Blue Ridge Public Radio seeks a news director

We are seeking a collaborative, journalism leader to join our team as News Director. You’ll lead a team of hosts, reporters, freelancers and interns to leverage audience centric tactics to develop local, accountability journalism that responds to community information needs with context, nuance and people-centered storytelling. You’ll support inclusive engagement and solutions journalism practices and continue to build partnerships with media organizations across the state.

The News Director supervises approximately four full-time news positions, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reports to BPR’s CEO and General Manager.
The qualifications below are an example of skills that are key to this position. We welcome the opportunity to learn about other skills and experience levels that would make this a mutual fit. We are open to providing radio host and audio training to candidates who bring strong journalism management skills from another medium.

We’re looking for candidates with:
• Five (5) or more years of editorial leadership experience, with at least three (3) years in news management or applicable expertise.
• Three (3) or more years of practice in digital journalism that targets audience with targeted content.
• Three (3) or more years demonstrated experience editing short and long-form stories on radio and digital platforms from beats covering politics and science, to education and the arts.
• Demonstrated news judgement, ethics and creative approaches to storytelling.
• Proven excellence in interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with and commitment to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion in content, staff and community partnerships.
• Critical thinking skills that support thought leadership.
• Experience in and passionate about coaching and mentoring others.
• Capacity to balance day-to-day coverage demands, with longer-term planning and strategy.
• On-air experience or a willingness to learn.
• An ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment where attention to detail and accuracy is key.
• Professionalism: punctual, reliable, and willing to occasionally work weekend and evening hours.

In this role, you will:

• Lead (40%)
  o Set strategic priorities and performance goals aligned to targeting audience with targeted content on multiple platforms.
  o Implement the strategic plan for news content.
  o Serve as the primary keeper and champion of BPR’s editorial integrity and independence standards.
  o Serve as primary news editor, with responsibility for ensuring all news content is accurate, ethical, engaging, and aligned to the NPR Code Ethics for Journalists.
• Manage (20%)
  o Structure department to meet news and information needs of the audience.
  o Manage news department staff of approximately four as well as contributors, including providing feedback and annual performance reviews.
  o Recruit and hire news positions and make budgeting recommendations to supervisor on personnel decisions.
  o Work with supervisor to create news budget and manage it throughout the year.
• Plan and implement coverage (25%)
  o Set BPR’s news agenda; plan daily and long-range news coverage (including crises and breaking news situations) on all platforms and oversee BPR’s local news projects.
  o Report as needed.
• Coordinate engagement in the community and lead collaboration in news (15%)
  o Works with relevant staff to create opportunities to solicit feedback and reflect community input on news coverage priorities.
  o Works with relevant staff to identify and build news-related partnerships and collaborations with other media and/or with community organizations.
  o Oversee and/or directly manages BPR’s participation in such collaborations.
  o Collaborates with NPR and other national outlets on news coverage as appropriate.

What we’ll provide:
• Investment in your professional growth through coaching, training and professional development.
• A design-thinking, collaborative environment where risk, innovation and growth is fostered.
• A commitment to continue and build our diversity, equity and inclusion work in content, staffing, board representation, and community partnerships.
• State of the art broadcast facility completely remodeled in 2020.

Salary range is $80,000-$95,000 per year based on experience.

For more details click here.