Senior Director, Broadcast Programming Strategy

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

As the leading mission-based US broadcaster and distributor, NPR is driving essential listening for tens of millions of people every week. We are looking for an experienced, highly-collaborative, savvy, data-driven, strategic leader to help drive the next phase of NPR broadcast programming strategy and partnerships in support of a thriving public media network that includes more than 250 stations across the country. The Sr. Director will oversee and evolve our portfolio of talk, culture and entertainment radio programs and have a deep understanding of how linear broadcast and digital distribution channels intersect and enhance each other, from radio to apps to smart speakers to streams and podcasts. A key part of the role will be to manage more than a dozen external programming and distribution partnerships, making NPR a best-in-class content partner.  In addition to working collaboratively with divisions across NPR to drive broadcast initiatives and build strong partnerships, the Sr. Director will lead a core team that includes about a dozen staffers devoted to supporting network initiatives. The Sr. Director reports to the SVP Programming and is a member of the programming senior team at NPR, which works to grow and diversify the audience for NPR across radio, podcasting, the web, video and events.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Broadcast strategy:

• Working with colleagues across NPR, develop and support the strategic direction of the NPR broadcast slate beyond the NPR news magazines, with a focus on helping NPR member stations serve diverse audiences that reflect America.
• Drive audience growth for the NPR broadcast portfolio -- and support the growth of station broadcast audiences as a whole -- with a focus on broadcast best practices, promotions, and effective audience engagement strategies on broadcast and beyond. 
• Support leaders across NPR who oversee broadcast programming in making their shows as successful as possible.  
• Working with the Content Development Team and news leadership, develop concepts for new broadcast programming 

 

External content partnerships:

• Oversee and operationalize NPR’s relationships with third party broadcast and podcast producers, making NPR a best-in-class distribution partner.
• Build clear and systematic communication channels with our partners, in collaboration with NPR’s Member partnership team. 
• Steward new broadcast partnerships 
• Support partners in optimizing their content and multi-platform audience experiences in a competitive media environment
• Act as primary liaison with external partners in contract negotiations
• Work with colleagues in business development and the general counsel’s office to develop and execute partnership contracts that align with the strategic goals of NPR 

 

Distribution:

• Lead on content related broadcast distribution issues, including Content Depot operations, FCC compliance and standards.
• Oversee relationship with NPR’s Sirius channel, along with NPR’s other linear content platforms, developing a programming strategy for the services. 

 

Promotion, fundraising & funding credits content:

• Support team in setting strategy for promotional and fundraising content, including custom promos, fundraising campaigns, clip service, day sheet, and other promos as needed for stations
• Support team in overseeing the production of NPR Network audio sponsorship messages for broadcast and podcast

 

Management: 

• Lead a cross-functional team responsible for setting strategy and executing the content of network promotions, fundraising credits and fundraising campaigns.  
• Create a positive, productive, inclusive culture, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
• Develop and mentor direct reports and other Programming staff taking on new responsibilities and developing leadership competencies. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong understanding of the current media landscape, what makes great radio and how it is essential to NPR’s public service mission 
• Understanding of digital distribution strategy of broadcast channels, including apps, smart speakers, streams and podcasts. 
• Experience supporting positive, productive relationships with external and internal partners 
• Experience managing a portfolio of programs
• Ability to thrive in highly matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders
• At least 5 years of experience managing people 
• Minimum of 10 years of media experience
• Proven ability to consistently work as part of a team, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system or similar
• Cultivate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• Cultivate and support an inclusive and equitable workplace culture
• Supervise at least 4-8 direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience with instituting radio best practices, and proven success in growing audience to radio 
• Experience negotiating contracts and agreements 
• Strong planner, with ability to see over the horizon
• Strong written and oral communication skills.  
• Experience managing budgets
• NPR is headquartered in DC and has satellite offices in NY and Culver City, CA.  We prefer a candidate who can eventually work from one of those locations. 

 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All applications must include a resume and cover letter to be considered. 

NPR mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law and any other applicable law.

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NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.