Director of Programming

About WHYY

WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.

Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast-paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award-winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind-the-scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program. It’s how we live.

About the Role

WHYY’s Director of Programming oversees all aspects of national and local television program scheduling.  The person holding this position strategically evaluates content offerings and creates programming schedules that will increase WHYY’s impact in the community.  They will research, plan, review, acquire and schedule programming for TV12 and whyy.org.

This position functions as a key liaison between Communications, Member Relations, Institutional Advancement – ensuring cross-departmental communication around programming to advance audience, membership and revenue goals and strategies.

The Director will develop relationships in the field with key stakeholders, such as community and media organizations, independent filmmakers, film festivals and others to support the awareness of WHYY programming strategies and initiatives, and work to acquire independent and locally produced content to amplify regional stories.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use audience-centered thinking, research and data to program in a manner that deepens loyalty and engagement of existing viewers, attracts new audiences and increases station revenue.
• Develop and deepen WHYY’s relationship with local filmmakers and community media organizations to amplify regional stories via presentations and co-productions.  Screen programs for inclusion into TV and online platforms.
• Track viewership trends across video platforms, locally and nationally. Monitor program performance via ratings, reporting out on major trends and identifying areas of growth and success. 
• Supervise traffic team, ensuring operations are running smoothly internally and externally with Joint Master Control, adjusting workflows and procedures as needed.
• Work closely with sponsorship and major donor teams around the programming pipeline, collaborating on ways to increase revenue around content.
• Partner with the Communications and Marketing teams on efforts to grow, engage and diversify audiences.
• Maintain relationships with key distributors of public television content (PBS, American Public Television, NETA, BBC). 
• Widen the distribution of WHYY content via online platforms, live streaming services, and other platforms.  Develop relationships with communities & organizations to distribute of locally produced content, such as Hill at Whitemarsh and other continuing care communities.
• Represent WHYY in the community, attending local film festivals, industry conferences and events
• Work with Member Relations to respond to audience inquiries

Education:  Requires the knowledge obtained by receiving a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.

Experience:  Five to six years full-time public TV programming experience, including familiarity with ratings data.

Technical Skills: Must be technologically savvy, with fluent use of business software systems including Microsoft Office, (Word, Excel), and the ability to use content management systems and software tools.  Experience with and capable of operating digital broadcast equipment required.

*All WHYY employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Proof will be required upon hiring.