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Nexstar Media Group’s WCIA in Champaign has a rare Sports Director opening to lead coverage of Your Illini Nation. It’s the perfect time to consider this opportunity as we gear up for fall football season. We’re looking for a passionate leader for our sports department of three. Our Sports Director coordinates coverage of the Illini football and basketball seasons. Our coverage doesn’t stop when the games are over. Immediately following those games, you’ll host our WCIA 3 in 1 Podcast, lining up guests to bring exclusive coverage to our viewers. Your strong organizational skills will come in handy for travel planning as our commitment includes covering Illini games on the road.

The excitement and high school sports following builds with our Friday Football Fever and Full Court Friday specials. You’ll be producing those specials, outlining the game plan to bring viewers the most coverage we can of Central Illinois teams.

The right candidate will have prior experience in a sports reporter role at a television station. This is not an entry-level position. Be sure to include a reel with your application so we can see the energy and passion you would bring to Your Illini Nation.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Report sports stories for broadcast and our digital platforms

• Shoot video for use in broadcasts or for other sports reporters to use in stories

• Arrange and conduct interviews, shoot video, edit packages and VO/SOTs

• Utilize solid sports knowledge to research topics, vet tips for credibility and relevance, gather information for broadcast and digital publication

• Review copy for accuracy, style, proper grammar, and punctuation, following editorial direction and guidelines

• Pitch stories of interest to a diverse audience, while also understanding the importance of the target demographic

• Promote teamwork, bring a positive attitude and collaborate with station personnel from management, producers and assignment editors, plus sports team colleagues

• Interact professionally with viewers/users on social media platforms to build engagement and brand

• Build a network of sources to enable Your Illini Nation to break stories and continue to lead the market

• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned, including attendance at public events and community service initiatives

  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 oral and written communication skills, with the ability to ad lib when required

• Minimum of two years’ experience shooting sports video and on-air reporting

• Engaging and dynamic on-air presence

• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Social media expertise

• Knowledge of current newsgathering technology, including video cameras, editing equipment and newsroom computer systems

• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record

• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including nights and weekends, as sports content needs dictate

#LI-Onsite

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across television, streaming and digital platforms, including nearly 300,000 hours of original video content each year. Nexstar owns America’s largest local broadcasting group comprised of top network affiliates, with 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets reaching 212 million people. Nexstar’s national television properties include The CW, America’s fifth major broadcast network, NewsNation, America’s fastest-growing national news and entertainment cable network reaching 70 million television homes, popular entertainment multicast networks Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including The Hill and BestReviews, are collectively a Top 10 U.S. digital news and information property. In addition to delivering exceptional content and service to our communities, Nexstar provides premium multiplatform and video-on-demand advertising opportunities at scale for businesses and brands seeking to leverage the strong consumer engagement of our compelling content offering. For more information, please visit Nexstar.tv.

EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.