Chief Content Officer/News Director

Chief Content Officer/News Director

Reports to: President & CEO

Job Overview

WAMC’s next Chief Content Officer and News Director will be someone who is energized by the potential for building new, cross-platform audiences. They will have extensive experience in developing and launching new products, as well as increasing reach and engagement for much-loved existing shows. Someone who loves to collaborate and take calculated risks, this person will lead with clarity and empathy, to inspire and support a uniquely talented editorial staff.

Responsibilities and Duties

• In collaboration with the CEO, design and execute editorial vision that will grow cross-platform audiences for WAMC.
• Develop and launch new content initiatives, with the aim of building diverse audiences and collaborating with regional partners.
• Utilize data to inform programming decisions designed to grow reach, engagement and loyalty.
• Coach and provide guidance on content and format. Inspire staff to produce consistently compelling programming across platforms.
• Foster and grow a diverse team, prioritizing inclusivity and the representation of multiple perspectives.
• Develop and cultivate partnerships with external organizations to extend brand and audience reach; seek out creative ways to maximize impact for WAMC.
• Ensure that all material published meets WAMC standards and practices, including standards of fairness, completeness, independence and impartiality.
• Oversee all content staff schedules, performance management, diversity goals and departmental budgets.
• Supervise at least 6-8 direct reports, including setting goals, tracking performance and preparing regular reviews.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years national journalism experience, with 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Strong news judgment; ability to quickly identify significant stories, coordinate stakeholders, define coverage across news cycles, and lead evolving processes.
• Experience leading a newsroom with multiple deadlines across the day.
• Experience innovating broadcast content for live and on-demand digital audiences.
• Proven ability to achieve agreed outcomes collaboratively within finite timeframes and budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, high-stress environment.
• Flexible, creative, innovative, and adaptable to change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with video platforms.
• Experience with short form social content and strategy.
• Understanding of the U.S. public media ecosystem.

WAMC, established in 1982, is a non-commercial 501(c)(3), public radio station broadcasting twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with a schedule of news, information, music, and cultural programming.  WAMC produces and broadcasts nine locally-aired programs and nine nationally-syndicated programs, which are broadcast by hundreds of radio stations throughout North America and on Armed Forces Radio.  The station’s listening area reaches parts of seven states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; as well as parts of Canada.