News Director – Local Journalism Leadership Role

Civic Media Inc•Madison, WI

11d

About The Position

Civic Media is hiring a strategic, hands-on News Director to lead a multi-platform newsroom delivering breaking news, enterprise reporting, and community-focused journalism across radio, digital, podcast, and social channels. This position is ideal for an experienced newsroom leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, excels at editorial decision-making, and is passionate about local media’s role in civic engagement. Though the preference is for this person to live in or relocate to Madison or Milwaukee, this position can be based anywhere in Wisconsin.

Requirements

3+ years of newsroom management or supervisory experience
5+ years of journalism/reporting experience
Demonstrated editorial judgment and decision-making ability
Experience editing audio and written news content
Background in broadcast, digital publishing, or multimedia newsrooms
Strong understanding of journalism ethics and standards

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or related field
Experience producing audio stories or live broadcasts
Familiarity with CMS platforms, social media publishing, and analytics tools
Track record of mentoring journalists and improving newsroom performance

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise a team of reporters and contributors
Edit radio scripts and digital stories for accuracy, clarity, and broadcast tone
Oversee breaking news coverage and develop long-term editorial plans
Provide coaching, performance feedback, and professional development guidance
Participate in on-air anchoring rotations as needed
Direct special projects, investigative series, and election or event coverage
Set editorial priorities and approve story assignments
Manage freelancers, interns, and newsroom workflow
Collaborate with digital, content, and production teams
Ensure timely publishing across broadcast and online platforms
Represent newsroom leadership at meetings, public events, and membership drives