KUOW News Director

Job Description

Job Description

233238

KUOW NEWS DIRECTOR  (click to apply)

KUOW / PSPR

04/15/2024

Benefits:As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

ABOUT KUOW

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. Additionally, 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 plays the leading role in shaping the editorial vision and strategy of the newsroom. This involves making critical judgments about which stories to cover, ultimately defining our product. The director must assess whether a story is ready for publication or broadcast, ensuring alignment with the station’s mission, goals, and journalistic standards. The News Director’s editorial discretion also involves safeguarding journalistic integrity and ensuring that our coverage remains uninfluenced by the agendas of funders or the licensee (UW). Additionally, strategic planning is essential, balancing comprehensive coverage of major events like elections while remaining agile enough to respond swiftly to breaking news. This position must have deep knowledge of and commitment to the tenets and ethics of journalism and the role of journalism in society; know how to create innovative content on all platforms; have a demonstrated history of attention to racial equity in hiring and editorial practices and an understanding and commitment to community engagement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Direction & Strategy: (45%)

• Shape and execute KUOW Newsroom’s editorial vision, strategy, policies, and priorities.
• Direct and lead overall efforts of the News Department and ensure that content is consistent with the station’s mission, goals, and journalistic standards.
• Responsible and accountable for overall quality and performance of the station's news products by evaluating KUOW’s broadcast shows, podcasts, and online stories.
• Direct daily news coverage and lead planning for major news events including elections, legislative sessions, or breaking stories.
• Understand and incorporate deep knowledge of community neighborhoods, issues, and other special characteristics of the area to direct coverage and story selection.
• Develop strategies for implementing journalism that reaches diverse audiences and integrate new and historically underrepresented viewpoints.
• Strategically integrate newsroom stories with KUOW’s podcasts, including Seattle Now, to create efficiencies and synergies in our content.
• Determine, oversee, and coordinate KUOW’s online and digital strategy and collaborate on new digital news products.
• Seek out and lead news collaboration efforts with other stations or organizations, including serving as the head of the Seattle and Olympia Bureau to the Northwest News Network.
• Implement emergency broadcast strategies in the event of natural or human-made disasters.

Supervision of Newsroom Staff: (35%)

• Supervise the newsroom, including editors, reporters, web team, and producers.
• Manage day to day news content assignments, production, spot, and vacation schedules, and plans for coverage gaps.
• Assign projects or stories and ensure that deadlines are met.
• Develop Newsroom staff by coaching, training, and providing growth opportunities.
• Critique and edit content to enhance stories, assuring reporters/editors include multiple perspectives while maintaining accuracy, objectivity, and adherence to KUOW’s journalistic standards.
• Recruit, interview, and select candidates for the newsroom, assuring a diverse team that reflects the community and perspectives that serve KUOW’s audience.
• Foster a sense of inclusion, participate in racial equity and training series and learning opportunities.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations.

Budget & Administration (20%)

• Responsible for all budgeting duties associated with running the newsroom, including personnel costs, training, research services, and other expenses.
• Proactively communicate news initiatives and community efforts across departments and collaborate closely with senior management, the digital department, and fundraising and grant-writing teams personnel while maintaining KUOW’s firewall policy.
• Make board presentations and occasional public appearances on behalf of the station, including on-air fundraising.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Position reports to the Chief Content Officer

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision of News Team

Requirements include:

• Bachelor's degree and five years of journalism experience to include newsroom management experience.
• Experience implementing and/or executing newsroom digital strategy.
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Demonstrated organizational and leadership abilities.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

• Broadcast and digital journalism experience.
• Public Media experience.
• Budget management and strategic planning experience.
• Experience working successfully with union contracts, representatives and members.

Working Conditions:

• Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work when necessary to meet critical deadlines.
• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
• Requires some local travel to attend station events to meet with news sources.
• Position is suitable/eligible for Hybrid/Occasional Telework.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND RACIAL EQUITY

KUOW and the University of Washington are equal opportunity employers. KUOW is dedicated to building a culturally diverse staff and creating a working environment that promotes racial equity and inclusiveness. We believe attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. Women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and veterans are highly encouraged to apply.

Application Process:

You will be asked to submit a cover letter AND your response (in a separate “Cover Letter Assessment” to the following (limited to 7900 characters):

“We would like to know more about your experience with diversity, race and equity, and social justice. Please tell us about your experience engaging and working with diverse communities – particularly in the context of your professional, volunteer, or civic work. Please also address efforts you have made or been involved with to foster diversity competence and understanding.”

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These may include Work Authorization,  Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready.  Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.