Full Job Description
Job Summary/Description:
WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, WI, is seeking an accomplished, dynamic General Manager to oversee all station operations, including Digital and Linear Spot Sales, Marketing and Sales Management, Linear and Digital News Content Development, and Newsroom Operations. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking strategist with proven management experience driving growth through strategic planning, collaboration, and team development. We are looking for a mentor and motivator who can inspire managers and staff while navigating the evolving media landscape with agility and vision.
Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
WEAU is seeking a community-focused, growth-driven General Manager to lead a fully functioning multi-platform station in a highly competitive market, operating in Gray's decentralized, local-first culture.
* Growth & Performance:
- Own all revenue and audience performance: broadcast, digital, CTV/OTT/streaming, sponsorship, political, and new business development.
- Develop and execute strategic and operating plans for audience and revenue growth across linear, streaming, and social, aligned to WEAU's local brand.
- Manage pricing, inventory, and yield in partnership with Sales leadership; drive digital agency growth and new direct business.
* Content & Product:
- Lead multi-platform content strategy with News leadership: trusted local journalism, live/breaking, weather, sports, and community storytelling.
- Drive streaming and social video growth using data: Nielsen, Comscore, and digital analytics to test, measure, scale, or sunset initiatives.
- Ensure responsible innovation, including compliance with Gray's Generative AI Policy: all Gray-originated news content is created by humans, approved vendors only, with transparency and human oversight.
* Leadership & Culture:
- Lead with positive motivation, direction, and accountability. Foster a collaborative, high-performance, team-based environment.
- Recruit, develop, engage, and retain top talent; own succession planning and training and development at all levels.
- Build trust and belonging; uphold Gray Media's Employee Handbook with the highest ethical standards.
* Community & Clients:
- Be the visible face of WEAU in the Chippewa Valley and La Crosse-Eau Claire region. Build strong relationships with key advertisers, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
- Champion local service, community events, and partnerships that strengthen brand equity.
* Operations & Finance:
- Own station Operating and Capital budgets; demonstrate strong fluency in financial reports and ensure accurate, relevant data.
- Oversee facilities, technology, transmitter operations, and staff safety/security, including field crew protocols.
- Ensure compliance with all FCC, EEO, financial controls, and Company policies.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
* 7-10+ years of progressive media leadership, including department-head experience. Prior GM, GSM, DOS, ND, or Digital leadership preferred; strong digital revenue leadership highly desired.
* Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing/Advertising, Communications, Journalism, or related field, or equivalent experience.
* Proven record of growing local news audience and multi-platform revenue in a competitive market.
* Strong communicator across all formats: written, verbal, and presentation.
* Strategic/analytical thinker; excellent negotiator; calm, decisive operator able to manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines.
* Demonstrated ability to build teams, develop high performers, and lead diverse personalities and skill sets.
* Deep understanding of the broadcast/digital industry and its future: linear, streaming, digital, and evolving measurement.
* Fluency in broadcast/digital systems (e.g., newsroom, traffic, CRM, analytics) with aptitude to learn new tools.
* Familiarity with employment law compliance at an operational level.
* Willingness to live and lead in-market as a community leader.
* Valid driver's license with a safe driving record; ability to meet Gray Media driving requirements.
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)
WEAU-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company
