News Director WMUK

Leads local news coverage across all platforms for WMUK-FM. Directs and coordinates all activities of the news department.

• Serves as primary news editor. Ensures all news content is accurate, ethical, engaging, and in line with the highest standards of professional journalism.
• Develops and oversees the implementation of the editorial focus, process, and design. Works with leadership and other news staff to set strategic priorities and goals for WMUK's news operation.
• Leads daily news and content staff meetings to generate plans for daily short and long form coverage on all platforms. Establishes WMUK's news plans and priorities. Assigns reporting, coverage, and producing tasks. Performs occasional host fill-in work on-air and online.
• Originates and approves news story ideas and projects. Creates plans for coverage crises and breaking news, working with other station departments as needed.
• Manages news internship program in concert with the University’s school of communication.
• Works with leadership to create a news department budget. Manages budget throughout the year.
• Gathers, reports, generates, and contributes news and public affairs content as time allows. Works with the news team and regional National Public Radio editors to consistently participate in nationalizing a local story.
• Works with leadership and other staff to solicit and reflect community input on news coverage priorities. Participates in on-air fundraising and assists with grant writing and reporting as needed.
• Represents the news division and station as required at board meetings and station-sponsored events outside of station, including candidate forums and tables at fairs and festivals.
• Hires, trains, evaluates and supervises staff, student employees, and freelance writers.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

• Three years' relevant experience.
• Supervisory or lead experience.
• Strong broadcasting newswriting skills.
• Familiarity with AP style.
• Working experience with editorial functions in a broadcasting organization.
• Experience in news management or an equivalent expertise.
• Experience with radio hosting.
• Experience with digital audio editing, both single and multi-track.
• Knowledge of FCC laws relating to the delivery of news and public affairs content.

• Ability to travel for on-location reporting and to work on outdoor assignments.

• Master's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2024-04-16