NEWS PRODUCER (ASSO) - WDBJ

Gray Local Media, Inc; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

WDBJ-TV/Gray Media is seeking a producer to lead and manage daily newscasts, coordinating story selection, writing, and production. You will organize assignments, edit video, and collaborate with teams to deliver engaging local news.

The role requires 1-3 years in broadcast production, strong writing and communication skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining ethical standards.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of producing experience in broadcast news with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Clear, concise, and conversational writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrate solid news judgment.
• Maintain strong journalistic ethics.
• Strong initiative and attention to details.
• Be creative and create compelling and memorable newscasts.
• Knowledge of newsroom software and of web posting software.
• Edit video and audio on industry-standard equipment.
• Build graphics and use them effectively in shows.
• Handle and adjust to last-minute changes.
• Make quick, accurate decisions and work well under pressure.
• Strong research skills, including online research using various search engines.
• Ability to stay current with national and local news/weather.
• Intermediate level knowledge of social media.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Demonstrate leadership through training and mentoring less experienced staff members; guide others to get the desired outcome.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize, organize, and produce newscasts.
• Maintain working knowledge of current events, community issues, and local contacts.
• Search wire services, network feeds, websites, and other sources to find relevant material for newscasts.
• Work with news management to determine which stories to air during newscasts.
• Coordinate story assignments with news management.
• Collaborate with operations staff to build graphics.
• Act as leader in facilitating teamwork of staff members.
• Accurately edit video with an eye for visual elements that make stories understandable to the viewer.
• Work with directors and anchors on presentation of stories.
• Write news stories.
• Monitor competition’s shows and website for missed leads.
• Assist producers in formatting other newscasts.
• Assist reporters on story development, story expectations, and accurately gathering information under pressure.
• Write creative headlines and teases.
• Research and brainstorm story ideas, present ideas in editorial meetings.
• Generate promotable story ideas daily.
• Post and update stories and video to station website and social media sites, engage viewers.
• Work with the web staff during breaking news and alert users on all platforms.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

News writing

Broadcast production

Communication skills

News judgment

Leadership

Deadline pressure

Video editing

Graphics building

Social media

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field

Tools

Newsroom software

Web posting software

Job description

About Gray Media

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 46 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About WDBJ

WDBJ7, WZBJ24 and WDBJ7.com are a Gray-owned dominant CBS-affiliated media powerhouse in beautiful Roanoke, Virginia. Known as “Your Hometown Station®”, WDBJ7 and WZBJ24 serve 26 counties across the Blue Ridge Mountain region and produce more than 55 hours of award-winning local news coverage, more than any of its competitors in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market.

For 70 years, WDBJ7 has been the number one station of choice for viewers from Roanoke to Lynchburg and across the New River Valley.

Job Summary/Description

A producer is one of the most crucial positions at a television station. The position requires someone who is a strong leader, an excellent communicator, organized, and passionate about the news.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prioritize, organize, and produce newscasts
• Maintain working knowledge of current events, community issues, and local contacts
• Search wire services, network feeds, websites, and other sources to find relevant material for newscasts
• Work with news management to determine which stories to air during newscasts
• Coordinate story assignments with news management
• Collaborate with operations staff to build graphics
• Act as leader in facilitating teamwork of staff members
• Accurately edit video with an eye for visual elements that make stories understandable to the viewer
• Work with directors and anchors on presentation of stories
• Write news stories
• Monitor competition’s shows and website for missed leads
• Assist producers in formatting other newscasts
• Assist reporters on story development, story expectations, and accurately gathering information under pressure
• Write creative headlines and teases
• Research and brainstorm story ideas, present ideas in editorial meetings
• Generate promotable story ideas daily
• Post and update stories and video to station website and social media sites, engage viewers
• Work with the web staff during breaking news and alert users on all platforms
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements

• 1-3 years of producing experience in broadcast news with a Bachelor’s degree
• Clear, concise, and conversational writing skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrate solid news judgment
• Maintain strong journalistic ethics
• Strong initiative and attention to details
• Be creative and create compelling and memorable newscasts
• Knowledge of newsroom software and of web posting software
• Edit video and audio on industry-standard equipment
• Build graphics and use them effectively in shows
• Handle and adjust to last-minute changes
• Make quick, accurate decisions and work well under pressure
• Strong research skills, including online research using various search engines
• Ability to stay current with national and local news/weather
• Intermediate level knowledge of social media
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure
• Ability to work independently with little supervision
• Demonstrate leadership through training and mentoring less experienced staff members; guide others to get the desired outcome
• Ability to remain positive and foster a positive work environment; work well with co-workers

WDBJ-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Additional Info

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.