SPORTS DIRECTOR - WTOK at Gray Media
Job Description
About Gray Media:
Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 47 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.
About Station:
WTOK-TV is located in the heart of the Queen City, called Meridian, Mississippi. Meridian is the birthplace of country music (Jimmie Rodgers), the soul of the Temptations (David Ruffin), and home to the world-class Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian and The MAX. You can hike at Bonita Lake, watch the sunset from the roof of the Threefoot Hotel, or savor southern foods in the restaurants in our revitalized downtown district.
WTOK-TV is the highest-rated ABC station in the country. We serve the communities of eastern Mississippi and Western Alabama with top-rated news, weather, and sports. We also offer syndicated programming on the CW, Circle, and myTOK networks. We take pride in serving our viewers, our community, and our advertisers for 70 years.
Our mission is to be engaged with the community and promote civic and economic development with a focus on improving the lives of our viewers. We use cutting-edge technology to provide accurate and timely news information on television and digital platforms.
Job Summary/Description:
There is nothing like SEC Football, Mississippi baseball championships, and division one athletes in the SOUTH! WTOK-TV is in the middle of it all. We are two hours+ to powerhouse programs.
We need a sports director in Meridian, Mississippi, who strives to be the best in the business.
The ideal candidate will bring high-energy creativity to our team of journalists. You should be able to develop local sources and contacts in the community. The candidate should be an excellent writer and should be able to shoot and edit. In addition to daily broadcast responsibilities, the candidate will also be required to post stories to digital platforms and on social media.
The candidate will shoot/write/edit stories and produce and present on-air sports segments for newscasts.
He/she will also be expected to push the envelope in developing compelling visuals and daily presentations/live shots with a hyper-local focus on the East Mississippi and West Alabama region
Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide sports segments for newscasts as assigned, as well as on various digital platforms.
- Be ready and willing to work various schedules depending on the staffing needs of the station.
- Perform all the regular duties of a reporter, from story ideas to shooting, editing, and going live, as well as posting on digital and social platforms.
- Depending on Newsroom coverage needs, may be assigned to do general assignment news stories at the News Director's discretion.
Qualifications/Requirements:
This position requires a high level of creativity and communication. He/she must have a background in broadcast journalism and sports with a passion for cutting-edge presentation. Professional experience on air is also required. The select candidate must also have the ability to perform under deadline pressure. Familiarity with ENPS newsroom software, Edius editing software, and ENG equipment is a plus.
- A bachelor's degree in journalism, broadcasting, or communications is preferred
- Excellent writer with the use of sound
- Keen vision for live sports
- Understand complicated logistics in scheduling assignments
Candidates must have previous experience shooting live, local sports events, demonstrate an ability to create compelling personal sports stories, and demonstrate a background and track record of social media engagement and interaction.
If you feel you’re qualified and want to work with a great group of people, go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now", upload your resume, cover letter, and references
(Current employees who are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro self-service portal)
WTOK-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company
Additional Info:
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