ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR - WCAX

Gray Local Media, Inc; South Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Drug-free workplace

Job summary

WCAX-TV, Vermont's leading news station and part of Gray Media, is looking for an aggressive, results-driven Assistant News Director to strengthen editorial judgment and oversee day-to-day newsroom operations.

You will coach reporters and producers, plan coverage across shows and social media, review scripts and rundowns, and help develop digital strategies. A proven newsroom leadership track record and experience directing breaking-news coverage are essential.

Qualifications

• Editorial leadership and strong writing with ethics.
• Ability to direct breaking news coverage across platforms.
• Digital-first mindset for content distribution.
• Guide, support and inspire producers, anchors and reporters.
• Motivate the team while holding members accountable.
• Understand rundown systems, CMS and live production basics.
• Clear decisions and directions in high-stress settings.
• 3+ years newsroom leadership (EP/Managing Editor/Asst ND).
• 2 years as EP or senior producer preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise reporters, anchors, photographers, and producers.
• Plan and direct daily news coverage across all shows and social media platforms.
• Review scripts and rundowns
• Maintain newsroom standards and accountability.
• Work with the digital content manager to distribute news fast on all platforms.
• Work with the assignment manager to develop story ideas and plan coverage.

Skills

Editorial Leadership

Urgency

Digital Competency

People Skills

Motivational Skills

Content Production Knowledge

Communication Skills

Management Experience

EP / Senior Producer

Tools

ENPS

Digital CMS

Live production workflows

Job description

About Gray Media:

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 47 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.

Salary/Wage:

$70,000 - $80,000/yr.

Shift and Schedule:

Mon. - Fri.

Job Type:

Full-Time

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About WCAX:

WCAX is the original and leading station in the Burlington-Plattsburgh market. We paved the way for TV in this whole area of the country. We are a station of innovators.

Take this opportunity to build your career in a place where people come from all over the world to enjoy. Ski at some of the best-known resorts in America in the winter and hike, boat, and play outdoors in the summer. The Burlington, Vermont, area is one of the most beautiful places in North America. Maybe you'll find yourself at the top of the Green Mountains in Vermont or the Adirondacks in New York. Then again, the foodie culture of downtown Burlington may whet your appetite for delicious traditional favorites or haute cuisine.

Job Summary/Description:

WCAX, Vermont's leading news station, is looking for an aggressive, results-driven news leader to serve as our Assistant News Director. This is a role for someone committed to winning and building a newsroom culture defined by urgency and excellence. The successful candidate is someone with great editorial judgment, the ability to manage day-to-day newsroom operations, coach reporters, and help develop emerging digital strategies. If your goal is to be a news director of the future, WCAX is a great place for you!

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supervise reporters, anchors, photographers, and producers.
• Plan and direct daily news coverage across all shows and social media platforms.
• Review scripts and rundowns
• Maintain newsroom standards and accountability.
• Work with the digital content manager to distribute news fast on all platforms.
• Work with the assignment manager to develop story ideas, plan for future news events, and anticipate coverage needs.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Editorial Leadership: Excellent news judgment, strong writing and storytelling ability, firm grasp of newsroom principles and journalism ethics, and ability to teach best practices to staff.
• Commitment to Urgency: Ability to direct breaking news coverage on all platforms and champion the First Alert weather strategy.
• Digital Competency: Solid understanding of current platforms, distribution of content, and commitment to a digital-first strategy.
• People Skills: Ability to guide, support, and inspire producers, anchors, and reporters.
• Motivational Skills: The capability to motivate the team while holding those you lead accountable.
• Content Production Knowledge: Understanding of basic rundown systems (ENPS), digital CMS, live production basics, field workflows, and modern video formats.
• Superb Communication Skills: Ability to deliver clear decisions and directions in a high-stress environment.
• Management Experience: 3+ years newsroom leadership (EP/Managing Editor/Asst ND)
• Record of Success: Proven skills to direct breaking-news coverage on all platforms.
• Experience: 2 years of experience as an EP or senior producer, preferred.

WCAX-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.