NEWS DIRECTOR

Company: Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Location: Aspen
Posted on: May 3, 2021

Job Description:

"A Private Corporation Funded by the American People" Join a solid, growing, public media organization in one of the most awe-inspiring and world-renowned culturally rich areas of the country - the heart of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. Home to many organizations and internationally known festivals such as The Aspen Institute, Ideas Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and School, Aspen Film Festival, Rocky Mountain Institute, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, and The Wheeler Opera House. The area features gourmet dining, art galleries, an airport, and hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, camping, climbing, skiing, kayaking, rafting, and world-class fly fishing, as well as one of the most photographed parts of the country; The Maroon Bells mountain peaks. Our service area is Aspen to Glenwood Springs; Rifle to Eagle. The News Director is the leader and chief editor of Aspen Public Radio's newsroom, overseeing news staff, production, and output of news on all platforms. We seek a sharp, curious, hard-working, team-oriented person who is excited by new media ideas, experimenting, and helping to design and grow an evolving organization. Primary Functions Sets strategic priorities and goals for the news operation to serve the public, including platform, topics and beats, and geographic coverage priorities. Ensures all Aspen Public Radio news content is accurate, engaging, ethical, and produced with the highest standards of professional journalism. Editor: Assigns and edits reporters on a daily basis, overseeing the quality of news content from features and series to spots and breaking news; serves as the ultimate gatekeeper and "final say" over what story ideas should be pursued. Management: Possesses strong leadership skills, including the ability to lead an effective team by teaching, training, and developing journalists, as well as executing the vision for the news department. The news director will effectively communicate, be an active listener who can readily adapt to and champion change, develop and manage collaborative partnerships, set goals, hold team members responsible, and achieve results. Community Engagement: Works with the development and community engagement manager and program manager on developing and executing regular, meaningful, and engaging news events throughout our listening area such as town hall meetings, debates, community forums, listening sessions, etc. Duties: Design and implement story editing processes, quality standards and other aspects related to the allocation of story production and priority Manage and coach a team of three staff reporters; manage occasional interns and freelancers Edit the news staff on a daily basis Assign reporting and producing tasks including special series and projects Responsible for producing their own regular reporting as time allows, but editing is the main priority Assist in developing, and ultimately overseeing the implementation of the editorial focus, process, and design Develop (with the program manager) and oversee the execution of a content distribution strategy to include broadcast, podcast, digital content, and social media Work with the news team and regional NPR editors to consistently participate in nationalizing a local story Create, maintain and execute coverage plans for developing and breaking news Attend major donor and public events, regularly participate in on-air fundraising and grant writing/reporting as needed Represent the news division as required at board meetings and other presentations Occasional host fill-in work Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications: At least two years of team management and editorial experience A least two years of audio news production and reporting Leadership, management, training and collaboration skills Strong news gathering skills and in-depth knowledge of journalism ethics and practices Strong time management skills A commitment to helping develop skills in less-experienced reporters Preferred Qualifications: Deep understanding of the purpose and mission of public broadcasting Public Radio experience Some hosting experience Knowledge of Western Slope Colorado and issues of the West Content collaboration experience Spanish language skills Understanding of and use of metrics in decision-making Please send a cover letter, resume, three examples of your audio work, and three references to with News Director in the subject line. No phone calls, please. This is a full-time salaried position office position, reporting to the Executive Director, requiring availability for weekend, day, and evening reporting/supervising/events. Full-year residence in Aspen or downvalley communities is required. A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. Aspen Public Radio offers full-time staff benefits, including employer-paid health insurance, 403(b) match, life/disability insurance, and paid vacation. Relocation stipend available. Bus and ski pass financing and shared passes to world-class events such as the Aspen Film Festival, Aspen Institute Ideas Festival and Classical Music Festival are available. This position is based at our Aspen, CO studios (currently remote working due to COVID-19.) Salary range is $65,000 - $76,000 (est.) annually. Position opened until filled. Corporation for Public Broadcasting "A Private Corporation Funded by the American People"

Keywords: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Aspen , NEWS DIRECTOR, Other , Aspen, Colorado