Creative Services Director

Creative Services Director

KMBC 9 and KCWE 29, the Hearst‑owned ABC and CW affiliates in Kansas City, are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as Creative Services Director. This is a rare and compelling opportunity to join an award‑winning station with a long‑standing track record of excellence, while building a career in one of America's most livable and exciting cities. Our current Creative Services Director is moving on to a larger Hearst Television market after eight successful years leading our creative efforts.

This role offers the chance to step into a well‑respected, high‑performing operation and continue to elevate a powerful local brand. The Creative Services Director must be a strong manager and brand storyteller who can drive impactful, research‑driven marketing campaigns that connect the KMBC/KCWE brands with the Kansas City community across multiple platforms including television, digital, social, paid media, streaming, and OTT.

You will be a hands‑on, forward‑thinking leader who embraces the latest industry marketing trends while managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. You will elevate the look, feel, and voice of one of the market's leading news operations while inspiring and developing a high‑performing, award‑winning creative team.

• Affordable Cost of Living: Enjoy a lower cost of living compared to coastal markets, with affordable housing, short commutes, and a high standard of living.
• Thriving Creative & Cultural Scene: Home to a growing creative community, world‑class arts institutions, live music, and nationally recognized museums.
• Sports Town Energy: From the Kansas City Chiefs to the Royals, Sporting KC, and college athletics, Kansas City's sports culture fuels year‑round excitement and civic pride.
• Food & Lifestyle Destination: Famous for barbecue but celebrated far beyond it, Kansas City boasts an award‑winning culinary scene, craft breweries, and vibrant neighborhoods.
• Central
  
  Location:
  
  Easy nationwide travel through a modern international airport and a location ideal for weekend getaways.
• Family‑Friendly & Community‑Focused: Strong neighborhoods, excellent schools, abundant parks, and a genuine sense of community.

This role offers not just the chance to lead creative excellence at a top‑performing station but to build a life in a city that people genuinely love to call home.

• Create, lead, and execute the brand marketing strategies for KMBC 9, and associated digital platforms, including Very Local.
• Partner closely with the KCWE Promotions Manager to ensure cohesive, strategic branding and promotion across both stations.
• Develop innovative, multi‑platform strategies to grow brand awareness, audience engagement, and ratings.
• Oversee the creative team in producing brand‑focused station image, news, weather, targeted special reports, daily topicals, digital/streaming, programming, and special event campaigns.
• Oversee the Commercial Production team to ensure the creation of impactful, results‑driven marketing for local advertisers.
• Inspire, mentor, and grow the creative skillsets of the Creative Services and Commercial Production teams.
• Serve as liaison with networks, syndicators, and the Director of Community Partnerships on promotional initiatives and station public service.
• Manage promotional inventory across KMBC, digital platforms, and multicast channels.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual department budget and expenses.

• 5+ years of experience in television station marketing, promotion, or brand management.
• Proven ability to lead creatively while using research and data to achieve station goals.
• Strong writing, producing, and storytelling skills.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, videography, photography, Wide Orbit, and ENPS.
• Ability to conceive, evaluate, and refine creative concepts and graphic designs for internal and external branding.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with newsroom leadership and interdepartmental teams.
• Valid driver's license (hire contingent on good driving record).
• Relevant college degree preferred or equivalent professional experience.
• Equivalent…