The educational requirements for TV director jobs usually include a Bachelors degree in communication or journalism and some related experience. Some stations would likely consider another type of degree if you have demonstrable experience in directing TV news.
TV director jobs also involve use of technical equipment like video cameras and audio equipment, so it is important that you have knowledge in the operational aspects of this equipment. As a TV director, you will have to review and approve all types of film and audio for use in broadcast. The degree in communication and journalism is vital as the TV director job includes writing copy, memo’s, and letters inside and outside the station. Writing copy can be challenging if you do not have the experience necessary to produce effective copy. Dealing with executives and staff will be a big part of your daily experience in a TV director jobs. TV news directors are in charge of hiring and firing employees throughout the news department. This gives you the opportunity to shape the team that surrounds you. While you will likely have access to a human resources department, the ultimate decision about who works in your news department is up to you.
A TV news director job does require a more than average level of understanding about the world around you. The responsibility of shaping the news coverage and focusing on particular subjects requires a level of knowledge about government and society at every level. You must be able to present objective news coverage of any event with the aim of informing not convincing viewers. Remaining objectives can be one of the biggest challenges for any journalist. You have opinions and subject matter that you consider most important, but you must be able to see past that and provide an objective view of the events happening in the city in which you reside. You will be responsible for thinking on your feet to cover breaking news that could occur at any moment.
Regulating a budget for the news department is the sole responsibility of the TV news director job. You must be able to hire and run the entire operation on a strict budget. Learning to control labor costs while keeping revenue flowing is your main responsibility. If the station loses money, you are not doing your job. This can mean forming a strong bond with the advertising sales team at your station to ensure you are providing the right audience for the right ads.
As you coordinate and direct the news department’s activities, you will be able to and should suggest ideas for feature stories. It will be up to you to decide who is in charge of the story and the general direction of the piece. You have exclusive editorial control of the content before going to air. Working with your reporters can be challenging as creative control is up for grabs, but ultimately you are the decision maker. Learning to give reporters room to grow while controlling content is an important skill for anyone seeking TV director jobs around the country.
While the responsibilities are vast, the rewards can be immense. A TV news director usually works with highly trained, professional, and educated people. Most people in a television station are career people and know what they want. Dealing with big personalities should be expected, as most reporters or on air talent are required to be big personalities to succeed in the TV news business. You will be responsible for honing their talents and counseling to improve their performance. You must be able to challenge strong people to achieve their best. The best part is that most people in TV stations want to be there, have a passion for their work, and will provide a challenging but fun workplace experience.
Informing executives of the progress and future direction of the TV news department is a primary responsibility in TV director jobs. You have to be able to present proposals to increase revenue, and follow through. You must have a sense of how to promote high levels of viewer ship through features or special interest stories specific to your community. This will likely involve research on your part to gauge what works in your city or town, and why.
Communication is probably the most important skill for a TV news director. You have to communicate with each employee. You are required to direct the department heads to achieve your overall vision of each feature or special story line.
When searching for TV directors jobs, whether it is TV jobs in Boise or TV jobs in Colorado, be prepared for a competitive marketplace. Be prepared to show related experience in TV or radio, and experience in supervisory roles. Take the time to prepare to articulate your vision for TV news director’s functions and priorities. Understanding the role of revenue in a TV station can put you a step ahead of the rest. While you are not responsible for selling ad time, you can play an integral role in producing revenue through the ads sold.
