WABC Director – Digital & Audience Engagement
Job Description
Disney Entertainment’s eight-owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. WABC-TV has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for more than 60 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live, local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. Quality news and programming, groundbreaking technology, and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation!
The Director of Digital & Audience Engagement is a key newsroom leader responsible for developing and executing the station’s digital content strategy across all platforms, including website, mobile app, social media, streaming, newsletters, OTT, and emerging technologies. This role ensures that digital storytelling meets high editorial standards, reflects the station’s brand, increases audience engagement, and drives measurable growth in reach and revenue.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who blends editorial judgment, audience analytics, innovation, and leadership. They will work closely with News, Community, Marketing, Sales, and Technology teams to expand digital-first journalism and deliver content that serves the local community 24/7.
Responsibilities
Digital Strategy & Leadership
Develop and implement a digital-first content strategy aligned with newsroom goals and audience growth targets.
Lead and mentor a digital content team, providing coaching, feedback, and performance guidance.
Create editorial calendars and coverage plans tied to key events, ratings periods, local trends, and viewer behavior.
Drive innovation in storytelling formats (short-form video, live streams, explainers, interactive graphics, polls, AI tools, etc.).
Content & Editorial Oversight
Oversee the creation, editing, and publication of content across all digital platforms.
Ensure accuracy, timeliness, legal compliance, and editorial ethics, in partnership with News leadership and Legal teams.
Prioritize breaking news, weather, investigative stories, and community impact reporting in real time.
Work collaboratively with producers, anchors, and reporters to adapt on-air stories for digital and social.
Audience Development & Analytics
Use various analytic tools to guide team on optimizing content and headlines, in addition to using tools to analyze posting strategy and growing audience engagement.
Establish data-driven KPIs, including impressions, engagement rates, video views, subscriptions, conversion, retention, and monetization.
Drive initiatives to grow audience segments, including Gen Z, bilingual viewers, and historically underserved communities.
Collaboration & Monetization
Partner with Sales & Marketing to create sponsored digital content, branded storytelling, and OTT opportunities.
Work with Promotions & Community Engagement teams to amplify station initiatives, town halls, and local partnerships.
Align digital strategy with station revenue goals while maintaining journalistic standards.
Innovation & Emerging Technologies
Identify and implement tools related to AI, SEO, CMS workflows, captioning, accessibility, automation, standard templates, and content tagging.
Stay current on industry trends: streaming, personalization, vertical video, newsletters, text alerts, podcasting, etc.
Evaluate new platforms and recommend expansion opportunities.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
Minimum of 7+ years of newsroom or digital content experience, including editorial decision-making.
Strong leadership experience managing a fast-paced digital team.
Demonstrated expertise across content management systems, analytics tools, social platforms, & SEO best practices.
Proven track record of growing digital audiences and driving engagement.
Preferred Qualification:
Experience in local news or broadcasting environment.
Familiarity with AP Style and knowledge of FCC / legal standards.
Experience working with OTT platforms, newsletter strategy, and subscription models
Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, or related field.
The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $160,500 to $215,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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