Vice President, News (WPVI)

News Director

WPVI, the ABC Owned Television station serving the Philadelphia area, is seeking a passionate, visionary news leader to oversee all aspects of our multi-platform content operation.

The News Director leads WPVI'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 VP, News Director will define and execute a clear vision for the future of WPVIcommunicating priorities, inspiring teams, and delivering results through data-driven decision making, strategic risk-taking, and hands-on leadership. This leader will evolve the Action News brand beyond breaking news to deliver impactful, localized, multi-platform journalism and content that reflects and serves the Philadelphia 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

Basic 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 Philadelphia tri-state market and community
• Experience with budgeting, financial management, and strategic planning

Education:

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

The hiring range for this position in Philadelphia, PA is $236,000 to $316,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About ABC Owned TV Stations:

The Disney Entertainment Television group creates original entertainment and news content for the Company's streaming platforms and its cable and broadcast networks.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with WPVI Television (Philadelphia), LLC, which is part of a business we call ABC Owned TV Stations.

WPVI Television (Philadelphia), LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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