Assistant News Director

Hearst Magazines; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearst Television's WLWT in Cincinnati seeks an Assistant News Director to guide daily operations, shape community‑driven storytelling, and ensure editorial integrity across on‑air and online platforms.

You will work with the News Director to drive breaking news coverage, mentor staff, and lead big-event coverage like elections and debates. Bachelor’s in Broadcast Communications or related field required; five years in newsroom leadership preferred; digital-first mindset.

Qualifications

• Five years of newsroom management experience.
• Strategic content development and team growth.
• Digital-first mindset and 24/7 news environment adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Work with the News Director to ensure content aligns with brand and strategy.
• Lead on breaking news, weather coverage, and enterprise reporting.
• Collaborate with reporters to deliver dynamic stories and live shots.
• Plan and execute big events coverage (elections, debates, live events).
• Lead investigative, consumer, and medical coverage.
• Provide mentorship and daily feedback to team members.

Skills

Newsroom management

Editorial judgment

Digital content

Team leadership

Breaking news

Education

Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communications or related field

Job description

WLWT, Hearst Television’s NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, is seeking a dynamic, creative, and experienced newsroom leader to be our next Assistant News Director. The ideal candidate must have excellent news judgement and a strong command of breaking news and big story coverage on‑air and online. In addition to managing the daily operations of a highly competitive market newsroom, you must have the journalistic know‑how needed to make critical editorial and ethical decisions. As Assistant News Director, you will play a key role in shaping impactful, community‑driven storytelling that leads the way on digital and linear platforms. This is a rare opportunity to join one of the most respected stations and ownership groups in the nation.

Responsibilities

• Work with the News Director to ensure daily and long-term content adheres to the WLWT brand and the department’s overall strategy.
• Be the voice of urgency, leading the charge on breaking news, weather coverage, and enterprise reporting across all platforms.
• Work with reporters to deliver dynamic and engaging stories and live shots.
• Play a leading role in planning and executing big event coverage such as elections, debates, major live events, and community‑focused efforts.
• Lead the way to ensure the success of investigative, consumer, and medical coverage.
• Provide mentorship and daily feedback to team members.

Requirements

• Five years of newsroom management experience
• A strategic approach to building content, growing people, and embracing technology
• Commitment to digital‑first mindset
• Ability to command a large staff in an ever‑evolving 24/7 news environment
• Producing background preferred but not required

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or related military training in Broadcast Communications, Journalism, or related field.

Values in Action

At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That’s why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.