News Director
Yellowstone Public Radio - Montana State University Billings
Billings
,
MT
Application Deadline: Monday, Oct 16, 2023
Description
Yellowstone Public Radio is seeking a News Director to steer daily and long term news coverage for our Montana and northern Wyoming audience. The News Director is based in Billings, Mont., and currently oversees two host/reporters and two reporters, one of whom works remotely in another city. YPR is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff whose perspectives are heard and valued. An ideal candidate has experience managing a team, maintaining a robust regional news service, and furthering the mission of public radio. YPR’s newsroom seeks to amplify diverse voices and prioritizes collaboration within our organization and partner outlets in service to our listeners.
Duties & Responsibilities
* Develops, creates, and implements YPR’s news reporting strategies and goals. Responsible for the development, management, production, and editing of regional news programming. Directs a team of news reporters and freelance content providers. Plans news program specials and series. Supervises the coverage of statewide elections. Supervises the coverage of state legislative sessions. Schedules and implements news content for broadcast and digital platforms. Oversees and implements the news department’s contributions to social media platforms.
* Supervises news department employees, student workers, and interns under the direction of the General Manager. Assigns stories and oversees news employee pitches. Supervises the training of news department employees and evaluates employee performance and, when necessary, recommends disciplinary actions. Supervises the purchase of audio recording equipment, audio editing software, and other equipment required for news reporting.
* Maintains the editorial integrity and professionalism of YPR’s newsroom. Responsible for the factual reporting of the news. Directs news department employees on editorial best practices. Maintains an updated resource on publishing guidelines. Responsible for communication with YPR listeners regarding YPR’s news reporting. Supervises any retractions, corrections, or other modifications to broadcast or published content when necessary.
* Daily, oversees the meetings and correspondence necessary to plan and implement the day’s news reporting. Supervises reporters on sources, story direction, fact-checking, and either edits or provides an editor for each story. Oversees the transition from broadcast story to published story on YPR’s digital platforms. Coordinates YPR’s Twitter feed. In coordination with Montana Public Radio’s News Director, oversees content sharing between the two stations.
* Represents YPR in communication and collaboration with NPR. Directs news employees on pitching stories to NPR. Researches and implements NPR best practices for use in the YPR newsroom. Oversees and implements collaborative opportunities with other news gathering organizations to partner on news content. Seeks out opportunities to submit YPR news programming for local, state, and national awards.
* Directs and supervises the on-air news hosts. Provides voice coaching and other feedback on a regular basis to ensure professional delivery of YPR newscasts. Acts as a substitute host in the event of vacation, sick leave, or other absence.
Other duties as assigned: participates in the semi-annual on-air fundraising weeks; represents YPR at station functions and other public appearances; represents YPR to various community groups when needed.
* This position is considered essential and high priority. The News Director is on-call and is required to work irregular hours as circumstances dictate.