Director of Content & Innovation

Nexstar Media; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexstar Media is seeking a Director of Content & Innovation for KIAH-TV/CW39 in Houston to lead the Content Department across newsroom operations, digital, streaming, and social platforms. The role centers on a data-driven, multiplatform content strategy that prioritizes audience growth, engagement, and community impact.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in newsroom leadership, a journalistic philosophy of excellence, and a proven ability to build and coach high-performing teams while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Media Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five years newsroom experience, including at least two years in content leadership, news leadership, or data-driven decision making.
• Demonstrated success leading content teams across multiple platforms, including digital, social, streaming, and broadcast.
• Strong understanding of total audience development, content strategy, streaming, CTV, social video, and digital publishing.
• Experience building high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the Content Department across newsroom operations, digital content, streaming/CTV, social media, weather, sports, and content production.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive multiplatform content strategy focused on total audience growth, engagement, and community impact.
• Build a "Content First" culture that prioritizes storytelling, audience needs, and platform optimization over traditional show-based production.
• Establish and manage rolling editorial workflows that allow content to move seamlessly across broadcast, streaming, digital, social, and emerging platforms.
• Drive growth of live streaming, CTV programming, digital video, vertical video, and other audience-focused content initiatives.
• Lead recruitment, coaching, training, and performance management for all content staff to prepare current and future content creators and newsroom leaders to excel in our modernized, "Content First" newsroom.
• Use audience insights, analytics, and performance data to inform content decisions and improve results across all platforms.
• Encourage experimentation, innovation, and the development of new content formats that differentiate the station in the market.
• Partner with station leadership to identify opportunities for growth, operational efficiency, and long-term total audience development.
• Ensure content consistently reflects journalistic excellence, community impact, creativity, and audience value.
• Oversee content budgets, resource allocation, and strategic investments in technology, training, and workflow.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Newsroom leadership

Multiplatform storytelling

Analytics use

Editorial judgment

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism or related field

Tools

CMS platforms

Job description

KIAH-TV/CW39 is a hyperlocal television station in Houston, TX and we are looking for a Director of Content & Innovation (previously known as News Director).

What You’ll Do

• Lead all aspects of the Content Department across newsroom operations, digital content, streaming/CTV, social media, weather, sports, and content production.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive multiplatform content strategy focused on total audience growth, engagement, and community impact.
• Build a "Content First" culture that prioritizes storytelling, audience needs, and platform optimization over traditional show-based production.
• Establish and manage rolling editorial workflows that allow content to move seamlessly across broadcast, streaming, digital, social, and emerging platforms.
• Drive growth of live streaming, CTV programming, digital video, vertical video, and other audience-focused content initiatives.
• Lead recruitment, coaching, training, and performance management for all content staff to prepare current and future content creators and newsroom leaders to excel in our modernized, "Content First" newsroom.
• Use audience insights, analytics, and performance data to inform content decisions and improve results across all platforms.
• Encourage experimentation, innovation, and the development of new content formats that differentiate the station in the market.
• Partner with station leadership to identify opportunities for growth, operational efficiency, and long-term total audience development.
• Ensure content consistently reflects journalistic excellence, community impact, creativity, and audience value.
• Oversee content budgets, resource allocation, and strategic investments in technology, training, and workflow.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Media Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five years newsroom experience, including at least two years in content leadership, news leadership, or data-driven decision making.
• Demonstrated success leading content teams across multiple platforms, including digital, social, streaming, and broadcast.
• Strong understanding of total audience development, content strategy, streaming, CTV, social video, and digital publishing.
• Experience building high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and implement new workflows, technologies, and content strategies.
• Strong editorial judgment and a commitment to journalistic excellence.
• Experience using analytics and audience data to guide content decisions and measure success.
• Ability to establish long-term goals, develop strategic plans, and execute performance objectives.
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with newsroom, digital publishing, streaming, and content production technologies preferred.
• Passion for innovation, community storytelling, and the future of local journalism.

Success in This Role The ideal candidate understands that great journalism is no longer created for a single platform. The Director of Content and Innovation is a builder, a coach, an innovator, and a content strategist who can inspire teams to create compelling local content that connects with audiences across every screen and platform while preparing the station for the future of local media.

OUR VALUES

We respect our audience, customers, team members and owners. We encourage every individual's contribution and personal growth. We honor diversity. We foster work environments that provide personal pride through job satisfaction and a balanced life. We embrace the communities in which we operate. We promote open communication, innovation, and creativity. We strive for excellence in all our endeavors. We are in the local content business, providing multiple platforms for news, entertainment, and successful marketing solutions, enriching each community we serve. Each of our television stations are local service businesses.

OPPORTUNITY

With markets ranging from small to major, Nexstar has a place for every experience level. Whether you're just starting your broadcasting career or ready to make the leap into a larger market, Nexstar offers a broad range of opportunities. And that same market diversity allows Nexstar to give employees room to grow and progress in their careers. As your experience, ability, talent, and ambition grows, so too will your options within Nexstar Nation.