Description

About Gray Media:

Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's 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 WBTV:

WBTV was the first television station to sign on in the Carolinas-and today research shows we're the most trusted source for news and information in our region. "On Your Side" isn't a tagline; it's our mission. We fight for accountability, elevate community stories, and deliver lifesaving First Alert weather. Learn more at www.wbtv.com.

Since 1954, we've delivered trusted local news and weather, powered community service and disaster relief, and produced more local news than anyone else in the market.

Heartland News on KFVS12 is recognized for award-winning journalism, including Missouri and Illinois Broadcasters' awards and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Job Summary/Description:

WBTV is hiring a News Director who lives for investigative reporting, hard‑news enterprise, and people‑centered leadership. You'll set the editorial vision, build a joyful, high‑performance newsroom, and make sure we win the day-on air, on mobile, on social, on streaming, on every screen.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

You are a proven leader who:
* Chases truth, not trends-and knows how to turn tips and documents into impact journalism.
* Coaches with a heart set clear standards and care deeply about the people who produce the work.
* Thinks digital‑first and audience‑first, using data to make smart, fast decisions.
* Innovates with purpose, experiments boldly, and measures what matters.

What You'll Do:
* Set and communicate a sharp editorial vision; lead a dynamic, high‑performing team that moves with urgency and purpose.
* Champion investigative and accountability journalism-recruit, develop, and coach reporters, producers, and photojournalists to deliver distinctive enterprise that makes a difference.
* Own our First Alert brand and culture; elevate breaking, enterprise, and explainers on every platform.
* Drive coverage across broadcast, digital, social, streaming, and emerging platforms-pushing boundaries with smart storytelling and new tech.
* Build digital‑first workflows: live plans, real‑time updates, push alerts, vertical video, OTT/CTV, newsletters, SEO, and social packaging.
* Lead big‑event strategy-elections, severe weather, major trials, city hall, community crises, Panthers game days and city‑defining moments-balancing speed, depth, and impact.
* Grow audience everywhere by being research‑driven, data‑informed, and relentlessly community‑focused in a fiercely competitive market.
* Plan ahead for investigations, special projects, and staffing to meet evolving audience needs.
* Lead with strong editorial judgment, clear standards, and a culture of accountability, creativity, inclusion, and promotion.
* Collaborate across departments, media partners, and community leaders to amplify impact and build trust.
* Manage day‑to‑day operations with polish: budgeting, scheduling, compliance, and meaningful performance feedback.
* Set goals and track KPIs that matter in a continuous‑measurement world; celebrate wins and learn fast.

What You Bring:
* Proven leadership success in a competitive newsroom with a track record of winning.
* Hands‑on investigative or enterprise reporting/producing background, and the instincts to spot high‑impact stories.
* Digital‑native mindset: social strategy, OTT/CTV, mobile, real‑time publishing, analytics, and audience growth.
* Talent magnet and developer: recruit great people, coach them up, and build a culture of excellence and promotion.
* Strong knowledge of the issues that matter to Charlotte and North Carolina.
* Motivated self‑starter and creative thinker who's comfortable taking smart risks.
* Excellent communicator and collaborator with strong editorial standards and ethical decision‑making.

How We'll Measure Success:
* Distinct, investigative coverage that earns trust and sets the market agenda.
* Market‑leading local coverage that is fast, smart, and genuinely local-on air and across all digital platforms.
* Clear digital acceleration: faster publishing, smarter packaging, stronger engagement.
* A newsroom culture that is bold, inclusive, curious, supportive, and always raising the bar.
* Audience growth across linear, digital, social, and streaming-measured, shared, and celebrated.

Qualifications/Requirements:

* Proven leadership success in a competitive newsroom with a track record of winning.
* Hands‑on investigative or enterprise reporting/producing background and the instincts to spot high‑impact stories.
* Digital‑native mindset: social strategy, OTT/CTV, mobile, real‑time publishing, analytics, and audience growth.
* Talent magnet and developer: recruit great people, coach them up, and build a culture of excellence and promotion.
* Strong knowledge of the issues that matter to Charlotte and North Carolina.
* Motivated self‑starter and creative thinker who's comfortable taking smart risks.
* Excellent communicator and collaborator with strong editorial standards and ethical decision‑making..
* Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent experience).
* Sharp understanding of where local media is headed-and how to win there.
* Exceptional communication skills: written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal.
* Calm under pressure with expert prioritization and deadline management.
* Strategic, analytical, and influential-able to align teams and execute.
* Proven leadership: emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, coaching, and inspiration.
* Fierce negotiator and relationship builder.
* Talent magnet: identify, hire, and retain high performers.
* Community-minded with the presence and passion to lead locally.
* Working knowledge of employment law compliance and financial reporting.
* Comfortable navigating change and leading others through it-sometimes with little notice.
* Tech-savvy with business software (MS Suite, enterprise/SAP-type systems).
* Valid driver's license (or ability to obtain). Driving record should have no major convictions and no more than one minor conviction or at-fault accident in the past 3 years.

If you feel you're qualified and want to work with a great group of people, go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now", upload your resume, cover letter, and references

(Current employees who are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro self-service portal)

WBTV-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.