News Anchor

WMBD and WYZZ, the CBS and FOX affiliates in central Illinois, are looking for an experienced journalist to serve as the Co-Anchor of our morning newscasts!

We need a hands-on anchor who is ready to lead by example. You must be a team player and community minded.

Our anchors are working journalists. The successful candidate should be prepared to take an active role in newsgathering every day across all screens and platforms. This anchor must maintain a friendly, energetic, and authoritative on-air persona, exhibit urgency every day, particularly during breaking news, and have a high level of engagement on all social media platforms.

Leadership is a must! As the Morning Co-Anchor, you will be expected to lead by example and work with managers to coach and motivate other staff. You will volunteer in the community.

Top applicants should have at least two years of professional on-air anchoring experience and two years of professional reporting experience. Producing experience is preferred.

Overall, we’re looking for an experienced, hard-working journalist with a positive attitude and a team-oriented, leadership nature who can connect with viewers and motivate them as they wake up each day and drive higher levels of social engagement and web traffic.

Sitting alongside the scenic Illinois River between Chicago and St. Louis, Peoria is a city whose history is wrapped in whiskey, manufacturing and medical innovation. (From peoriagov.org) “Here we have an enviable standard of living, exciting venues within a 15-20-minute drive from our homes, safe streets, quality and quantity shopping, our own symphony, our own ballet, museums, art guilds, first-class medical facilities, the nation's oldest community theater and oldest Santa Claus parade.”

Job Duties

• Present news stories and other content for all platforms.
• Ensure all news content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality.
• Work with management to enterprise and develop stories daily.
• Evaluate news leads and tips to develop story ideas.
• Build a network of sources who supply information that allows the Station to stay ahead of its competitors.
• Write and deliver news stories clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrate compelling storytelling using dynamic live shots and stand-ups, creative graphics, and use of digital and social media platforms
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with management and team members.
• Assist in writing, copy editing, researching, and coordinating news programming and other content.
• Coach and mentor young talent.
• Act as a field reporter as assigned.
• Conduct interviews with news personnel and others.
• Respond to breaking news and other urgent newsroom situations as required.
• Participate in promotional activities, including public appearances and community volunteer opportunities.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Edit video clips as assigned.
• Write content for the website and other digital platforms.
• May produce newscasts.
• Interact with viewers/users on social media sites.
• Promote teamwork and maintain an attitude of cooperation with all station personnel.

Requirements & Skills:

• A bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
• Fluency in English.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to ad lib when required.
• Minimum two years' experience in news anchoring and two years of on-camera news reporting.
• Superior on-air presence.
• Excellent news judgment with an expansive knowledge of local and national current events, history, newsmakers, and issues.
• Experience guiding, directing, and motivating others.
• Ability to identify the developmental needs of others and to coach, mentor or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Proficiency with computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax machines and other office equipment.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to effectively listen to fully understand problems and communicate with a team to shape a solution.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Flexibility to work any shift.

Pay Range: $50,000-$55,000

Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits package includes, but not limited to, medical (with multiple plan options), dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) with company matching contributions, life insurance, Paid Parental Leave and more.