News Director

TEGNA, Inc.; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Teladoc & Spring Health programs

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

TEGNA Inc. seeks a News Director for KCEN-TV in Waco, TX, to oversee ongoing 24/7 streaming and broadcast operations. You will guide editorial priorities, coach journalists, and recruit top talent to deliver engaging, enterprise reporting that serves the Central Texas community.

The role focuses on breaking news, severe weather, and investigative coverage across broadcast, digital, and streaming platforms, with a strong emphasis on analytics to drive decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years leading a newsroom or large market operation.
• Proven track record in breaking news, weather, enterprise reporting and community events.

Responsibilities

• Lead all daypart teams in a 24/7, streaming-first operation.
• Coach producers to deliver multi-platform storytelling and new segments.

Skills

News leadership

Editorial judgment

Coaching teams

Recruiting talent

Analytics / data-informed

Job description

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

KCEN-TV, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Waco, Texas is recruiting a passionate news leader to oversee all aspects of our 24/7, story-centric, streaming and broadcast operation.

The ideal candidate will uphold KCEN-TV's high standards for engaging storytelling, investigative excellence, and journalism that is relevant, compelling and impactful—with a sharp focus on breaking news, severe weather, politics, sports, showcasing what makes Central Texas one-of-a-kind and celebrating its rich history. This leader has a proven track record of developing talent, coaching teams and recruiting high-potential journalists.

The News Director will collaborate closely with KCEN-TV news and station leadership to ensure content that is highly relevant to the Temple and Waco community. This includes driving daily editorial priorities, ensuring consistent execution across platforms and delivering context, enterprise reporting and exclusive content that helps audiences understand what matters and why. The winning candidate will be audience-obsessed, with experience using real-time analytics to guide editorial priorities.

This leader will model TEGNA's values in every decision—demand the truth, work smarter, do the right thing and win—guiding how we serve our audiences, support our teams and deliver essential journalism every day.

Responsibilities

• Lead all daypart teams in this 24/7, streaming-first operation that showcases KCEN-TV high-quality content.
• Coach a talented team of producers to execute multi-platform programming in an exciting, captivating and authentic manner, including showcasing storytelling, presentation and developing new segments.
• Coach on-air reporters to perform in an engaging manner across broadcast, digital and social platforms.
• Lead recruitment efforts for all newsroom positions with emphasis on building a newsroom filled with A+ talent.
• Be a key voice in the KCEN-TV editorial process, guiding coverage focus and newsroom priorities.
• Use research and analytics to guide editorial decisions and measure performance.
• Collaborate with content leaders to ensure alignment of linear, streaming and digital platforms.
• Oversee planning and coverage of special events and key community initiatives.
• Direct major breaking news coverage promptly and effectively.
• Perform other tasks as required by the Vice President of Content for the region.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6+ years of newsroom leadership experience, including experience as a News Director or medium/ large market Assistant News Director
• Proven success leading multi-platform news operations with deep experience in breaking news, severe weather coverage, enterprise reporting and major community events.
• Strong editorial judgment and storytelling instincts with the ability to set daily coverage priorities and guide high-stakes decision-making under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, coach and develop producers, reporters and on-air talent to deliver compelling, engaging content across broadcast, digital, streaming and social platforms.
• Experience recruiting, building and retaining high-performing newsroom teams that reflect the communities served.
• Data-informed approach to journalism with experience using research, audience analytics and performance metrics to guide editorial strategy and measure impact.
• Deep understanding of professional journalism standards, ethics and accountability with a commitment to accuracy, fairness and transparency.
• Exceptional organizational, leadership and communication skills with the ability to manage complexity, align teams and remain calm in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with the Central Texas area, or a reason to relocate here, a plus.

• TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families.
• TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
• Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
• Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
• TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
• * Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.

EEO statement:

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We areproud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilitiesin accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [e-mail]