Director of Broadcast Operations and Programming Services

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Director of Broadcast Operations and Programming Services serves as the senior official responsible for oversight of the integrated day to-day broadcast and media distribution operations of WPSU; provides vision, strategic development and oversight of all content distribution across four broadcast television channels, three FM channels, works collaboratively in support of streaming and digital services; and serves as a member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic vision, key performance metrics, strategies and operational guidelines for the organization.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

 

• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic vision, key performance metrics, strategies and operational guidelines for the organization.

 

• Represent the organization's interests by regularly engaging in communications and negotiations with the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio,  the Federal Communications Commission and other organizations as necessary, and ensure compliance with the policies of those organizations.

 

• Regularly engage with key stakeholders including viewer/listeners, donors, advisory board members, businesses, and the community at large to build collaborative relationships and to cultivate awareness and support of the organization.

 

OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT

 

• Oversee and manage the integrated day-to-day broadcast and media distribution operations of WPSU, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, broadcast industry standards, WPSU policies, and safety guidelines.

 

• Oversee and manage program development and production, broadcast engineering and operations, regulatory compliance, and reporting.

 

• Ensure that the stations project an on-air image of high production values and quality of content and that all technical standards are regularly measured and met.

 

• Lead or assist in station development functions. Work to cultivate donor support for new projects and ongoing services. Conceive entrepreneurial projects to generate revenue. Identify funding sources and develop funding proposals.

 

PROGRAMMING AND DISTRIBUTION

 

• Responsible for the vision, strategic development and oversight of all content distribution across our four broadcast television channels, three FM channels and our digital services in order to drive audience growth, diversification, engagement, retention, and financial support.

 

• Implement a cross-platform strategy to acquire, produce and distribute diverse programming content that attracts, maintains, and increases audience, consistent with the organization’s mission and themes, and addresses issues of particular local relevance to the diverse communities we serve.

 

• Negotiate contracts for the acquisition and distribution of program content, manage and ensure compliance with all applicable terms, rights and releases.

 

• Respond to viewer and listener inquiries about programming.

 

SUPERVISION

 

• Provide direct supervision to the TV and FM broadcast operations, traffic, and programming staff, and the News Director.

 

• Ensure that applicable Human Resources and WPSU policies and procedures are followed. Work to identify and resolve related issues.

 

• Create and/or identify development opportunities for staff and training to enhance skills, leadership and foster growth.

 

• Lead and/or participate in interviewing and selection of new employees, work with supervisors, managers, and directors to set performance standards for staff and perform regular and ongoing review and evaluation.

 

• Foster and promote a team environment that celebrates and promotes a culture of diversity, safety and environmental consciousness.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

• Remain competent and current in a rapidly evolving industry through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, presenting at conferences and engaging in other training and personal development opportunities.

 

FINANCIAL

 

• Oversee, develop and administer annual operating budgets that support our broadcast operations and administration, program acquisition, membership affiliation and more.

 

• Lead and/or participate in the planning and coordination of on-air fundraising campaigns as well as general WPSU fundraising efforts.

 

Qualifications

Education: Requires the knowledge obtained by receiving a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.

 

Experience: Proven leadership skills with a minimum of 4 years of experience directly supervising and managing staff. 5 or more years of full-time programming experience with knowledge of public media programs, audiences, editorial standards, and familiarity with ratings data.

 

Technical Skills: Must be technologically savvy, with fluent use of business software systems including Microsoft Office, (Word, Excel), and the ability to use content management systems and software tools.  Experience with and capable of operating digital broadcast equipment required.