Director, Production

Nexstar Media Group Inc.; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

WKRG-TV News 5, part of Nexstar Media Group, is seeking a Director/Technical Director to lead live and pre-recorded newscasts across TV, digital streams and social platforms. The role requires hands-on TD experience, strong editorial judgment, and the ability to coordinate across multiple teams and locations.

The ideal candidate will manage studio tech, program graphics, and on-air presentation, while ensuring quality, accuracy, and timely delivery of content.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience as director/TD of live newscasts preferred.
• Experience in production, broadcasting, digital content, social media and/or journalism preferred.
• Academic degree or cert in Production/Digital Media/Journalism or related field, or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute live and pre-recorded newscasts, programs, and segments for multiple platforms.
• Plan, choreograph, and execute on-location and in-studio productions with a focus on quality and timing.
• Troubleshoot equipment and software; maintain studio gear and set elements.
• Edit video for telecasts, digital streams, and social media posts.
• Communicate clearly with team members across departments and locations.
• Debrief on captioning accuracy, execution, and technical issues; document learnings.

Skills

Communication

Deadline-driven

Under pressure

English fluency

Team collaboration

Willingness to learn

Teaching others

Shift flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Production/Digital Media/Journalism

Tools

Ross Overdrive

Ross Expression

OBS

vMix

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Director / Technical Director (Newscasts & Production) WKRG-TV News 5, the Nexstar CBS television affiliate in Mobile/Pensacola, seeks a Director / Technical Director to join our team. The Director is a key member of our content team (broadcast / digital / social media). This position leads the planning and execution of live and pre‑recorded newscasts, programs, and segments distributed across all platforms including broadcast, digital streaming, and social media.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare and execute regularly scheduled live newscasts, digital streams, and social media streams
• Prepare and execute regularly scheduled pre-recorded shows and segments for news, weather, sports, marketing, and sales
• Prepare and execute live and pre-recorded special projects (including segments and shows) in‑studio and on location
• Execute live breaking and continuous news and severe weather coverage with urgency, accuracy, creativity, and fluidity
• Regularly originate, ideate, choreograph, program, and execute novel showcasing elements utilizing sets, cameras, lighting, virtual reality elements, movement, graphics, video, and other production tools and assets available to enhance presentation and viewer appeal of all LIVE and pre-recorded newscasts, shows, streams, segments, and spots
• Ensure that all content produced meets company standards for production quality, accuracy, journalistic integrity, and timeliness
• Prepare, utilize, monitor, troubleshoot, and assist with the maintenance of studio equipment (i.e. cameras, microphones, IFBs, teleprompters, lights, etc.) and set elements (desks, platforms, furniture, props, etc.)
• Edit video for newscasts & television programs/segments/spots, digital distribution, and social media posts
• Communicate with clarity, calmness, and purpose with teammates in studio, at the station (in other departments), in the field, at regional and bureau locations, and in the national broadcast control hub
• Debrief and document the closed‑captioning, accuracy, execution, and technical issues that occur during all productions and communicate same to team members involved in deliverables, quality control, and the maintenance and uptime of equipment, systems, and software
• Other duties and tasks, as assigned

Experience & Education

Hands‑on experience as the director / technical‑director of live newscasts, breaking news, and severe weather coverage very strongly preferred

Experience in production, broadcasting, digital content, social media and/or journalism preferred

Academic degree or technical certification(s) in Production, Digital Media, Social Media, Film, Journalism, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and work‑related experience preferred

Required & Preferred Capabilities:

• Organized, technical problem‑solver
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, and make sound technical and editorial decisions in real‑time
• Work well under pressure --- ability to handle breaking news and last‑minute changes with aplomb
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Professional savvy and collegial demeanor when interacting with colleagues, clients, and members of the public
• Fluency in English
• Strong, candid knowledge of self & capabilities and display the willingness & ability to take action to learn, improve, and grow
• Ease with/ability to learn new technology independently and swiftly
• Ability to teach others to master and utilize technology preferred
• Able to work any shift

Technical Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of television production techniques and tools required
• Hands‑on experience with Ross Overdrive (or other automated production systems) and Ross Expression (or other broadcast graphics systems) very strongly preferred
• Hands‑on experience with Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) and vMix strongly preferred
• Computer coding experience a plus
• Superior video editing skills required
• Mastery of Adobe Premiere Pro preferred
• Working knowledge of full Adobe Creative Suite a plus
• Ability to tune in and route SNG/ENG live‑shots and other sources
• Working knowledge of media files manipulation, formatting, management, and storage

Valid driver’s license required for hire. A clean driving record is required and must be maintained to be able to safely & confidently operate company motor vehicles.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The Director / Technical Director must be able to stand, sit, reach, conduct telephone conversations, use electronic mail, write letters and memos, conduct face‑to‑face discussions with individuals or groups, make decisions without supervision, make decisions that impact the results of co‑workers, and occasionally work outdoors with various weather conditions and indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.

Must be able to lift, set up and operate equipment or items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms, including more than 310,000 hours of programming produced annually by its business units. Nexstar owns America’s largest local television broadcasting group comprised of top network affiliates, with 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 220 million people. Nexstar’s national television properties include The CW, America’s fifth major broadcast network, NewsNation, our national news network providing News for All America, popular entertainment multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including its local TV station websites, The Hill and NewsNationNow.com, are collectively a Top 10 U.S. digital news and information property. For more information, please visit nexstar.tv.

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.