Newscast Director

Nexstar Media; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Nexstar Media's DC News Now is seeking a Director with extensive OverDrive experience to lead live newscasts and other productions in a fast-paced newsroom.

The role is hands-on, demanding precision, leadership, and the ability to adapt to breaking news while collaborating with producers, engineers, and editorial staff to maintain high production standards. Experience with Ross OverDrive, ENPS, and related production tools is required, with a track record of strong on-air direction.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a Director in live news.
• Expert-level proficiency with Ross OverDrive automation.
• Strong communication and leadership in a newsroom.

Responsibilities

• Direct live and recorded newscasts using Ross OverDrive, ensuring seamless execution of rundowns.
• Code, organize and execute newscasts and specials using ENPS based rundowns.
• Build and customize OverDrive coding for news productions, enhancing automation efficiency.
• Collaborate with news, production, and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues.
• Call and punch live broadcasts, special coverage, and breaking news with high production standards.
• Lead pre-production including coding, shot blocking, automation setup, and equipment checks.
• Ensure clean transitions between segments, graphics, and live elements through production automation.
• Elevate production value by improving camera composition and workflow integrations.
• Adapt to last-minute changes and breaking news with quick, decisive actions.

Skills

Advanced camera shot framing

News directing

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Pressure under deadline

Tools

Ross OverDrive

ENPS

Ross XPression

OBS

TVU

Chyron

Job description

DC News Now, a rapidly expanding Nexstar station in the Washington, D.C. market, is seeking a Director with extensive OverDrive experience to lead live newscasts and other productions. This is a hands‑on technical role requiring precision, leadership, and adaptability in a fast‑paced newsroom environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct live and recorded newscasts using Ross OverDrive, ensuring seamless execution of rundowns.
• Code, organize and execute newscasts and specials using ENPS based rundowns.
• Build and customize OverDrive coding for news productions, working closely with producers and technical staff to enhance automation efficiency.
• Collaborate with news, production, and engineering teams to ensure smooth operations and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Call and punch live broadcasts, special coverage, and breaking news while maintaining high production standards.
• Lead pre‑production efforts, including coding, shot blocking, automation setup, and equipment checks.
• Ensure clean transitions between segments, graphics, and live elements by effectively managing production automation programs.
• Elevate production value by enhancing camera shot composition, OverDrive operations and workflow integrations.
• Adapt to last‑minute changes and breaking news, making quick decisions under pressure.
• General knowledge of studio lighting, Streamdeck, OBS, TVU, Optic, Chyron, Bit‑Central, and Cue‑Script a plus

Qualifications:

• Advanced camera shot framing and composition skills.
• 5+ years of experience as a Director in a live news environment, preferably at a major‑market station.
• Expert‑level proficiency with Ross OverDrive automation and strong ability to build, edit, and refine show coding.
• Experience with Ross XPression graphics, and other production switchers is a plus.
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills and the ability to work with engineering teams to resolve production issues.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities, with a proven track record of working effectively in a collaborative newsroom environment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as news coverage demands.

We value the contribution of our employees and recognize their efforts by offering a competitive compensation plan $26–$31 hourly. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), and more.