maintain consistency and quality across all channels.
• Drive the station’s digital-first approach by leveraging digital platforms and social media to expand audience engagement and reach.
• Collaborate with the digital team to ensure that timely, accurate, and relevant content is distributed online.
• Work closely with the General Manager and other department heads to align newsroom goals with overall station objectives.
• Represent the station at community events, speaking engagements, and industry conferences to build relationships and promote the brand.
• Act as the primary liaison between the station and the public on news-related matters.
• Oversee the news department budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and managing expenses effectively.
• Plan and implement strategies for new technology and equipment to enhance storytelling and production quality.
• Lead the newsroom in responding to breaking news and emergency situations, ensuring quick, accurate, and comprehensive coverage.
• Develop and maintain protocols for coverage of sensitive or high-stakes events.
Qualifications/Requirements:
• Bachelor's Degree
• 5-10 years of experience in journalism, preferably broadcast TV/digital.
• Ability to make quick, ethical decisions about news coverage, story prioritization, and content accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Strong skills in hiring, training, coaching, and managing a diverse team.
• Deep understanding of newsroom workflows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Knowledge of content management systems, social media platforms, analytics tools, and emerging trends in digital journalism.
• Familiarity with newsroom software, video editing tools, and broadcast equipment.
• The right individual will have a keen eye for visual storytelling and matching words with video.
• Experience overseeing budgets, allocating resources, and managing expenses.
• Networking skills.
If you feel you’re qualified and want to work with a great group of people, go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now", upload your resume, cover letter, and references
(Current employees who are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro self-service portal)
WLUC-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company
Additional Info:
Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
Gray Media encourages all new employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus virus before the first workday.
