News Director

Job Description

The News Director leads all aspects of WUOT’s newsroom operations, ensuring the production of high-quality, accurate, and engaging journalism across broadcast, digital, and social media platforms. This position oversees newsroom strategy, manages staff and resources, and represents the station in the community and with external partners. The News Director is responsible for shaping the editorial vision, maintaining journalistic standards, and advancing WUOT’s mission to serve the public interest.

In addition, the News Director works closely with student interns, providing mentorship, guidance, and hands-on experience to help train the next generation of journalists while integrating them into the newsroom’s workflow and professional standards.

This position must have deep knowledge of and commitment to the tenets and ethics of journalism and the role of journalism in society; know how to create innovative content on all platforms; have an understanding and commitment to community engagement.

 

Job Requirements

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the station’s editorial vision, strategy, policies, and priorities.

• Ensure journalistic independence, ethical reporting, and compliance with editorial standards.

• Participate in station leadership meetings and collaborate on cross-departmental strategy.

• Recruit, mentor, and develop both emerging and experienced journalism talent, including student interns.

• Manage newsroom budgets, staffing, freelance contracts, and resources.

• Provide coaching, training, and growth opportunities for staff and interns.

• Develop strategies for implementing journalism that reaches diverse audiences and integrates new viewpoints.

• Seek out and lead news collaboration efforts with other stations, student media organizations, and other non-profit organizations.

• Direct and lead overall efforts of the News Department and ensure that content is consistent with the station’s mission, goals, and journalistic standards.

• Responsible and accountable for the overall quality and performance of the station's news content.

• Direct daily news coverage and lead planning for major news events including elections, legislative sessions, or breaking stories.

• Assign stories, set deadlines, and review content to maintain accuracy, objectivity, and depth.

• Develop Newsroom staff by coaching, training, and providing growth opportunities.

• Review and edit scripts, story outlines, and finished news content, assuring reporters/editors include multiple perspectives while maintaining accuracy, objectivity, and adherence to WUOT’s journalistic standards.

• Understand and incorporate deep knowledge of the area's community neighborhoods, issues, and other special characteristics to direct coverage and story selection.

• Collaborate with digital teams to maximize audience engagement and online reach.

• Lead news partnerships and collaborations with other stations, student media, and nonprofit organizations.

• Represent the station in the community and with external partners.

• Participate in on-air fundraising and community events as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field.

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in news management.

• 10+ years of related experience considered in lieu of bachelor’s degree.

• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising newsroom staff and managing editorial operations.

• Strong knowledge of public media, broadcast journalism, and digital news platforms.

• Ability to be passionate, resilient, goal-focused, and to think critically.

• Ability to build relationships, effectively communicate, build rapport, and relate well to a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Excellent writing and communication skills, and proven ability to collaborate with internal and external contacts and to consistently work well with a wide range of skilled and creative people.

• Ability to creatively solve problems and be a self-starter with sound judgment.

• Ability to complete multiple tasks by assigned deadlines.

• Ability to learn new systems and procedures quickly.

• Ability to be a strong team player committed to working with department and station colleagues to achieve collective goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for and experience with public broadcasting.

• Knowledge of Knoxville and East Tennessee - the people, music, cultures, issues, and geography.

• Knowledge of FCC guidelines and requirements.

• Experience mentoring or training students or early-career journalists is strongly preferred.

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