ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR - WAFB

GRAY MEDIA; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

WAFB-TV/Gray Media, Inc. in Baton Rouge seeks an innovative Assistant News Director to lead our daily newsroom operations, drive multi-platform content strategy, and mentor a winning team of journalists.

In this senior leadership role, you will direct content distribution across linear, digital, streaming and emerging platforms simultaneously, ensuring every story is maximized to meet our viewers wherever they are.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Mass Communications or related field.
• Significant newsroom experience with editorial decision-making.
• Proven leadership and ability to mentor a diverse newsroom team.
• Strong multi-platform experience across digital, social, streaming and broadcast.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily newsroom operations and editorial strategy.
• Drive multi-platform content distribution across platforms.
• Mentor and develop journalists and producers.
• Guide the newsroom through evolving journalism initiatives under tight deadlines.

Skills

Leadership

Newsroom leadership

Multi-platform expertise

Communication

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Mass Communications

Job description

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 46 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our 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 WAFB:

WAFB, located in Baton Rouge, is known for its long history of award-winning news, weather and sports coverage and its deep commitment to serving South Louisiana.

Job Summary/Description:

WAFB is seeking an innovative and driven Assistant News Director to lead our daily newsroom operations, drive our multi-platform content strategy, and mentor a winning team of journalists.

WAFB is seeking an innovative, audience-first Assistant News Director to help lead a dominant newsroom focused on being first and winning big in breaking news, weather, investigative, and sports. In this role, you will direct content distribution across linear, digital, streaming, and emerging platforms simultaneously, ensuring every story is maximized to meet our viewers wherever they are. This senior leadership position is designed for a dynamic leader who can mentor, teach, and elevate our entire newsroom team. As we make bold, structural changes to define the next phase of multi-platform journalism, you will use your passion for innovation and leadership to execute our vision.

Please note : primary job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the information listed above

Qualifications/Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Journalism, Mass Communications, or a related field.
• Significant prior newsroom experience is a must, with a proven track record of outstanding newscast production and editorial decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship skills, with the ability to teach, guide, and develop a diverse newsroom team.
• Strong multi-platform expertise, including a deep understanding of digital, social, streaming, and emerging platforms alongside traditional broadcast.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills with a passion for innovation and executing a shared vision under tight deadlines.

WAFB-TV/Gray Media, Inc. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.