News Director

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association; Eau Claire (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Gray Media's WEAU in Eau Claire seeks a dynamic News Director to lead our award-winning team. The role focuses on transforming content strategy, expanding digital and social media output, and strengthening editorial judgment across local news.

You will guide enterprise reporting and foster a culture of storytelling while coordinating with marketing, operations, and local partners. Ideal candidates bring newsroom leadership, a track record in content development, and strong collaboration skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or related field.
• 2 years of newsroom leadership experience required.
• 5 years of digital and broadcast news content development experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the News Department.
• Work with the news team to produce high-quality, local digital/broadcast news content.
• Prioritize collaboration with Marketing and Operations.
• Recruit, coach, and develop talent.
• Maintain connections with corporate recruiting and local colleges/universities.
• Communicate often and provide constructive feedback.
• Analyze research and ratings data to inform content, coverage, distribution.
• Lead with social media and digital tools for research and distribution.
• Foster a culture of enterprise reporting, storytelling, and nimbleness during breaking news.
• Interact daily with department heads to achieve station goals and extend the brand.
• Be a motivator who creates an engaging environment.
• Manage all aspects of content operations including financial, technical, and human resources.
• Perform other duties to fulfill the mission and values.

Skills

Newsroom leadership

Editorial decision-making

Digital and social media content

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or related field

Job description

WEAU, a Gray Media-owned station in Eau Claire, WI, is seeking a dynamic and experienced News Director to lead our award-winning team. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of newsroom leadership, including the development of effective processes and protocols that drive employee growth, enhance both digital and broadcast content, and support sound editorial decision‑making. Our next News Director will be transformational—increasing digital and social media content, embracing investigative journalism, and celebrating creative storytelling.

Position Overview

• Manage and oversee the News Department.
• Work closely with the news team to produce high-quality, relevant, local digital/broadcast news content that sets the station apart from competitors.
• Prioritize collaboration of the News Department with Marketing and Operations
• Consistently recruit, coach, and develop talent
• Maintain a strong connection with corporate recruiting team while also developing your own local connections with local and regional colleges/universities
• Communicate often and have a passion for providing consistent, constructive feedback
• Strong analytical skills, capable of processing research and ratings data to inform and refine content, coverage, and distribution strategies
• Skillfully use social media and digital tools to research, discover, and distribute content
• Lead a culture that owns enterprise reporting, embodies storytelling and is nimble during breaking news
• Interact daily with all department heads in a mutual effort to achieve station goals, extend our brand, develop long-range plans, and station initiatives
• Be a motivator who creates an inspiring and engaging environment
• This role requires exceptional news judgment, strategic planning skills, and the ability to manage all aspects of content operations, including financial, technical, and human resources
• Perform other duties, as assigned, to drive and fulfill the mission while abiding by the values of this organization

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or related field.
• 2 years of previous experience in newsroom leadership is required.
• 5 years of previous experience in digital and broadcast news content development.

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics, and complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Gray Media prohibits harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.