Description
Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR), the nonprofit public media company of Western North Carolina, is searching for a Director of Audience & Content. The Director of Audience & Content sets strategic priorities and performance goals aligned to growing BPR's audience across multiple platforms. They lead multiplatform content strategy spanning broadcast, digital, social, podcasts, newsletters, and on-demand programming, and serve as the primary driver of audience development and engagement across BPR's services.
The Director of Audience & Content oversees the acquisition, scheduling, and promotion of all music and non-news content, directs on-air sound and imaging, and plays a key role in shaping BPR's relationship with the communities it serves. They partner with senior leaders in News, Development, and Business Sponsorship to ensure organizational strategies in on-air fundraising and community engagement are coordinated and effective.
The Director of Audience & Content supervises on-air, operations, and digital staff members, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reports directly to BPR's CEO and General Manager.
The Director of Audience & Content supervises on-air, operations, and digital staff members, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reports directly to BPR's CEO and General Manager.
Strongly Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
Five (5) or more years of editorial or content leadership experience, with at least three (3) years in audience development, programming, or applicable management expertise.
Three (3) or more years of experience leading multiplatform content strategy, including digital, audio, social, and on-demand platforms.
Three (3) or more years of demonstrated experience in broadcast programming, on-air production, or content scheduling.
Proven ability to lead and develop creative teams, fostering collaboration within the organization and across external partners.
Experience with audience analytics and using data to drive content and engagement decisions.
Requirements
What you'll do at BPR
Leadership
Set strategic priorities and performance goals for audience growth across broadcast, social, and digital platforms.
Determine and implement audience growth strategies across all platforms.
Serve on BPR's Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and direction.
Analyze and report on key audience metrics to inform content and audience development strategies aligned to advancing organizational goals.
Lead multiplatform content strategy, including podcasts, newsletters, on-demand programming, and emerging formats.
Management
Structure the department to meet the information and cultural needs of BPR's audience.
Recruit, retain, supervise, and coach a diverse team of announcers, producers, and hosts (approximately four); manage announcer scheduling.
Provide consistent airchecks for on-air hosts and announcers.
Provide annual performance reviews for direct reports.
Develop and manage the audience and content department budget, including making budgeting recommendations to supervisor on personnel decisions.
Audience Development and Engagement
Oversee strategy for stationality and promotion.
Work closely with the Director of Donor Engagement and relevant staff to execute on-air fundraising plans; direct the sound and tone of on-air fundraising, including business sponsorships
Work with team members to produce newsletters, align social media distribution, and advance SEO strategy.
In collaboration with the News Director, facilitate partnerships with other media organizations in the region and state.
Work with relevant staff to identify and build content and community-related partnerships and collaborations with other media and community organizations.
Oversee and/or directly manage BPR's participation in such collaborations.
Collaborate with NPR and other national outlets on content as appropriate.
Content Development and Programming
Create and sustain an inclusive, ongoing content development process that enables innovative ideas and inspires creative people.
Lead the editorial process, planning, and execution of all BPR original non-news content.
Coordinates the promotion of local and regional news and music content across multiple platforms and audiences; oversee the acquisition, scheduling, distribution, and promotion of all national music and news content; oversee program schedules for BPR's news and music services.
Review all sponsorship copy for FCC compliance, and on-sound.
Review all on-air copy for fundraising and facilitate coordination of on-air promotions.
Negotiate external content partnerships and work with the full BPR management team to develop business models that support content production.
Serve as backup host/announcer as needed.
Additional duties include:
Represent the station by attending BPR functions and participating in speaking engagements
Work extended hours as needed, including evenings and weekends
Regional and national travel as needed
All other duties as assigned
