WBEV News Director

WBEV News Director

(Beaver Dam, WI)

Dodge County’s Award-Winning News/Talk Brand WBEV is looking for a dynamic individual to lead our news team. The successful candidate should have a passion for original reporting and be able to demonstrate how they can create news content with a digital first mindset. They should be an effective leader and mentor who will hold our newsroom to elite journalistic standards. Fans continue to look to WBEV as a resource of information and enlightenment. Can you help us write the next chapter in this station’s history?

GKB is a media and marketing company with expertise in leveraging the power of national and local sports and news to build brands and connect with fans through audio, video, digital and events. With offices throughout the country and our home office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, GKB’s team includes over 550 teammates and is recognized as a “Best Place to Work” by Front Office Sports, Sports Business Journal, and USA TODAY. Take a look at Good Karma Brands here.

Daily Tasks of a News Director

• Collaborate with General Manager & News Content Manager to create a rotating schedule for weekend coverage, including an outline of expectations on the weekends. Director of News and News Manager both to be included in the rotation.
• Responsible for weekday morning news recordings. Newscasts should be live during the morning show whenever possible.
• Gather and maintain a list of all local and surrounding area emergency workers phone numbers so calls and texts can be exchanged efficiently when news stories break and updates are needed. Proactively reach out for information and updates.
• Regularly collaborate with News Department at WTMJ; plan time in Milwaukee to shadow them on all processes; discuss possibilities of sharing content that makes sense. Discuss breaking news strategies, length of news breaks and stories.
• Management of all news department teammates; document weekly 1:1 meetings.
• Responsible for overseeing the News Manager's news writing, editing, copy editing, posting on website and social media.
• Responsible for making sure deadlines are met by the news team.
• Responsible for following and monitoring local organizations, area school districts, Madison and Milwaukee news sources, local politicians and area law enforcement agencies on social media platforms.
• Collaborate with the WBEV Content Manager and the News Content Manager to formulate & execute a plan for election coverage and special news events.
• Collect and organize news coverage throughout the year for WBA award submissions.
• Review, approve contracts for news/content partnerships.
• Lead the weather emergency team. Prompt communication with weather emergency teammates is required each weather event to determine who is available to cover on air responsibilities; serve as point person to call/text all local authorities for live updates on upcoming, current, and post weather emergencies.
• Proactively reach out to Community Comment guests to book shows and fill calendar for month to month consistency; identify time requirements for each guest. Work with WBEV Content Manager to decide which guests are more suited for the Hometown Today program.
• Serve as back-up to all News Manager tasks.
• Coordinate all aspects of school and other closings.
• Moderate/host community events; serve as the news department representative in the community.
• Work with the News Content Manager and the WBEV Content Manager to design what weekend news content expectations are.
• Work with the Marketing Manager to coordinate training schedules and curriculum for the Start in BD teammates.
• Assist with news writing and editing.
• Make sure our news department is visible at local community events to include in news and social media - such as ribbon cuttings, major dinners, fundraisers and other newsworthy events
• Make sure our news department is available for on-site breaking news reports on both radio and social media.
• Strategize to increase following on all Daily Dodge social media platforms.
• Director of News reports to the News Content Manager.
• Other assigned tasks
• Be a Good Karma Brands ambassador by adhering to the GKB core values: Listen, Be Honest, Follow Through, Work Hard, Teamwork and Over Deliver

Preferred knowledge, skills, and qualifications

• Three years of related experience is preferred
• One year of on-air experience is preferred
• Goal oriented and creative self-starter
• Passion to be part of the team and ability to work independently

Hours/Salary/Benefits

Good Karma Brands offers a competitive base salary. This role is eligible for full benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, Life Insurance, STD, LTD, 401(k) Plan, Dependent Care, paid parental leave, and more with opportunities for salary growth increase with skills and responsibilities and meeting targeted goals.

Opportunity for Growth

Teammates have the opportunity to continuously learn and grow within Good Karma Brands and are responsible to represent GKB, our story, and our core values inside and outside the workplace. Teammates are encouraged to take a proactive role in building relationships and seeking opportunities throughout the company.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting your resume to www.goodkarmabrands.com/careers no later than December 20, 2024. All are encouraged to apply.

About Good Karma Brands

As a proud partner of ESPN, GKB represents the ESPN Radio Network and Podcasts, the full portfolio of ESPN Digital Products, ESPN Events and local ESPN affiliated radio stations in eight markets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. GKB’s other audio assets include Newsradio 620 WTMJ and 101.7 The Truth in Milwaukee, and 95.3 WBEV in Beaver Dam, WI.

With offices throughout the country and our home office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, GKB’s team includes over 550 teammates and was recognized as a “Best Place to Work” by multiple organizations, including Front Office Sports.

For a full list of assets and more information, please visit www.goodkarmabrands.com.

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Good Karma Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consistently renew our commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace for all. We foster integrity, respect within the workplace, and believe that the foundation of our success is our collective differences and diversity of thought. We welcome all to help us continue to build a community that embodies and promotes diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all.