Title: Live News Director, PBS Newshour
Status: Full Time-Exempt
Reports to: Senior Director, PC Ops & Production
JOB OBJECTIVE
Directs daily live broadcast of the PBS NewsHour. Director will work exclusively with and for the NewsHour and only NewsHour related productions, e.g., Washington Week, PBS News Weekend, network news specials and other NHP products. This is a DGA covered position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Ability to direct live, network productions, occasionally under intense deadline pressure.
- Provide leadership over the control room and technical crew, approximately a dozen or so.
- Responsible for developing and implementing a vision for the program, in concert with NewsHour leadership.
- Work calmly under pressure in fast-paced news and production environment, calling camera shots, graphics, audio, and video effects to deliver highly professional daily and special broadcasts.
- Ability to adapt and execute last minute changes during broadcasts.
- Required to direct remote broadcasts.
- Must work collaboratively with producers and executive producer.
- Communicate clearly and with authority, representing the views of the producers, when executing a program.
- Involved in development of updated show concept utilizing new studio and technology, including video walls and robotic cameras.
- Contributes to decisions on graphics, music, remote site survey and set-up, live and tape production direction, interacting with experts in these areas.
- Travels, when necessary, to direct remote productions.
- Develop new production techniques and graphic approaches to improve production values.
- Collaborate with NewsHour management to control production costs.
- Involved in standard operating procedure implementation and management, as well as enforcing WETA control room policies and procedures.
- Ability to work off electronic scripts
SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Proficiency with iNews software is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge in daily production management at a television broadcast facility and of current production techniques and technologies.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, and work independently and in a team environment, in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
- Availability to work irregular work hours as needed.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Five years of live news directing experience and operational knowledge of all control room positions and studio/field productions.
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, TV production, or related field.
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- In lieu of degree we would consider experience and on the job accomplishments.
- Proficiency with iNews software is highly preferred.
LOCATION
WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously.
Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent.
We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.