Description

About Gray Media:

Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formally known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second-highest-rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray's additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About WSAW:

WSAW is Wausau's first TV station, debuting in 1954. It serves as the CBS affiliate for northcentral Wisconsin. Together with WZAW, the region's FOX affiliate, WSAW/WZAW-TV produces more than 30 hours of news each week. We work hard and celebrate our wins. In 2025, the news team was recognized as the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association "News Operation of the Year" and - for the 8th straight year-- WSAW was named small market "Station of the Year" (for coverage airing in 2024). Also in 2025, WSAW's podcast- Forgotten: Wisconsin Cold Cases-was honored with a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for the second-straight year.

North central Wisconsin is known as the "Crossroads of Commerce." Wausau is centrally located within 3 hours or less of Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Green Bay, and is just a two-hour drive from Madison, the state's capital city. In Wausau, you will live and work where people come to vacation each year. Whether you're skiing down the slopes of Granite Peak, boating on Lake Du Bay, or enjoying Concerts on the Square or a show at the Grand Theater in downtown Wausau, there's something for everyone, and you will enjoy the community we serve.

Our team works hard to make a positive difference. For 23 years, our Share Your Holidays annual food drive has raised more than $1.6 million to fight hunger across the region we call home. Through our annual WSAW Diaper Drive, we've also collected thousands of diapers and dollars to support local families in need.

Job Summary/Description:

WSAW/WZAW-TV, the Gray Media-owned CBS and FOX affiliate in north central Wisconsin, is seeking its next Creative Services Director to oversee the station's marketing and promotions strategies, elevate our community partnerships, and grow the local business of our clients through commercial production and digital campaigns. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, creative individual with a proven track record of leading and teaching a team, and creating systems to successfully manage multiple projects at once.

WSAW/WZAW-TV is seeking its next Creative Services Director to oversee the station's marketing and promotions strategies, elevate our community partnerships, and grow the local business of our clients through commercial production and digital campaigns. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, creative individual with a proven track record of leading and teaching a team, and creating systems to successfully manage multiple projects at once.

The person we hire must be "hands on" and have a daily, noticeable impact on our own product and client business. You will manage all aspects of commercial production, gaining the trust of our clients and station partners throughout the creative process-from pre to post production.

Internally, you will partner with the General Manager to develop the marketing plan-shaping our strategy and ensuring we're on point and executing our brand, Live. Local. First. You will set new expectations to elevate First Alert Weather and a digital-first philosophy, and produce timely proof of performance spots to set the station apart from competitors.

Within the community, you will serve as a station ambassador-- representing the station professionally and responsibly at a number of events and championing our major initiatives, including our annual Share Your Holidays campaign benefiting local food pantries and the NewsChannel 7 Diaper Drive.

As our Creative Services Director, you will manage a group of creative producers, editors, and videographers. You must be a mentor and inspire excellence, and be willing to hold your team accountable. You will also ensure the Creative Services team is adopting corporate resources and best practices, and that we are a leader within the company and our industry. You are committed to this vision of success.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Manage and oversee the Creative Services Department with integrity. We are looking for a leader who is involved in all facets of the creative process.
- Be a motivator who creates an inspiring and engaging environment, and celebrates creative storytelling on all platforms.
- Collaborate and interact daily with the General Manager and all department heads, including the News Director and Director of Sales, in a mutual effort to achieve station goals, extend our brand, develop long-range plans, and implement station initiatives.
- Strong management, communication, and people skills required to supervise and interact daily with staff and the community in a friendly, respectful manner.
- Communicate often and have a passion for providing consistent, constructive feedback.

Qualifications/Requirements:

- Two years of previous experience managing a team is preferred. Candidates will have a proven track record of overseeing a positive work environment for employees, including those in other departments and externally with clients and partners.
- Ability to manage all aspects of content operations, including financial, technical, and human resources.
- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Radio/TV/Film, or related field.
- Strong, working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite of products and post-production tools: Premiere, After Effects, Audition, and Photoshop.
- High professional standards and above-average proficiency in videography, editing, and related equipment.
- FAA Part 107 Drone License is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
- Experience developing, implementing, and executing strategic plans.
- Strong analytical skills, capable of processing research and ratings data to inform and refine content, coverage, and distribution strategies.
- Must be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of our DMA, key target audiences, and working knowledge of community issues, as well as an unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics and standards.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends for specialized coverage, including live broadcasts and coverage of community events, and/or perform other duties, as assigned, to drive and fulfill the mission while abiding by the values of this organization.
- Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs. of gear.
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record. Motor Vehicle Records check required.
- Must have a desire to win, a positive attitude, and the ability to reflect on your work and apply feedback.

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)

WSAW-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Additional Info:

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.