Salary: Between $110,000 and $121,000

Benefits: The University of Kansas offers an attractive benefits package that includes leave, health and life insurance, retirement, employee and dependent tuition assistance, and more.  For additional information, visit newhires.ku.edu. 

General Function

The Director of Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas Audio-Reader Network will provide leadership and management of Kansas Public Radio, a seven-station network based in Lawrence at the University of Kansas. The position supervises 25 full- and part time staff, along with student employees and a cadre of volunteers, and serves at the pleasure of the University of Kansas Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs.

The Director has responsibility for day-to-day supervision of all broadcast and non-broadcast activities of Kansas Public Radio and Audio-Reader. This position will prioritize the sustainability and growth of the area’s public radio service so that it may best serve the community and will lead staff and stakeholders in establishing and executing an effective plan to succeed in financial, fundraising, broadcasting, content, and marketing operations at the stations.

Recently celebrating their 70th anniversary, the stations that make up KPR cover all of northeastern Kansas, as well as large portions of Missouri, including Kansas City. In addition to the flagship station, KANU (91.5 FM), KPR also operates full-power stations KANH in Emporia (at 89.7 FM), KANV in Olsburg (at 91.3 FM, serving Manhattan and Junction City), and KANQ in Chanute (at 90.3 FM); and low-power translators K210CR in Atchison (at 89.9 FM), and K258BT (99.5 FM) and K250AY (97.9 FM) in Manhattan.

The Director will be expected to live in or within driving distance of Lawrence and work the majority of the time in-person at Kansas Public Radio’s main facility on the Lawrence campus. Related to this, the Director will need to be available to visit in-person with staff, donors, community leaders and other partners throughout the region as needed.

Kansas Public Radio’s main facility is located on the university’s Lawrence campus near the Jayhawk Welcome Center, which serves as the university’s front door to prospective students, alumni and guests. The facility is just a few blocks from historic Massachusetts Street and the city’s vibrant downtown district.

In terms of reporting structure, KPR falls within the umbrella of the Office of Public Affairs. As such, the Director will have the opportunity to engage with other Public Affairs units as needed, including Marketing, KU News, and Event Management & Protocol.

Job Duties

Financial Management (15%)

The Director is responsible for budgeting and budget tracking, oversight of bookkeeping and audits, maintenance of records, grant tracking and reporting, and financial reporting to the advisory board(s) and granting agencies.

Personnel Management (15%)

The Director is responsible for guiding the work of staff, hiring, training, evaluations, and implementing established University of Kansas personnel policies.

Fundraising (15%)

With 90% of the budget funded by private gifts and/or grants, the Director is responsible for prioritizing and assuring sufficient funds are raised and available for KPR and Audio-Reader operations. The Director is responsible for actively engaging in  grant writing and related reporting activities and maintaining relationships with granting agencies and organizations, along with donor/membership development cultivation and recognition, and establishing and managing fundraising events.

Operations (20%)

The Director has overall responsibility for station programming, local program production, direction of the station's news staff, and compliance with FCC regulations. The Director also is responsible for assuring maintenance and operability of broadcast equipment, and the maintenance and improvement of the station's facilities which include studios and transmitter sites. Operational needs require the Director to develop, implement and oversee various service contracts. The Director has responsibility for the station's IT infrastructure and maintaining and developing the station's website and other "new media." The Director is responsible for strategy development to expand audience and refine programming to meet community and audience interests. The Director is responsible for keeping Kansas Public Radio and Audio-Reader up-to-date with changes and trends in technology, media and public broadcasting as applicable.

Community Outreach (15%)

The Director represents KPR and Audio-Reader to the local community and is responsible for assuring both are responsive to local community needs and concerns. The Director guides KPR and Audio-Reader outreach to members, listeners and the community at large. The Director proactively interacts with local businesses, organizations, schools, other KU departments, and government agencies and institutions to articulate KPR and Audio-Reader’s mission, policies, and strategic direction, and to build collaborative relationships with these entities.

Agency and Other Networking (10%)

The Director serves as the primary communication link to other agencies and organizations involved in reading services for the visually impaired, and public broadcasting. The Director will represent KU’s interests to those agencies and organizations and seek opportunities for partnerships, collaboration or utilizing shared resources.

Advisory Committees (5%)

The Director facilitates preparation of regular financial and station activity reports for the KPR and Audio Reader Advisory Committees. The Director collaborates with the chairs of each committee to create opportunities for committee members to support the missions of KPR and Audio-Reader.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

The Director may be assigned other duties by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs.

Required Qualifications

  • Master's degree and five (5) years of related experience or Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of related experience in broadcasting, business or similar;
  • Five (5) years of progressive leadership responsibility;
  • Seven (7) years of supervisory experience;
  • Experience managing within the radio industry;
  • Experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor/member programs, and event programming;
  • Experience in managing operational activities aligned with budgetary objectives;
  • General technical skills applicable to working with radio technology and the latest trends/technical advances in the industry;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a wide variety of people and interests.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in broadcasting, business or similar;
  • Experience with public radio management and the radio reading industry;
  • Demonstrated experience working with state/national partners, stakeholders and agencies;
  • Experience in working for programs serving people with disabilities;
  • Experience in managing a not-for-profit organization;
  • Utilization of new media technology for program development and/or organizational communication and development;
  • Experience in facility management and operations to coordinate maintenance, utilities and contracts.

How to Apply

Livingston Associates is assisting in this search. To apply, submit a resume and a letter of introduction including your vision for the future of the station and public media and how you will be the ideal person to lead us in achieving that vision. These documents should be uploaded when you apply. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of professional references. 

Application date for full consideration: May 15th, 2023.

Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates at (410) 243-1974.

Additional Information

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).

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