Executive Reporter, WKBW

WKBW-TV; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical, dental and vision

Retirement savings plan with company 4

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

WKBW-TV in Buffalo, NY seeks an Executive Reporter to lead our newsroom into the future as a newsroom coach, content strategist, and trusted editorial voice across platforms. You’ll collaborate with leadership to shape content that matters to Western New York and mentor reporters to elevate their work with your own impactful journalism.

The ideal candidate combines passion for local journalism with enterprise reporting, and will champion innovative storytelling that strengthens our connection

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Journalism, Communications, or related discipline preferred, or equivalent years of experience.
• Generally, 7+ years of experience in journalism, reporting, or newsroom leadership preferred.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, or leading journalists in a fast-paced newsroom environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop reporters and multimedia journalists, helping them grow as storytellers across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms.
• Partner with newsroom leadership to execute a content strategy focused on audience needs, community impact, and meaningful journalism.
• Coach reporters on story development, enterprise reporting, writing, presentation, and newsroom best practices.
• Review stories and provide actionable feedback to improve content quality, storytelling, and audience engagement.
• Help identify and develop high-impact enterprise, investigative, and community-focused stories.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Serve as a trusted editorial leader, ensuring content meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy, and fairness.
• Work closely with producers, assignment editors, digital teams, and newsroom leaders to maximize the reach and impact of content.
• Build confidence and trust among reporters, photographers, producers, and other newsroom staff.
• Provide on-air and multi-platform coverage of significant stories, breaking news, and special projects as needed.
• May pitch, shoot, write, edit, and produce content across platforms.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Storytelling

Content Strategy

Mentoring

Education

BS/BA in Journalism, Communications, or related discipline

Job description

WKBW, the ABC affiliate in Buffalo, New York, owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, is searching for an Executive Reporter to help lead our newsroom into the future.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished journalist who excels at both storytelling and leadership. As Executive Reporter, you'll be a newsroom coach, content strategist, and trusted editorial voice, helping reporters and multimedia journalists elevate their work while contributing your own impactful journalism across platforms. You'll collaborate with newsroom leaders to shape content that matters to Western New York, develop journalists at every stage of their careers, and champion innovative storytelling that strengthens our connection with audiences.

The ideal candidate is passionate about local journalism, believes in the power of enterprise reporting, and is energized by helping others do their best work. You'll play a critical role in advancing WKBW's mission of serving our community with authentic, meaningful, and impactful storytelling.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead, mentor, and develop reporters and multimedia journalists, helping them grow as storytellers across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms.


• Partner with newsroom leadership to execute a content strategy focused on audience needs, community impact, and meaningful journalism.


• Coach reporters on story development, enterprise reporting, writing, presentation, and newsroom best practices.


• Review stories and provide actionable feedback to improve content quality, storytelling, and audience engagement.


• Help identify and develop high-impact enterprise, investigative, and community-focused stories.


• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.


• Serve as a trusted editorial leader, ensuring content meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy, and fairness.


• Work closely with producers, assignment editors, digital teams, and newsroom leaders to maximize the reach and impact of content.


• Build confidence and trust among reporters, photographers, producers, and other newsroom staff.


• Provide on-air and multi-platform coverage of significant stories, breaking news, and special projects as needed.


• May pitch, shoot, write, edit, and produce content across platforms.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• BS/BA in Journalism, Communications, or a related discipline preferred, or equivalent years of experience.


• Generally, 7+ years of experience in journalism, reporting, or newsroom leadership preferred.


• Experience coaching, mentoring, or leading journalists in a fast-paced newsroom environment preferred.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• A proven track record of impactful storytelling and enterprise reporting.


• Strong news judgment and a deep understanding of journalistic ethics, media law, and newsroom standards.


• Passion for coaching and developing journalists.


• A commitment to audience-first journalism and serving the needs of the Buffalo and Western New York community.


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and influence without direct authority.


• Experience creating content for multiple platforms, including broadcast, digital, social, and streaming.


• Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.


• Curiosity, creativity, and a drive to continuously improve storytelling and newsroom performance.


• Ability to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, early mornings, and holidays.

WHERE YOU'LL LIVE, WORK AND PLAY: Buffalo is a city on the rise, combining big-city amenities with a strong sense of community and affordability that's hard to find elsewhere. Nestled along the shores of Lake Erie and just minutes from Niagara Falls, Western New York offers stunning outdoor recreation, vibrant neighborhoods, passionate sports fans, and a growing food and arts scene. Whether you're exploring the city's waterfront, enjoying world-class architecture, catching a Bills or Sabres game, or spending a weekend in the Finger Lakes, Buffalo offers an exceptional quality of life.

At WKBW, you'll join a newsroom with a long tradition of impactful journalism and community service. We are committed to producing meaningful stories that matter to the people of Western New York while embracing innovation across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms. If you're passionate about local journalism and helping shape the future of storytelling, Buffalo is a great place to build your career and make a difference.

COMPENSATION RANGE

Annual Salary: $85,000.00 - $120,000

Pursuant to state and local salary transparency laws, the salary range posted is specific to candidates who will perform this work in New York.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• A career path to grow your professional experiences


• Full medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as certain other health and wellness benefits


• Retirement savings plan with company match


• Other key company benefits include disability accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, life insurance, AD&D, ID protection, pet discount program, and employee assistance program. More details about timing and conditions of benefits eligibility and other plan terms and conditions will be provided upon hire.

SCRIPPS’ COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE THAT CREATES CONNECTION

AtScripps, we are committed to a culture that reflects the audiences and communities we serve.We are intentional about creating anenvironmentwhereemployees, our audiences and other stakeholders feel valued and inspiredto reach their full potential and create connections. To successfully deliver on this commitment, we must understand and reflect the values and perspectives those around us embody. That process begins by looking inward to build and celebrate a respectful workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection. By continuing to cultivate an environment where all employees have a fair chance to succeed, are included, valued, and seen, we will strengthen the connections that drive positive business impact and align with our core purpose.

ABOUT SCRIPPS

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating connection. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlet Scripps News and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and its longtime motto is: \"Give light and the people will find their own way.\"

As an equal employment opportunity employer, The E.W. Scripps Company and its affiliates do not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law. Furthermore, the company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the company.