News Director

Job Description

Description

 

The News Director leads the newsroom’s editorial vision and manages daily operations across broadcast and digital platforms. This role provides editorial guidance, supports professional development, and ensures the highest standards of ethical, journalistic, and technical quality. The News Director plays a key leadership role in coverage planning, content distribution, and collaboration with internal teams and statewide media partners.

  

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership & Coaching

• Coach and mentor journalists, fostering professional growth and development.  
• Edit radio and web stories daily, ensuring consistency, clarity, accuracy, and adherence to ethical and technical standards.  
• Provide constructive, timely feedback with an emphasis on “writing for the ear,” conversational tone, and strong live-read performance for radio copy.  
• Develop, maintain, and execute coverage plans for developing and breaking news.  
• Lead special reporting projects and series from conception through execution with a collaborative, team-centered approach.  
• Oversee the editorial focus of the newsroom in partnership with news and content teams, demonstrating curiosity and respect for diverse story opportunities across south-central Pennsylvania.  

Content Production & Distribution

• Participate in rotating production shifts, including evenings and weekends.  
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and Creative Director to execute a multi-platform content distribution strategy (broadcast, digital, podcast, social).  
• Support reporters in pitching and producing stories for regional and national outlets; maintain relationships with relevant editors and producers.  

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Coordinate strategy with statewide public media partners.  
• Collaborate with nonprofit news partners such as SpotlightPA, VoteBeat, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, and others.  

Community Engagement & Organizational Support

• Attend major station events and participate in on-air membership drives.  
• Support grant writing and reporting as needed.  
• Represent the news team at board meetings and deliver presentations when required.  
• Serve as a substitute anchor for Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  
• Manage freelancers and interns.  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Job Requirements

Requirements

 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of team management and editorial experience.  
• Minimum of two years of audio news production and reporting experience.  
• Strong leadership, management, training, and collaboration skills.  
• At least five years of newsroom experience, with proven newsgathering skills and deep knowledge of journalism ethics and practices.  
• Excellent time-management abilities.  
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaboration across diverse backgrounds.  

Preferred Qualification 

• Strong understanding of the mission and purpose of public broadcasting.  
• On-air radio experience, ideally in public media.  
• Spanish language proficiency.  
• Knowledge of Central Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania government.  
• Experience with cross-organization content collaboration.  
• Ability to use metrics and analytics in editorial decision-making.

 

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