Senior Producer

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox TV Stations

FOX Television Stations owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in 14 of the top 15 largest designated market areas, or DMAs, and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 18 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce approximately 1,200 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.

JOB DESCRIPTION

FOX 35 Orlando, a FOX O&O in beautiful Orlando, FL has an immediate opening for a dynamic, creative, senior producer to Lead the weekend team. This is a perfect position for an experienced producer to manage the editorial content, staff for assigned newscasts and web site and social media platforms by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise the activities of the weekend news staff according to company policy and guidelines.
• Work independently, effectively and with minimal oversight from management to communicate goals and assignments to newscast team. Help team members’ process and prioritize information clearly and accurately in a stressful, fast-paced, and distracting environment that includes deadline pressures and breaking news.
• Exercise discretion, judgment and solid journalistic/ethical decision making by selecting, creating and producing stories/newscasts that are clear, meaningful, accurate, fair and creative. Gather, verify and prioritize information to ensure sound news decision-making.
• Oversee planning of content for all weekend newscasts to include logistical planning for weekend news coverage and events as well as secure guests and experts for news segments where appropriate.
• Assume leadership role in the newsroom; serve as a gatekeeper through story selection and copy-editing; have active and informed participation in news planning and development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the requirements of each individual newscast as well as the varying viewer needs for each individual newscast.
• Coach news producers to ensure newscasts in terms of writing, visualization and impact. Give instruction in best writing and production techniques. Think creatively to help producers find imaginative ways to communicate information within newscasts.
• Write clear concise copy using proper grammar and vocabulary in accordance with newsroom editorial style and format standards.
• Work with reporters, photographers and assignment editors to identify the best elements of stories for promotion.
• Monitor wire services, news feeds, digital and social media to ascertain relevant stories for inclusion into newscasts, on the web, and on social media.
• Utilize social media sites to encourage a 2-way dialogue between newsroom personnel and viewers, to deliver news content and gather story ideas.
• Work with anchors to ensure that the best writing and delivery of clear, concise, news copy are achieved.
• Work with anchors and producers to write and produce effective teases and promos that entice as many viewers as possible to watch WOFL newscasts.
• Utilize new technologies, such as smartphones & tablets to gather news content for air, online, on mobile, and on social media.
• Work with the assignment desk to make sure desired story elements are covered and breaking news events receive the proper response, attention, follow-up and placement in the system. Make sure all ENG crews have necessary and accurate information so they are in proper position to deliver necessary live signals.
• Work as a liaison between directors and producers to find creative, effective and technically sound means of story production throughout newscasts.
• During the week, work effectively with news management and newsroom personnel to develop content and production of newscasts.
• Facilitate flow of information from the field to producers, assignment desk, editors and creative services. Ensure streamlined communication is maintained between the newsroom and field crews.
• Work with reporters to make sure stories are properly developed and the elements of a newscast such as content, sound, natural sound, balance, fairness and visualization are balanced and achieved.
• Work with and manage others effectively on a daily basis, which includes multiple deadline pressure. Ensure those deadlines are met.
• Ensure versions of stories in the newscasts that this position oversees are prepared for the subsequent news blocks.
• Review newscasts alone and with team to make sure objectives are met.
• Review postings online and on social media to make sure objectives are met.
• Adhere to all professional broadcast journalism standards in regard to legal and ethical issues.
• Work varied hours, holidays, weekends and during severe weather situations as needed and/or scheduled.

SUPERVISION: (classifications supervised and number of subordinates):

Supervise:

Producers

Associate Producers

JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Positive Attitude

• Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Commitment to Excellence

• Initiative

• Teamwork/Leadership

• Job Skills

• Integrity

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:

Regularly stand; walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and; talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of 3 years’ experience as producer in major market or news manager in a smaller market.

EDUCATION: College degree in in an applicable discipline such as broadcast journalism or communications.

OTHER: Decisive, authoritative leader with strong communication skills and the ability to build a strong team environment. Must be able to integrate social media with broadcast television. Must be flexible and able to handle pressure and meet deadlines.