News Director Wbtv

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 nations 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. Grays 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 Carolinasand today research shows were the most trusted source for news and information in our region. On Your Side isnt a tagline; its our mission. We fight for accountability elevate community stories and deliver lifesaving First Alert weather. Learn more at .

Job Summary/Description:

WBTV is hiring a News Director who lives for investigative reporting hardânews enterprise and peopleâcentered leadership. Youll set the editorial vision build a joyful highâperformance newsroom and make sure we win the dayon 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 trendsand 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 digitalâfirst and audienceâfirst using data to make smart fast decisions.
* Innovates with purpose experiments boldly and measures what matters.

What Youll Do:
* Set and communicate a sharp editorial vision; lead a dynamic highâperforming team that moves with urgency and purpose.
* Champion investigative and accountability journalismrecruit 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 platformspushing boundaries with smart storytelling and new tech.
* Build digitalâfirst workflows: live plans realâtime updates push alerts vertical video OTT/CTV newsletters SEO and social packaging.
* Lead bigâevent strategyelections severe weather major trials city hall community crises Panthers game days and cityâdefining momentsbalancing speed depth and impact.
* Grow audience everywhere by being researchâdriven dataâinformed and relentlessly communityâfocused 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 dayâtoâday operations with polish: budgeting scheduling compliance and meaningful performance feedback.
* Set goals and track KPIs that matter in a continuousâmeasurement world; celebrate wins and learn fast.

What You Bring:
* Proven leadership success in a competitive newsroom with a track record of winning.
* Handsâon investigative or enterprise reporting/producing background and the instincts to spot highâimpact stories.
* Digitalânative mindset: social strategy OTT/CTV mobile realâtime 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 selfâstarter and creative thinker whos comfortable taking smart risks.
* Excellent communicator and collaborator with strong editorial standards and ethical decisionâmaking.

How Well Measure Success:
* Distinct investigative coverage that earns trust and sets the market agenda.
* Marketâleading local coverage that is fast smart and genuinely localon 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 streamingmeasured shared and celebrated.

Qualifications/Requirements:

* Proven leadership success in a competitive newsroom with a track record of winning.
* Handsâon investigative or enterprise reporting/producing background and the instincts to spot highâimpact stories.
* Digitalânative mindset: social strategy OTT/CTV mobile realâtime 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 selfâstarter and creative thinker whos comfortable taking smart risks.
* Excellent communicator and collaborator with strong editorial standards and ethical decisionâmaking..
* Bachelors degree in a related field (or equivalent experience).
* Sharp understanding of where local media is headedand how to win there.
* Exceptional communication skills: written verbal presentation and interpersonal.
* Calm under pressure with expert prioritization and deadline management.
* Strategic analytical and influentialable 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 itsometimes with little notice.
* Tech-savvy with business software (MS Suite enterprise/SAP-type systems).
* Valid drivers 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 youre qualified and want to work with a great group of people go to 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 theGray-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 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 Grays employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Required Experience:

Director