Assistant News Director

FOX4, the Nexstar station in Kansas City, MO, is looking for an experienced Assistant News Director to join our winning team. Kansas City is the 34th TV Market, serving more than 2M viewers. WDAF-TV is the legacy station in the market and #1 in the target demo in all newscasts.

The qualified candidate will play a pivotal role in our mission to inform and engage our audience. The Assistant News Director will collaborate closely with the News Director to oversee all aspects of newscasts, weather, digital and sports.

The Assistant News Director is a key leadership role in the newsroom, supporting the News Director in managing daily news operations, strategic planning, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality news content. This role is critical for maintaining the station's competitive edge and ensuring journalistic integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

Editorial Leadership

• Assist in setting the editorial direction and tone for all news content

• Oversee daily news gathering and production process

• Ensure content is accurate, fair and follows station standards and guidelines

Staff Management

• Support recruitment, training, and development of newsroom staff

• Provide feedback, conduct performance reviews, and foster a collaborative team environment

• Coordinate with producers, reporters, and other news staff to optimize workflow and efficiency

• Ensure appropriate staffing based on programming and newscast needs, managing and monitoring PTO

Strategic Planning

• Assist in developing and implementing strategies to grow viewership and market share

• Stay in tune with industry trends and emerging technologies to help the newsroom innovate

• Help create special programming and coverage plans for major events

Content Quality Assurance

• Review scripts, segments, and overall newscasts for quality control

• Ensure compliance with FCC regulations and other legal standards

• Maintain high standards for visual and audio quality

Crisis Management

• Assist in coordinating coverage of breaking news and emergency situations

• Ensure the newsroom is prepared for coverage of major stories, including natural disasters and political events

• Maintain calm and decisive leadership during high-pressure situations

• Address viewer feedback and concerns promptly and effectively. Elevate to News Director and General Manager as appropriate.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• At least five years in a newsroom environment, with a proven track record and a minimum of two years in leadership

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field

• Proficiency with newsroom software, digital platforms, and social media

• Strong leadership and team-building skills; ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to articulate vision and strategy clearly

• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously