What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant News Director position at Island News?
KITV Island News is looking for an experienced, collaborative journalist to serve as our next Assistant News Director.
The Assistant News Director is a key member of the newsroom leadership team, helping lead daily editorial coverage and ensuring we deliver accurate, compelling and relevant journalism across broadcast and digital platforms. We’re looking for a hands-on leader with strong news judgment who enjoys working directly with reporters, producers and newsroom managers to make our coverage better every day.
The successful candidate will listen and learn from colleagues with deep knowledge of Hawaiʻi, be receptive to feedback about market-specific stories and coverage decisions, and bring fresh ideas and experience to a collaborative newsroom.
Responsibilities
- Lead and guide daily editorial coverage, including breaking news and major developing stories.
- Work with reporters to develop story ideas, sharpen focus, review scripts and execute compelling stories.
- Review newscasts and work with producers to improve content, writing, showcasing and overall execution.
- Coach reporters, producers and other journalists through regular, constructive feedback.
- Coordinate newsroom resources and make timely editorial decisions during breaking news and major coverage.
- Help plan coverage of elections, severe weather, major events and special projects.
- Assist with staffing, scheduling, recruiting, training and performance management as needed.
- Serve as a newsroom leader and decision-maker when the News Director is unavailable.
- Fill other roles as needed, such as producing, digital content, and on-air.
Qualifications
- Previous newsroom management experience, such as Assistant News Director, Executive Producer, Managing Editor or a comparable leadership role.
- Strong news judgment and experience leading daily and breaking-news coverage.
- Excellent writing, editing, communication and organizational skills.
- Strong understanding of journalistic ethics, accuracy and fairness.
- Experience managing editorial priorities across broadcast and digital platforms.
- Ability to make sound decisions and remain composed in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom.
- A collaborative leadership style and willingness to both provide and receive constructive feedback.