Vice President, News

This is a Full Time Job

Job Summary:

The News Director leads ABC7's news product across all platforms, overseeing strategy, content, and team performance to drive audience growth, revenue, and community connection. As a key member of the station's leadership team, this executive is responsible for maintaining exceptional journalism, modernizing the newsroom, and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

In partnership with the General Manager, the News Director will define and execute a clear vision for the future of ABC7, communicating priorities, inspiring teams, and delivering results through data-driven decision making, strategic risk-taking, and hands-on leadership. This leader will evolve the Eyewitness News brand beyond breaking news to deliver impactful, localized, multi-platform journalism and content that reflects and serves the greater Bay Area community.

The role collaborates closely across the ABC Owned Television Stations group and with cross-functional partners throughout The Walt Disney Company to drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:
• Lead the development and execution of multi-platform content strategies that attract and engage audiences
• Oversee newsroom operations to meet or exceed key performance indicators, including ratings, audience growth, video consumption, and market share
• Evolve and strengthen the station's brand to enhance relevance, impact, and community connection
• Lead a high-performing, diverse, multi-platform newsroom team
• Partner with Sales leadership to develop content initiatives that support revenue growth and monetization strategies
• Identify and implement operational efficiencies across newsroom workflows and processes
• Build strong relationships with community leaders and represent the station externally
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent, including on-air staff, while providing coaching and professional development opportunities
• Leverage data and analytics to inform content strategy, platform optimization, and team accountability
• Ensure compliance with company policies, journalistic ethics, FCC regulations, and industry standards
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive newsroom culture
• Partner across ABC Owned Television Stations and The Walt Disney Company to leverage resources and advance strategic priorities
• Lead OTT and streaming content strategy and development
• Drive business development initiatives and strategic partnerships that support modernization and long-term growth

Minimum Qualifications:
• Proven newsroom leadership experience in a medium or large DMA, or a comparable news organization
• Collaborative and participative leadership style with a track record of driving innovation
• Ability to establish priorities, communicate vision and strategy, and identify growth opportunities
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills in fast-paced environments
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Knowledge of FCC rules and regulations
• Experience working with unions and participating in contract negotiations

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in marketing, audience development, and content growth across multiple platforms
• Knowledge of the San Francisco Bay Area market and community
• Experience with budgeting, financial management, and strategic planning

Required Education
• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.