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 45 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 KCTV:

KCTV5 is the CBS affiliate, serving the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Job Summary/Description:

KCTV5 is looking for a Social Media Producer who can create high-performing, platform-native news content that drives reach, habit, and streaming viewing. This role reports to the Social Media Manager and works in close coordination with the digital desk, assignment desk, reporters, meteorologists, producers, and marketing.

This is not a "clip and post" role. The Social Media Producer will help execute a multi-platform publishing model-building short-form vertical video, breaking-news updates, and explainers designed for TikTok/Instagram/YouTube/Facebook, while using smart packaging and clear calls-to-action that guide audiences to deeper coverage on KCTV5 digital and streaming products.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Produce platform-native short-form video for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook (vertical framing, strong hooks, captions/subtitles, and concise storytelling).
- Execute the "one story, many forms" approach: coordinate with newsroom teams so a single reporting effort becomes multiple social assets (vertical explainer, breaking update(s), behind-the-scenes/process post, and streaming promo) rather than a simple TV repost.
- Support breaking news and severe weather with quick, accurate updates that clearly communicate what's confirmed, what's unknown, and what comes next; publish updates as facts evolve ("stacking updates").
- Package posts for performance: write platform-specific copy, select cover frames, apply appropriate hashtags/location tags, and optimize for each platform's user behavior.
- Collaborate with the Social Media Manager to maintain a consistent brand voice across platforms while tailoring tone and format per platform (informative, human, concise, non-sensational).
- Assist with streaming promotion and audience pathways: use social posts and video to direct audiences to live streams, original streaming franchises, and deeper explainers where appropriate.
- Engage with the audience: monitor and respond to comments/messages using station guidelines; keep comments on when appropriate, use filters, and escalate/hide only when clearly necessary; log FAQs and identify follow-up opportunities.
- Build trust through transparency: incorporate sourcing/verification notes, context, and visible corrections when needed; help produce "how we verified" and "why this matters" mini-content when appropriate.
- Coordinate with digital producers and editors to ensure social content is aligned with newsroom priorities and accurate during developing situations.
- Track performance and refine strategy using analytics (reach, watch time/retention, engagement, follower growth, referral traffic, and streaming clicks/starts where available).
- Work a schedule that supports news (including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays as needed).

Qualifications/Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Digital Media, Communications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 2+ years producing social/digital content for a newsroom, media brand, creator brand, or high-velocity publisher (experience level flexible for the right candidate).
- Strong news judgment and excellent writing/editing skills; ability to work fast without sacrificing accuracy.
- Demonstrated skill in short-form vertical video production (shooting, editing, captions/subtitles, pacing, and platform-native storytelling).
- Working knowledge of social best practices (hooks, captions, thumbnails/cover frames, aspect ratios, accessibility, headline discipline, basic SEO/YouTube packaging).
- Proficiency with basic editing and design tools (e.g., Edius, Adobe, CapCut, Canva, Photoshop, etc.).
- Comfort working in a breaking news environment with rapid decision-making and tight deadlines.
- Strong collaboration skills; comfortable working with anchors, reporters, meteorologists, and producers to create social-first content.
- Experience with comment/community management and applying moderation guidelines consistently.
- Analytics experience (Meta insights, YouTube analytics, social listening tools, Google Analytics/Chartbeat, etc.).
- CMS experience is a plus; ability to publish web updates/push alerts as needed.

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)

KCTV-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.