Program Director, GLN

Detroit Public Television
Detroit , MI

Application Deadline: Monday, Feb 20, 2023

Description

Who we are:

Detroit Public TV (DPTV) is the largest and most watched public television station serving Southeastern Michigan, the most diverse public television audience in the country. We’re also the state’s only community-licensed station, meaning we operate independent of any educational, government or other institution. Our funding comes from the community we serve.

Each week more than two million people watch our five broadcast channels, and nearly 200,000 people listen to our radio station, 90.9 WRCJ for classical days and jazzy nights. In addition, DPTV is building the next generation of public media with our rapidly growing digital presence that has grown to reach more than half a million unique visitors through our website, YouTube channels and social media platforms each month.

Our key values: diversity, engagement, trust, innovation, excellence, financial stability, and growth are evident in everything we do from the engaging content we provide, to the way we work with viewers, supporters, board members and employees to the local events we host connecting DPTV with thousands of our fellow community members each year.

Does the idea of building your career alongside a dedicated group of professionals with different backgrounds and experiences excite you? If so, we invite you to join us in our mission to provide public media that helps individuals discover new ideas, make informed decisions, and enjoy enriched lives.

For more information about DPTV, please visit the website www.dptv.org.

The Opportunity

We are actively seeking dynamic and diverse team member to join us in the role of Program Director, GLN  in Detroit, MI, in a hybrid work structure, working in-office one day a week and remotely for the rest.

The primary responsibility of the Program Director of the Great Lakes Now initiative at Detroit Public TV will be to drive the daily, basin-wide conversation about the Great Lakes that includes the environment, economy, culture, and policies that affect lakes and the people who depend on them. Creating a strong voice through social media channels, on the Great Lakes Now website, and through live and virtual events will be the primary objective.

Driving a basin-wide conversation requires developing, maintaining, and deepening key partnerships throughout the Great Lakes basin and nationally. These partnerships include but are not limited to media, universities, research centers, grassroots organizations, and various stakeholders. The Program Director will work closely the head of content and the DPTV Strategic Business Planning team to establish a solid business plan based on the content plan and its partnerships. This position also oversees the collection of data needed to create quantitative and qualitative measurements of progress according to the vision of Great Lakes Now.

The Program Director will consult on long-term strategy, short-term tactics, as well as assisting with funding leads for the Development Team.

The Program Director has budget tracking responsibilities for the bureau.

Essential Functions

Relationships

  • Maintain a deep, current knowledge of Great Lakes issues across the basin
  • Deepen partnerships Great Lakes’ PBS stations and other media partners
  • Cultivate national relationships with media partners
  • Maintain a consistent social media presence via Instagram/FB and Twitter
  • Curate and maintain an active GLN partner database
  • Build relationships with government officials, business leaders, universities and colleges, associations, personnel, scientists, educators, and elected leaders involved in a wide range of issues related to the Great Lakes Basin
  • Design multi-station campaigns and lead an editorial collaboration among public media radio and television stations to expand coverage of Great Lakes-inspired content
  • Assist the GLN News Editor in recruiting freelance journalist relationships
  • Plan and oversee execution of engagement opportunities with partner organizations including meetings, workshops, town halls and other activities designed to grow citizen involvement in water-related activities

Content

  • Develop content strategy and vision in partnership with VP of Content and GLN News Editor to outline content priorities and calendar
  • Oversee distribution of environmental literacy lesson plans
  • Advise and guide digital platform form and function in collaboration with GLN News Editor
  • Recommend long-form and broadcast products in collaboration with GLN broadcast producers

Distribution

  • Oversee a process of content sharing among PBS affiliates, commercial media and other distribution platforms in for-profit and non-profit media and track key metrics
  • Grow and maintain a non-traditional media network of content sharing among environmental stakeholders, advocacy groups, research organizations and others
  • Coordinate with DPTV stations relations team to confirm 75% broadcast coverage of the GLN program

Development and Reporting

  • Work with Development team to identify and pursue additional project funding
  • Define and track evaluation metrics and measures of impact as outlined in grant commitments
  • Work with the Foundations team to prepare periodic grant updates and reports
  • Manage Great Lakes Bureau budget
  • Other duties as assigned

Skills

  • Strong oral and written communication skills; including clear storytelling skills
  • Excellent people skills, able to work effectively with other members of a team and other departments as well as with prospects and existing clients
  • Ability to provide constructive criticism to contributors and volunteers to achieve high quality deliverables
  • Ability to manage projects and resources effectively
  • Ability to work independently under pressure with minimal supervision
  • Ability to contribute creative ideas
  • Excellent organizational ability with strong attention to details
  • Ability to complete tasks within budget and time constraints and prepare necessary reports

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, broadcast, journalism or related field of study or equivalent experience
  • 10+ years of managerial and administrative experience
  • 5+ years of broadcast and/or print journalism experience preferred
  • Ability to work a varied schedule
  • Passion for Great Lakes and Great Lakes region
  • Ability to travel locally and internationally (to Canada)

Physical Demands

Individual must be able to:

  • Type, and sit behind a desk for extended periods of time
  • Work in the field under a wide range of climate conditions
  • Look at video, computer screens, printed documents
  • Drive on company business

Work Environment

Individual is exposed to a typical office setting with computer equipment and a TV studio or on-location site with some related business travel.

What you’ll get:

  • Experience the rewarding feeling of knowing you’re part of an organization committed to the greater good of the community
  • Enjoy a flexible work environment with a hybrid in-person and work from home model
  • Continue to grow and learn through opportunities for personal and professional development
  • Share your input, knowing that your ideas are valued and always welcome
  • Be yourself! We believe your uniqueness makes you an even greater asset to the team

How to Apply:

Send resume and cover letter to:

HumanResources@dptv.org

Human Resources
WTVS Detroit Public Television
1 Clover Court
Wixom, MI 48393-2247

*No telephone calls or third parties.  Please include the title of the position in the subject line of the email.

Detroit Educational Television Foundation, d/b/a Detroit Public Television and 90.9 WRCJ, is an equal opportunity employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability status, marital status, military status, or protected veteran status. Employment decisions at Detroit Public Television will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.  The specific statements above are not intended to be all inclusive.