Overview
KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle's NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts, and events for the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public.
We have an outstanding opportunity for a KUOW News Director. We are looking for an inspiring, experienced, and mission-driven individual to lead our news division into the next phase of growth and excellence. As an innovative team manager and builder, you will pursue new and exciting ways to make KUOW’s Newsroom even more effective at delivering on its mission. As a persuasive and passionate communicator, you will develop and implement strategies to ensure the long-term success of the News Department and KUOW.
Purpose
The KUOW News Director bears responsibility for the overall quality and performance of the newsroom, including strategy, editorial vision, policies, and priorities. In this role, they lead a team of editors, reporters, and producers, overseeing content assignments and ensuring deadlines are met while upholding journalistic standards. The director’s acumen for news and regional issues is crucial, as they envision ways to incorporate fresh and underrepresented perspectives into our audience’s experience. The role involves managing an annual budget of $3 million, which covers approximately 30 regular employees and $50,000 allocated for training, freelancers, research services, and other necessary expenses.
Job Success Summary
The KUOW News Director shapes the editorial vision and strategy of the newsroom, making critical judgments about which stories to cover and defining our product. The director assesses whether a story is ready for publication or broadcast, ensuring alignment with the station’s mission, goals, and journalistic standards. Editorial discretion includes safeguarding journalistic integrity and ensuring coverage remains independent of funders or the licensee (UW). The role requires strategic planning to balance comprehensive coverage of major events with agility for breaking news. It requires deep knowledge of journalism ethics, capability to create innovative content across platforms, a demonstrated history of attention to racial equity in hiring and editorial practices, and a commitment to community engagement.
Duties & Responsibilities
Direction & Strategy (45%)
- Shape and execute KUOW Newsroom’s editorial vision, strategy, policies, and priorities.
- Direct and lead the News Department to ensure content aligns with the station’s mission, goals, and journalistic standards.
- Oversee overall quality and performance of the station’s news products by evaluating broadcasts, podcasts, and online stories.
- Direct daily news coverage and lead planning for major news events including elections, legislative sessions, or breaking stories.
- Incorporate deep knowledge of community neighborhoods and issues to direct coverage and story selection.
- Develop strategies for reaching diverse audiences and integrating underrepresented viewpoints.
- Integrate newsroom stories with KUOW podcasts to create efficiencies and synergies.
- Determine and coordinate KUOW’s online and digital strategy and collaborate on new digital news products.
- Lead news collaboration efforts with other stations or organizations, including serving as head of the Seattle and Olympia Bureau to the Northwest News Network.
- Implement emergency broadcast strategies for disasters.
Supervision of Newsroom Staff (35%)
- Supervise the newsroom, including editors, reporters, web team, and producers.
- Manage day-to-day news content assignments, production, spotting, and vacation schedules; plan coverage gaps.
- Assign projects or stories and ensure deadlines are met.
- Develop Newsroom staff through coaching, training, and growth opportunities.
- Critique and edit content to enhance stories, ensuring multiple perspectives, accuracy, objectivity, and adherence to KUOW’s standards.
- Recruit, interview, and select candidates to build a diverse newsroom reflective of the community.
- Foster inclusion and participate in racial equity and training opportunities.
- Conduct annual performance evaluations.
Budget & Administration (20%)
- Responsible for all budgeting duties for the newsroom, including personnel costs, training, and other expenses.
- Communicate news initiatives across departments and collaborate with senior management, digital, fundraising, and grant-writing teams while maintaining KUOW’s firewall policy.
- Represent the station for board presentations and occasional public appearances, including on-air fundraising.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisor relationships: Position reports to the Chief Content Officer; supervision exercised over the News Team.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and five years of journalism experience, including newsroom management.
- Experience implementing and/or executing newsroom digital strategy.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated organizational and leadership abilities.
- Equivalent education or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications where legal requirements do not apply.
Preferred
- Broadcast and digital journalism experience.
- Public media experience.
- Budget management and strategic planning experience.
- Experience working with union contracts and representatives.
Working Conditions
- Duties may require evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.
- Open cubicle workspace may involve noise and distractions.
- Some local travel to meet with news sources.
- Position is eligible for Hybrid / Occasional Telework.
Commitment to Diversity and Racial Equity
KUOW and the University of Washington are equal opportunity employers. We value diversity and inclusiveness and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including women, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Application Process
You will be asked to submit a cover letter and a separate Cover Letter Assessment describing your experience with diversity, race, equity, and social justice. The assessment prompts request details about engaging with diverse communities and how you’ve fostered diversity competence. The UW application process may include online assessments (e.g., Work Authorization, Cover Letter). Assessments must be completed to be considered.
Committing to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington expects applicants to share their experiences, perspectives, and identity. The UW is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. For disability accommodations, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu. Applicants may be required to disclose substantiated findings or investigations related to sexual misconduct as per Washington state law.