Executive Reporter, WKBW

The E.W. Scripps Company

$85K — $120K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS/BA in Journalism, Communications, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in journalism, reporting, or newsroom leadership preferred.
  • Experience coaching or mentoring journalists in a fast-paced newsroom environment preferred.
  • A proven track record of impactful storytelling and enterprise reporting.
  • Strong news judgment and understanding of journalistic ethics and media law.

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and develop reporters and multimedia journalists across various platforms.
  • Partner with newsroom leadership to execute a community-focused content strategy.
  • Coach reporters on story development, writing, and best newsroom practices.
  • Review stories and provide actionable feedback to enhance content quality.
  • Identify and develop high-impact stories that engage the community.
  • Foster a collaborative and innovative newsroom culture.
  • Serve as a trusted editorial leader ensuring ethical content quality.

Benefits

  • Career path to develop professional experiences.
  • Full medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • Retirement savings plan with company match.
  • Disability, accident, life insurance and other health benefits.
  • Pet discount program and employee assistance program.
Full Job Description
Executive Reporter, WKBW

WKBW, the ABC affiliate in Buffalo, New York, owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, is searching for an Executive Reporter to help lead our newsroom into the future.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished journalist who excels at both storytelling and leadership. As Executive Reporter, you'll be a newsroom coach, content strategist, and trusted editorial voice, helping reporters and multimedia journalists elevate their work while contributing your own impactful journalism across platforms. You'll collaborate with newsroom leaders to shape content that matters to Western New York, develop journalists at every stage of their careers, and champion innovative storytelling that strengthens our connection with audiences.

The ideal candidate is passionate about local journalism, believes in the power of enterprise reporting, and is energized by helping others do their best work. You'll play a critical role in advancing WKBW's mission of serving our community with authentic, meaningful, and impactful storytelling.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop reporters and multimedia journalists, helping them grow as storytellers across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms.
  • Partner with newsroom leadership to execute a content strategy focused on audience needs, community impact, and meaningful journalism.
  • Coach reporters on story development, enterprise reporting, writing, presentation, and newsroom best practices.
  • Review stories and provide actionable feedback to improve content quality, storytelling, and audience engagement.
  • Help identify and develop high-impact enterprise, investigative, and community-focused stories.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
  • Serve as a trusted editorial leader, ensuring content meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy, and fairness.
  • Work closely with producers, assignment editors, digital teams, and newsroom leaders to maximize the reach and impact of content.
  • Build confidence and trust among reporters, photographers, producers, and other newsroom staff.
  • Provide on-air and multi-platform coverage of significant stories, breaking news, and special projects as needed.
  • May pitch, shoot, write, edit, and produce content across platforms.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
  • BS/BA in Journalism, Communications, or a related discipline preferred, or equivalent years of experience.
  • Generally, 7+ years of experience in journalism, reporting, or newsroom leadership preferred.
  • Experience coaching, mentoring, or leading journalists in a fast-paced newsroom environment preferred.


WHAT YOU'LL BRING:
  • A proven track record of impactful storytelling and enterprise reporting.
  • Strong news judgment and a deep understanding of journalistic ethics, media law, and newsroom standards.
  • Passion for coaching and developing journalists.
  • A commitment to audience-first journalism and serving the needs of the Buffalo and Western New York community.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and influence without direct authority.
  • Experience creating content for multiple platforms, including broadcast, digital, social, and streaming.
  • Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
  • Curiosity, creativity, and a drive to continuously improve storytelling and newsroom performance.
  • Ability to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, early mornings, and holidays.


WHERE YOU'LL LIVE, WORK AND PLAY:

Buffalo is a city on the rise, combining big-city amenities with a strong sense of community and affordability that's hard to find elsewhere. Nestled along the shores of Lake Erie and just minutes from Niagara Falls, Western New York offers stunning outdoor recreation, vibrant neighborhoods, passionate sports fans, and a growing food and arts scene. Whether you're exploring the city's waterfront, enjoying world-class architecture, catching a Bills or Sabres game, or spending a weekend in the Finger Lakes, Buffalo offers an exceptional quality of life.

At WKBW, you'll join a newsroom with a long tradition of impactful journalism and community service. We are committed to producing meaningful stories that matter to the people of Western New York while embracing innovation across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms. If you're passionate about local journalism and helping shape the future of storytelling, Buffalo is a great place to build your career and make a difference.

#LI-SM2
#LI-ONSITE

COMPENSATION RANGE:
Annual Salary: $85,000.00 - $120,000

Pursuant to state and local salary transparency laws, the salary range posted is specific to candidates who will perform this work in New York.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
  • A career path to grow your professional experiences
  • Full medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as certain other health and wellness benefits
  • Retirement savings plan with company match
  • Other key company benefits include disability accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, life insurance, AD&D, ID protection, pet discount program, and employee assistance program. More details about timing and conditions of benefits eligibility and other plan terms and conditions will be provided upon hire.


If you are a current Scripps employee, please do not apply on this site. Please access our internal career site at Worklife > My Info > View Open Positions at Scripps.

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