Weekend Anchor/MSJ
Job description
About the role
This role guides local news coverage as a weekend anchor and multimedia journalist, owning the editorial direction and on-air presentation of newscasts. The position leads key editorial decisions for weekend newscasts and related digital storytelling initiatives that serve the community. You will represent the station on air, in community partnerships, and across all content touchpoints requiring a professional broadcast presence. The role demands structured thinking, clear communication, and consistent follow-through to meet tight deadlines. Success in this position depends heavily on collaboration and making the work easy for producers, photographers, and editors to build upon. You will take notes, keep written commitments, and communicate decisions in writing to ensure continuity. Professionals in this role track progress, adjust plans in meetings, and ensure that every story choice aligns with audience needs and station standards.
Key facts
What you'll do
Exercise editorial judgment to determine the content and tone of weekend newscasts while ensuring alignment with audience expectations. Collaborate closely with producers to build fast-paced, unique newscasts that reflect current events and community priorities. Use social media trends to identify compelling stories and highlight underrepresented community voices. Write and post original content daily across digital platforms to engage online audiences and extend the station's reach. Conduct enterprise reporting that uncovers deeper context through independent sourcing and social listening. Deliver news on-air with engaging, accurate, and professional presentation that builds trust with local viewers. Investigate complex topics through enterprise reporting to provide depth, clarity, and meaningful context. Attach images and streaming video to web writing to enhance storytelling for broader digital audiences. Maintain a visible presence in the newsroom and during field assignments to support team coverage goals. Adapt quickly to shifting news cycles while maintaining strong ethical judgment and accuracy in every report. Support continuous improvement by reviewing your own work and incorporating feedback from managers and peers. Serve as a role model for junior staff by demonstrating best practices in journalism, technology, and audience engagement.
Requirements
Minimum 3-5 years of news anchor or reporting experience anchors this role within the newsroom and ensures readiness for complex assignments. Journalistic and communication knowledge supports a deep understanding of professional standards and ethical practices. Excellent creative presentation and writing skills are essential for credible, engaging, and accurate reporting. Mastery of the latest editing and photography tools enables you to tell stories effectively across multiple formats. Enterprise news development through social listening and independent sources drives original, impactful coverage for the community. On-air delivery of news events must engage and inform local audiences clearly and professionally. Interviewing skills and factual research ensure accuracy, balance, and trust in every story. Daily digital publishing on social platforms and the web maintains ongoing community connection and relevance. A current driver's license is required to operate news-gathering vehicles and perform field reporting duties efficiently.
Nice to have
While not required, experience with tight deadline environments will help you thrive in fast-paced newscasts. Strong social media instincts are preferred for identifying trends and growing audience engagement. Familiarity with modern content management and broadcast tools will accelerate your contributions. Candidates who demonstrate initiative in enterprise reporting and community storytelling will stand out. Experience working across multiple formats, including television and digital, is valued for flexibility.
Practical notes
This is a full-time role that requires presence in the newsroom and travel to community locations as needed. You must possess a current driver's license and the ability to operate news-gathering vehicles for field reporting. The role may require participation in application procedures and expectations that align with TEGNA Inc. standards and local guidelines. Travel expectations and scheduling details will be confirmed during the hiring process.
Typical interview steps
Hiring processes usually combine a screening conversation with one or more interview rounds, which may include phone, video, or in-person meetings. Candidates can expect questions about their experience, a scenario or case study, and a chance to ask their own questions to assess fit. Preparation and specific examples from past work carry the most weight in evaluating candidacy. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and collaborate with diverse teams is critical. Whatever the role, preparation is visible in how thoroughly you review materials. Reviewing the company's product, the job description, and your own past work before each conversation is the strongest step you can take.
Good to know
Broadcast anchor roles combine on-camera presence with deadline-driven storytelling in a fast-moving environment. Newsrooms rely on strong writing, technical skills, and ethical judgment to maintain credibility and public trust. Digital platforms expand how stories reach audiences beyond television, requiring versatility across formats. Continuous learning keeps reporting relevant across multiple platforms and evolving audience expectations. You will need to adapt quickly to new tools, technologies, and community needs throughout your tenure.
Questions to ask
Useful questions for the interview include asking what a typical week looks like and how work is assigned during peak news cycles. Inquire about the tools the team uses for broadcast and digital production, and how feedback is structured. Asking how the role has changed recently provides insight into evolving expectations. It is also reasonable to ask what the team wishes it had known when joining and about the manager's current priorities. These questions show engagement and help you evaluate whether the role aligns with your goals.
Career growth
Careers in this field grow through a mix of experience, increased responsibility, and demonstrated results that expand your influence in the newsroom. Early years focus on building technical, writing, and on-air skills while mastering editorial judgment. Later years often bring greater ownership of content, leadership opportunities, and complex assignments. Many professionals switch focus areas or move between companies to continue growing and broadening their expertise. Growth in any career comes from scope, measurable results, and reputation for reliability and accuracy. Take on work that is slightly outside your comfort zone, and make sure your contributions are visible to managers and colleagues. Seek feedback regularly, document your achievements, and look for opportunities to mentor others as you advance.