Vice President, News Director - KFSN

KFSN, the Disney/ABC Owned Station in Fresno is seeking a Vice President – News Director to lead our multiplatform content team. The VP - News Director is responsible for the news product across all platforms for the station as well as managing strategies and teams to develop content that connects with the community in a way that drives audience and revenue growth. The successful candidate will have a high degree of ethics, empathy, professionalism, function well under pressure, and have strong multiplatform and multi-tasking skills. 

This leader will work closely with the President and General Manager on the development of a clear vision for the future of our local business and will be effective in communicating, motivating, and inspiring their team in executing that vision via hands-on leadership, optimism, strategic risk-taking and focused metrics of success. 

The VP – News Director will work with key leaders across ABC OTV and ABC News to drive collective growth, success, and synergy.

Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day operations of the number one newsroom in the Fresno DMA. The Action News team includes a diverse team of talent across various roles including anchors, reporters, producers, photographers, assignment editors and others.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a strong team that is reflective of the Central California community, including on-air talent. Provide guidance and coaching to maximize their performance and accelerate their professional growth.
• Lead, execute and maintain a content strategy that attracts and maintains loyal news audience that has made ABC30 the top-rated news operation in the Fresno DMA.
• Grow and develop streaming strategies to grow station digital platforms, including abc30.com, the ABC30 Central California Apps and the ABC30 24/7 Stream.
• Directs and manages the overall newsroom operations to drive "ethical results" (meet or exceed KPIs) including established goals/objectives to help drive ratings, audience, video, and market share.
• Continue to identify more effective and efficient approaches to operations and processes throughout the newsroom.
• Partner with Marketing Department to help execute content strategy; including ideation and production of promotions, station specials, community events, and legacy partnerships.
• Partner with Disney Advertising Sales in the ideation and development of content that generates revenue for the station, while staying mindful of ethical and journalistic values.
• Partner with technology team to ideate and develop plans for future station equipment, hardware and infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community leaders as a key member of the stations’ leadership team.
• Execute all corporate policies/objectives while maintaining the highest level of ethics and industry standards.
• Establish and maintain an innovative and highly collaborative culture atmosphere that promotes innovation, open communication, kindness and excellence.
• Create a diverse, collaborative, fun and stimulating work environment.
• Collaborate with other parts of OTV and TWDC to advance the group’s interests and leverage assets.

Basic Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven leadership experience within a newsroom at a medium or large DMA local broadcast station or other news organization.
• A participative leadership approach that fosters collaboration and innovation
• Ability to recognize, create and communicate priorities, strategies as well as market opportunities and challenges to drive growth and performance improvement.
• Solid news judgment with respect for the highest ethical standards

• Attention to detail, project management skills, and the ability to effectively lead and manage in a dynamic and challenging environment.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours, late nights and weekends as required
• Understanding of FCC rules and regulations.
• Experience working with unions and contract negotiations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of marketing and audience development in a multi-platform environment.
• Knowledge of the Fresno television market.
• Experience managing budgeting processes and strategic planning.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication or related field or relevant equivalent experience.