Weeknight News Co-Anchor

            They say once you get our beach sand in your shoes, you never can get it out. It’s another way of saying once you lived along the Panhandle coast, you’ll never want to live anywhere else.  WMBB, the Nexstar-owned ABC & CW affiliate in Panama City, Florida, is looking for a Weeknight News Co-Anchor to join our established team.  The ideal candidate must be an excellent writer with at least 5 years of anchoring experience.  They must also be a solid newscast producer, a strong reporter and a good mentor to our younger news staff members.  This is not the type of job where you live, eat and breath news, then go home.  Yes, we want that commitment, but we’re looking for someone who wants to be involved in the community.  We’re hoping to hire someone who wants to enjoy the beautiful beaches and the natural resources of the Florida Panhandle.  We want someone who wants to make this their home, not just a stop on the way to something else. 

            We have a good culture in our newsroom.  We are a beginner’s market for reporters and weekend anchors.  Our key weekday and weeknight anchor positions are seasoned veterans who provide leadership for these young, growing journalists.  As one of the two main weeknight anchors, you will be shouldering a good part of that leadership responsibility. 

I believe in working hard, but also having fun. Having said that there will be days you ask yourself ‘why did I sign-up for this?’. But most days will be good.  Panama City is a beautiful place, a dynamic news market, and our station is the leader in breaking news and ‘tough. but fair’ news coverage.

If this sounds good to you, you should apply now. It could be the first step toward a life-changing job.  But you’ll never know if you don’t apply.  Are you up to the challenge?

The Weeknight News Co-Anchor  serves as the primary presenter of news stories and other content for all platforms in a manner that is clear, engaging and meaningful to news consumers.

• Presents news stories and other content for all platforms.
• Ensures that all news content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality.
• Writes and delivers news stories in a clear and concise manner.
• Produces newscasts and communicates clear direction with team members.
• Assists in writing, copy editing, researching and coordinating news programming and other content.
• Acts as a field reporter as assigned.
• Conducts interviews with news personnel and others.
• Responds to breaking news and other urgent newsrooms situations as required.
• Participates in promotional activities including public appearances.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Edits video clips as assigned.
• Writes content for the website and other eMedia platforms.
• Interacts with viewers/users on social media sites.

 Requirements & Skills:

• 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 five years’ experience in news reporting or anchoring.  (More or less depending on market size.)
• 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.