Program Director

Position OverviewKansas Public Radio (KPR), a public media organization licensed by the University of Kansas and serving Eastern and East Central Kansas, is in search of a Program Director. The KPR Program Director is responsible for supervising and coordinating the station’s eclectic on-air programming that includes local and NPR news, classical, jazz and folk music, community programming and more. The Program Director leads a team of local hosts and stays on top of listener and media trends to ensure the station’s relevance in a changing media landscape. Duties include supervising on-air talent, scheduling program times and air shifts, producing on-air content for campaigns, and filling in for program hosts and producers as needed. In addition, the Program Director produces local programming, serves as a senior staff member, corresponds with listeners regarding station programming and represents Kansas Public Radio at station events.Job Description50% - Oversees station production, operations, and on-air staff, analyzing and interpreting audience data, and working with management to make programming decisions in response to audience analysis. Sets and manages annual departmental budget and approves expenses. Determines program selection and acquisition, and supervises news, music and entertainment programming on Kansas Public Radio. Directs announcers and producers concerning content and presentation by conducting regular air checks, providing consistent feedback, hiring all announcers and producers and conducting annual review of programming staff members. Collaborates with the Director and other staff on programming and the future of the station.

30% - Develops, produces and hosts original programming for Kansas Public Radio. Records corporate sponsorship scripts for spots that air during news magazines.

10% - Schedules program broadcast times and air shifts, and fills in for program hosts and producers as needed.

10% - Serves as producer for the on-air portion of Kansas Public Radio fundraising drives. Attends Kansas Public Radio staff and advisory board meetings, and represents Kansas Public Radio at station events. Other appropriate duties as assigned.Position RequirementsMust be available after regular business hours to help address station emergencies and occasional severe weather coverage as needed.Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in broadcasting, or a related field, and five (5) years of experience in broadcasting, OR a high school diploma and nine (9) years of experience in broadcasting.
• Three (3) years of experience as a producer of non-commercial radio programming.
• Two (2) years of experience managing local and network programming.
• Knowledge of public radio and audience research as evidenced by application materials.
• Strong announcing skills and knowledge of FCC regulations as evidenced by application materials and air check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising on-air talent.
• Previous experience as a public radio program director as evidenced by application materials.
• Demonstrable working knowledge of classical music as evidenced by application materials. Knowledge of jazz or folk music is also desirable.
• One (1) year of experience as a mentor or supervisor.
• Demonstrable understanding of public media journalism standards as evidenced by application materials.

Additional Candidate InstructionsIn addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume/CV.
• Contact information for three professional references
• Please submit professional aircheck to KPR Director, Feloniz Lovato-Winston, via email: ***email_hidden***.

All applications must include an aircheck in mp3 format – applications not accompanied by an aircheck will not be considered.

Application review begins Monday, June 15th. For consideration, please apply no later than Sunday, June 14th. Contact Information to ApplicantsFeloniz Lovato-Winston

***email_hidden***

(785) 864-5968Advertised Salary Range$75,000 - $80,000Application Review BeginsMonday June 15, 2026Anticipated Start DateMonday July 13, 2026Apply to Job