Managing Director, The Current

Who We Are:

The Current began broadcasting in 2005 as a non-commercial, member-supported radio station based in Minneapolis / St. Paul, heard on 89.3 KCMP FM. Since then, the station has grown into a far-reaching community with members and listeners joining in from around the world. The Current brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic. 

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is one of the nation's premier public radio stations producing programming for radio, digital and live audiences and operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. Reaching 1 million listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services 'MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current' produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. 

Your Role: 

As the Managing Director, you are responsible for the overall strategy, vision, direction and leadership of The Current.  The Managing Director of The Current provides visionary and strategic program development, new product and new revenue development, and operational leadership for one of the preeminent contemporary AAA music services within the public broadcasting system. You will ensure that the work of The Current serves MPR's broader mission to serve more people by "enriching the mind, nourishing the spirit, enhancing the lives and expanding the perspectives of our audiences; and assisting them strengthening their communities."  In this critical role, you will cultivate frequent interaction with a broad range of constituents such as audiences, artists, funders, content partners, as well as business and community leaders.  You will advance and accelerate The Current's role as a leader in music discovery via broadcast, digital media, live events, talent development, strategic partnerships, and product portfolio growth. 

This is an exciting opportunity in which you will develop strategies and operational planning to expand audience growth.   Areas of focus include developing new audience intelligence, new revenue streams, new content development, product marketing, talent development, digital products and strategy, and live events. 

In this role, you will be expected to lead directly and effectively the broadcasting, music, digital, marketing, and content creation staff to align The Current's presence and impact across all platforms. You will be expected to be a strong team player who contributes to a collective product vision which will be expressed clearly in the Current's activities and audience service. 

As a key leader of the organization, you are vital to the success of APMG's diversity and inclusion efforts, which touch every part of the organization from content and programming to internal staffing. The Current's future success depends upon the collective ability to identify audiences, meet their expectations, and serve more people in new and sustainable ways. 

You are responsible for leading and developing staff and managing the overall audience experience of The Current.  This is an opportunity to work creatively and collaboratively with management and staff to ensure that The Current's audiences experience a cohesive and complimentary music discovery experience which will enable audience growth and revenue. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Hire and lead music, programming, digital content, and other key staff
  • Establish a culture of engagement, fostering innovation and inspiring creativity and collaboration across the organization
  • Ensure diversity in the composition of The Current staff (on air, online, and production)
  • Align job responsibilities and staff skills to maximize effectiveness
• Assume primary responsibility for The Current's revenue, products, branding, events, content, and annual goals.
  • Ensure that The Current leads music discovery in quality, impact, audience, on the air and online.
  • Lead and develop the music services (broadcast, streams, video, digital products, events) to serve existing and new curious music audiences.
  • Develop new digital offerings, live events, programs, podcasts, streams, video products and utilize emerging technology, with support from other departments.
  • Coordinate programming for on-air fundraising and develop programs to enable philanthropic development.
  • Develop strategies to enable partner growth, and new revenue creation.
  • Forge partnerships and broker relationships with external parties and partners who can advance The Current's mission and strategic plan.
• Collaborate/integrate workflow with digital/social communications staff to achieve effective integration of radio and digital services to grow audience on all delivery platforms, including On-Demand listening/viewing, streams, videos, and events.
• Collaborate with Live Programming and Events on schedules for The Current's public and live events.
• Collaborate with content leaders across the APMG companies on shared Content Initiatives.
• Serve as an advocate and public spokesperson for The Current in the community.
• Effectively manage expenses within a complex budget structure, ensuring that operating budget and revenue goals are met.
• Propose and achieve measurable internal success criteria.
• Collaborate with the leaders of MPR's other regional services to maximize MPR's public service.
• Work collegially and effectively with leaders across the APMG organization as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
• Stay abreast of innovations in the music, content and media world, including delivery systems and new distribution platforms in order to maintain industry-leading technical systems and processes.
• Support the diversity & inclusion (D&I) goals of APMG by: actively participating in and promoting company D & I efforts, practices and policies; encouraging staff to become ambassadors of D&I goal achievement; incorporating D&I principles into staffing decisions; and seeking to expand personal/professional networks and potential hiring pools to include diversity.
• Hire, supervise, train and manage direct staff through coaching, mentorship, performance meetings and on-going feedback. Involve HR on performance issues as needed.
• Foster a creative and productive work environment. Create development opportunities and individualized development plans for staff and training to enhance skills and foster growth.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• 10 or more years of significant content and music leadership experience, ideally in the top 20 media markets in the U.S.
• Background in media marketing and/or digital leadership, ideally in the top 20 media markets in the U.S.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience managing new product development, creating partnerships, business planning, and revenue growth.
• 5 or more years of supervisory and talent management experience. Must demonstrate an ability to foster high standards and an ability to coach, inspire and lead.  
• Broad background in contemporary music, live events, or a related public service arena. 

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Passion for new music discovery, public service and community involvement.
• Vision for attracting new audiences to The Current across all its broadcast, digital, and event properties.
• Demonstrated ability to think broadly and creatively, and to embrace new ideas.
• Innovation and creativity in leading a large, talented staff.
• Demonstrated strong professional initiative, bearing and confidence.
• Strong verbal presentation and writing skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and personnel skills and ability to motivate staff and others.
• Ability to embody and reflect the values of MPR.
• Able to honor a high degree of confidentiality. 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated success as a broadcast or media programmer and leader.
• Demonstrated passion for new music, music discovery, and related digital-social-mobile content.
• A keen understanding of strategic promotions, communications, audience development, and revenue growth.
• Must have a demonstrated track record of leadership in building audiences through effective content creation and programming, managing multiple priorities, and bringing new concepts to fruition.
• Nonprofit working experience and/or business knowledge of the non-profit sector
• Experience and success with fundraising and revenue development.
• Proven success as an inspiring, empowering leader who is committed to employee growth and development.
• Extensive personal experience as a consumer/user of digital-social-mobile media, publishing, and other electronic information and emerging communication technologies.
• Experience with Live Events as potential for audience engagement and service. 

Reports To:                 SVP, GM, CTO 

Reporting To This Position: (4) 

Direct Reports:            

• Music Director
• Radio Program Director
• Senior Producer, The Current
• Managing Digital Producer, Music (dual-reporting)
• Oversight of The Current's programming including on-air, online, events, promotions, and marketing. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Physical Demands: 
  • Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time
  • Required to move about in the community
  • Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping.  
• Working Conditions: 
  • Moderate noise level
  • Occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply.

groups to apply.