News Director - Digital-First Leader, Rockford

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Nexstar Broadcasting in Rockford, IL seeks a News Director to lead the News Department, including broadcast, digital, weather, and sports content across platforms.

You will set daily coverage strategy, manage staffing and budgets, advance a digital-first approach to grow audiences, and collaborate with station leadership to meet company goals. This on-site role emphasizes leadership and storytelling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism or related field.
• Fluency in English with excellent written and verbal communication.
• Minimum five years' experience in news programming production, with at least two years in a leadership role.
• Experience guiding and mentoring staff and managing performance.
• Experience with budgeting and departmental planning.

Responsibilities

• Leads, motivates, and develops the News Department across broadcast, digital, social media, website, and streaming platforms.
• Provides strategic direction for daily news coverage, breaking news, investigative reporting, and major events across all channels.
• Drives a digital-first content strategy focused on audience growth and engagement.
• Reviews and critiques newscasts and digital content to improve quality and storytelling.
• Plans and manages staffing, training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Makes hiring, promotion, and termination decisions.
• Ensures deadlines and strategic objectives are met; assigns projects accordingly.
• Collaborates with station leadership to achieve company goals and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

English fluency

Budget management

Deadline orientation

Coaching / mentoring

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism

Job description

Nexstar Broadcasting in Rockford, IL seeks a News Director to lead the News Department, including broadcast, digital, weather, and sports content across platforms.

You will set daily coverage strategy, manage staffing and budgets, advance a digital-first approach to grow audiences, and collaborate with station leadership to meet company goals. This on-site role emphasizes leadership and storytelling.