Station Manager - KBIA-FM/KMUC-FM

NPR-affiliate KBIA and the Missouri School of Journalism are looking for the right candidate to lead our dynamic public radio stations KBIA and Classical 90.5.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about public radio that serves communities while training the next generation of journalists. As the next station manager of KBIA-FM/KMUC-FM you will actively shape the future of this important, award-winning station. KBIA-FM serves mid-Missouri with local news and NPR news /talk programming. Its sister station, KMUC-FM is a 1,900-watt station, known as Classical 90.5, provides classical music programming and NPR headlines. The station also available online and via HD Radio. Both are based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This collaborative station shares a newsroom with KOMU-TV (NBC), The Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine, Missouri Business Alert and a large statehouse bureau. Together they form the Missouri News Network.

The station manager is a full-time, on-site position reporting to the Missouri School of Journalism Dean. The station manager ensures the continued strong financial viability of the stations through extensive donor cultivation, strong pledge drives, exploration of new revenue streams, maintaining and growing high quality programming, and fostering strong community engagement. The station manager oversees an annual budget of $2 million and a current staff of 15. The successful candidate will bring a range of skills and professional experiences to the work. A passion for public radio is critical to success, however direct experience in public radio is not required. We welcome candidates with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences who present a compelling set of skills, experience and vision to lead the stations forward.

Key Skills & Attributes for Success:

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with funders, major donors, local business and sponsors, NPR and CPB, among others to ensure financial stability and success.
• Craft and share compelling stories about KBIA and our mission.
• Manage and oversee the budgets for KBIA and KMUC.
• Engage, mentor and develop staff effectively.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to meet the journalistic coverage and training needs and expectations for the School and communities served.
• Successfully represent the stations and the J-School to external constituencies.
• Navigate the changing media landscape effectively and collaboratively with other media leaders at the School.
• Maintains and continually develops a working understanding of FCC rules, requirements and legal issues

Key Areas of Focus:

• Strategically lead, inspire and manage our market-leading talent and maintain a positive culture where employees are engaged on-air, online, and onsite across all content platforms.
• Collaborate with sales team to provide innovative solutions to clients and create monetizable programs, sponsorships, and events.
• Partner with our development team to drive fundraising efforts for KBIA and KMUC.
• Work closely with the news team and content developers to produce high-quality, relevant, unique and engaging storytelling focused on local stories that sets the station apart from competitors, grow ratings, digital audience, and revenue.
• Regularly interact with all department heads to achieve station and newsroom goals and extend our brands.
• Prioritize collaboration among the Missouri News Network brands to create original programming for all platforms.
• Develop and assist leaders with the creation of the station’s annual budget, monitor budget variances throughout the fiscal year, and revising budget forecasts as needed.
• Oversee Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) annual compliance reporting processes and the Annual Financial Report (AFR) and the Station Activity Survey. Work with appropriate personnel to ensure all required reports and disclosures are properly prepared and appear on the station website. Participate in required training to stay up to date regarding CPB reporting requirements.
• Manage the annual external audit process.
• Ensure efficient workflow, productivity and compliance with university and station policies, procedures, quality standards, deadlines, rules, and regulations. Implement and maintain documentation for unit policies and procedures and quality standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to drive and fulfill the mission while adhering to the values of the University of Missouri and the Missouri School of Journalism.

Shift

Weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and some weekends/nights may be required during pledge drives and other events.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience leading an NPR-member station
• Previous experience in public media management
• Previous experience working in public radio
• Previous experience fundraising for a not-for-profit organization
• At least 5 years of broadcast experience with meaningful management experience

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $80,000 - $130,000
Grade: GGS-12
University Title: Director I Broadcast Operations

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

To apply, please visit https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings and search for Job ID 52572 to access the online application system. Required application materials include a cover letter summarizing qualifications, a resume, and names and contact information for three references.

Application Deadline

September 16, 2024

Other Information
KBIA News is an award-winning, innovative newsroom located in the university town of Columbia, on the campus of the oldest journalism school in the world, the Missouri School of Journalism. Reporters at KBIA News cover this dynamic Mid-Missouri community, coach and edit journalism students, and file reports and features to NPR and other national programs. KBIA News enjoys close collaborations with Missouri public radio stations, the Harvest Public Media and Side Effects Public Media Local Journalism Centers, and with innovative campus organizations such as Investigative Reporters and Editors (I.R.E) and Reynolds Journalism Institute. KBIA staff also lead the way in innovative technologies and storytelling techniques, through community storytelling projects like Missouri Health Talks, and big data projects like Access Missouri. KBIA’s unique relationship with the journalism school means that this role serves on the staff of the Missouri School of Journalism, and the role includes classroom teaching duties as well as supervising and editing Journalism students in the newsroom. This J School partnership allows for an innovative, dynamic news environment that provides opportunities for a hard-working journalist to gain new skills, foster new media relationship and grow professionally. As evidence of all those efforts, in 2020, KBIA was honored with the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence.

Values Commitment:
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen cultural festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

Know Your Rights:
To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• Know Your Rights English Version
• Know Your Rights Spanish Version