The Director of News leads the operations of the KPBS newsroom, providing strategic leadership, ensuring journalistic standards, and exhibiting editorial judgment and oversight across multiple platforms. Reporting to the Chief Content Officer, this position supervises the Managing Editor and the Newsroom Office Manager and guides a newsroom composed of editors, reporters, producers, videojournalists, anchors, and hosts.
The Director of News is responsible for articulating and establishing a news vision and charting strategic efforts as well as aligning the newsroom with organizational goals, ensuring a focus on serving the public and fulfilling the organization’s mission. The incumbent will provide excellent leadership, foster an environment of belonging, and ensure quality and integrity are central to the work of the department.
Responsible for the newsroom budget, strategic plans, and annual goals, this position leads the development and implementation of measurable strategies for audience growth and analyzes and responds to trends in public media and the general media landscape. The Director of News is expected to engage throughout the organization, partnering with Management Council, members of the Leadership Team, and other departments as well as directly with the community, donors, and campus partners.
The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.
The Director of News is responsible for but not limited to:
Leadership (60%)
- Manage newsroom leadership and staff to ensure quality across all platforms while establishing and integrating a unified editorial vision into all reporting and programming
- Provide and set clear editorial priorities to news leaders and news staff and effectively communicate organizational goals
- Develop and establish effective engagement and feedback efforts and strategies to ensure effective communication throughout all levels of the newsroom
- Establish, communicate, and ensure journalistic standards are met by each member of the newsroom. Guide managers and staff on NPR Guidelines and other journalistic standards
- Lead the continuous assessment and refinement of news coverage to identify growth opportunities, better serve the community, and distinctively position KPBS ahead of the competition
- Lead the development of a digital-centered approach and strategy that can be developed, implemented, and refined throughout the newsroom
- Provide leadership and guidance to news leaders regarding management, supervision, union contract requirements, and organizational expectations
- Ensure leadership development and training of news managers as well as effective teamwork, communication, and collaboration among newsroom staff
- Provide strategic guidance and support for departmental professional development and training efforts
- Ensure accountability regarding deadlines, budgets, quality, and mission alignment
- Support innovation in storytelling and throughout the newsroom. Partner with other departments and build cases for support as needed
- Foster an environment of belonging where different identities and perspectives are respected
- Serve as a member of the KPBS Leadership Team and engage with departments throughout the organization
- Review and approve sensitive, high-profile, and/or legally complex stories
- Oversee corrections, clarifications, and accountability procedures. Ensure accountability procedures are established and communicated
- Lead ethical decision-making during breaking news, crisis coverage, and potentially controversial reporting
- Identify and address conflicts of interest and potential concerns promptly
- Develop and maintain relationships with SDSU and SDSURF and campus stakeholders as well as external organizations and communities
Administration & Compliance (35%)
- Develop annual goals and objectives and ensure implementation and accountability across the news team
- Develop and implement initiatives that increase trust and engagement with the community
- Develop, establish, and implement departmental practices and procedures in partnership with Management Council and People & Culture
- Lead and oversee efforts to reduce bias in reporting and editorial decision making
- Ensure accessibility standards are considered in efforts throughout the newsroom
- Oversee the development of emergency coverage plans and continuity planning
- Review and vet contracts with external vendors such as the Associated Press, legal services, etc.
- Prepare and analyze budgets and grants to comply with organizational protocols and identify operational efficiencies
- Provide guidance on internal staffing needs and salaries for annual budget process and throughout the year
- Monitor and share industry trends relating to staffing, engagement, and organizational culture and associated costs
- Establish productive working relationships with union stewards and leadership and collaborate with People & Culture on labor-management contract implementation
- Identify and develop innovative approaches to problem resolution that align with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and precedence
- Promote and encourage cross-platform collaboration as well as the use of the station’s facilities, tools, and equipment
- Monitor on-air and online content for legal compliance
- Ensure compliance with copyright and privacy laws, FCC regulations, public records laws, and applicable media laws
- Ensure newsroom managers and supervisors are in compliance with CSU, SDSU, SDSURF, state, and federal policies, statutes, and laws
Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)
- Actively promote KPBS in the wider community
- Attend and host events that occur on nights and weekends, as needed
