News Director

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

KBMT KJAC-TV, the TEGNA-owned ABC affiliate in Beaumont, TX, is looking for a passionate news leader to oversee all aspects of our multi-platform content operation. The ideal candidate will embrace KBMT’s high standards of engaging storytelling, investigative excellence and creating relevant, compelling and impactful news content with a laser focus on breaking news, local weather and sports. The ideal candidate brings an interest and track record of growing young talent to lead staff development and recruit high potential team members.   

Beaumont is a highly competitive market, with a mix of news, sports and weather that guarantees multiple lead story options each day. The News Director will work creatively and collaboratively with KBMT/KJAC’s news and station management to ensure newscasts are both relevant to the needs of our diverse audience through owning the day’s big story, being consistent in presentation and giving our audience context plus exclusive information. 

This leader will uphold TEGNA’s values in every decision: demand the truth, work smarter, do the right thing and win. These values guide how we serve our audiences, support our teams and deliver essential journalism every day. 

This is a chance to lead a strong news team in a region where the news is 24/7! 

Responsibilities: 

· Lead all daypart teams to create unique newscasts that showcase KBMT’s high-quality content. 

· Coach a talented team of producers to execute newscasts in an exciting, captivating, and authentic manner including showcasing, storytelling, presentation, and developing new segments. 

· Coach on-air reporters to perform in an engaging manner. 

· Lead recruitment efforts for all newsroom positions, with an emphasis on building a newsroom that mirrors the audience we serve. 

· Be a key voice in the KBMT editorial process. 

· Use research and analytics to guide editorial decisions. 

· Collaborate with content leaders to ensure alignment of broadcast and digital platforms and teams. 

· Oversee planning of special events. 

· Oversee major breaking news coverage. 

· Perform other tasks as required by the Vice President of Content for the region. 

Requirements: 

· College degree in journalism, communications or related field 

· Minimum of 5-7 years of news experience preferred, including supervision and leadership of other journalists. 

· Skills in overseeing and producing engaging, urgent, high-value content-driven newscasts. 

· Strong writing, a must. Special programming experience, a plus. 

· Solid social media skills, including an active news hound strategy across platforms. 

· Experience in shooting, editing, and content management systems. 

· Understandings the tenets of professional journalism. 

· Organizational skills and the ability to keep calm under constant deadlines. 

Benefits: 

TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.

Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.

Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.

TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year. 

* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.

EEO statement:

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [email protected] 

Recruiting Fraud Alert:

To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background.  Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.  

Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.