WPR News Program Director

at  University of WisconsinMadison

JOB SUMMARY:

The WPR News Program Director is chiefly responsible for the audience experience on WPR News, a network with nearly 150,000 weekly listeners. They will manage teams, coordinate special coverage, and implement our promo strategy and partners with the Chief Content Officer to set the broadcast schedule. The WPR News Program Director must keep their feet in both traditional radio and the digital space where an increasing percentage of our audience experiences content. They will also take a lead role in developing new programming. This role will require daily collaboration across multiple departments including news, marketing and development.

EDUCATION:

Preferred
Bachelor’s Degree
With an emphasis in Journalism, Communications or related fields.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Full-time experience in broadcast media.
• Experience managing a team, supporting team members with varying levels of experience.
• Experience with online platforms or digital strategies to grow an audience.
• Proven ability to work in both independent and collaborative settings.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work within tight deadlines and experience managing competing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of journalism ethics.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience reporting or hosting in a live broadcast environment.
• Experience scheduling staff and managing employee performance.
• Knowledge and understanding of Wisconsin news, culture, issues and personalities.
• Experience with document sharing and virtual meeting software (e.g. Microsoft, Slack, Google, etc.)
• Familiarity with common audience metrics.
• Experience with broadcast regulations, including FCC requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of marketing and promotions strategies.
• Experience with budgeting and finance reporting.

Develops, implements, and evaluates programming strategy in support of unit strategic priorities. Directs and coordinates activities of broadcast programming personnel. Evaluates, acquires, and schedules programs, coordinates with other departments, and supervises staff.

• 20% Implements strategic planning initiatives and establishes objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources in alignment with the strategic plan. Advises and assists with developing the overall strategic and operational direction of service
• 10% Evaluates, determines, and acquires content for a variety of media platforms. Maximizes impact by collaborating cross-departmentally among staff
• 5% Develops and administers the annual programming budget including approval and tracking of expenditures
• 10% Determines and maintains appropriate quality and editorial standards for broadcast content including adherence to all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and broadcast standards
• 15% Creates, stewards, and maintains cooperative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, public agencies, and national industry organizations
• 20% Maintains policies and practices to protect the credibility of the unit and the editorial integrity of broadcast talent and reporters
• 20% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees