President & General Manager

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle's NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts and events in service to the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a President and General Manager to provide leadership to and oversight of KUOW including its content and programming, personnel, physical plant and technical support, marketing, community outreach, fund-raising, general administration, and racial equity initiatives.

This position is a senior executive officer within the University of Washington (UW). KUOW, a nonprofit corporation, is operated under an agreement between the University of Washington, the station's FCC licensee, and an independent 501c3, Puget Sound Public Radio. The General Manager also serves in a non-voting ex officio capacity as President of Puget Sound Public Radio.

The mission of KUOW is to create and serve a more informed public. We pursue as our "north star" a fertile and vibrant ecosystem existing for community and democracy to thrive. KUOW's intended impact is to be a platform existing to enable all in the Puget Sound Region to understand and navigate what is happening in the world around them, leading to their greater agency and empowerment.

Position Complexities:

Provide leadership through communication of operational objectives and plans, both inside and outside of the organization.

Develop and implement strategic and long-range plans for KUOW, consistent with KUOW's mission and Strategic Impact Framework (SIF).

Ensure that adequate plans for the development and growth of KUOW are based on careful appraisal of content & programming, marketing and customer relationship management, revenue generation, technology expertise, racial equity goals and innovation driven by research and a creative spirit.

Work with the PSPR Board to develop/refresh strategic objectives; lead the KUOW management team to develop and propose to the Board KUOW's annual operating budget.

Position Dimensions and Impact to the University:

Work in close collaboration with the executive and management teams to oversee the day-to-day operations of the station and ensure that sound managerial and financial disciplines are implemented, and that racial equity and inclusion are prioritized.

Assess KUOW's development and fundraising efforts, which include individual memberships, underwriting and sponsorships, grants, major philanthropic and planned giving. Ensure that the full scope of KUOW's future operating and capital needs can be covered.

40% -

Assess KUOW's development and fundraising efforts, which include individual memberships, underwriting and sponsorships, grants, major philanthropic and planned giving. Ensure that the full scope of KUOW's future operating and capital needs can be covered. Personally engage with transformational gift solicitation.

30% -

Ensure that adequate plans for the development and growth of KUOW are based on careful appraisal of content & programming, marketing and customer relationship management, revenue generation, technology expertise, racial equity goals and innovation driven by research and a creative spirit.

10% -

Work in close collaboration with the executive and management teams to oversee the day-to-day operations of the station and ensure that sound managerial and financial disciplines are implemented, and that racial equity and inclusion are prioritized.

15% -

Engage in a collaborative working relationship with the governing board of KUOW (PSPR) through regular meetings and informal interaction to communicate financial status, strategic opportunities and challenges, and on-going accomplishments and activities. Work with the PSPR board to develop or refresh strategic objectives; lead the KUOW management team to develop and propose to the board KUOW's annual operating budget.

5% -

Through a well-articulated plan for organizational excellence, oversee the recruitment, retention and development of the best talent with a racial equity, diversity and inclusion lens; inspire the team and the community around KUOW and its mission; be transparent about the organization's goals and methods for their achievement.

Lead Responsibilities:

Staying apprised of today's media landscape, lead through transitions and challenges by innovating and adapting to changing markets or competition. Understand the opportunities and risks associated with changes in audience consumption habits, shifts in distribution methods for content, new technology, the existential challenges around confidence in the press, financial pressures on the journalism and entertainment industries, transformations in the way people receive and engage with news, information, and culture and a general degeneration of trust in institutions.

SUPERVISION (Direct) EXERCISED:

• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Content Officer
• Chief Marketing Officer
• Project Mgr., Office of the President & GM

Requirements include:

Bachelor's degree

Nine or more years to include:

• strong general management experience running an organization of similar complexity and size, or a demonstrated record of consistent growth and impact in a smaller organization.
• track record of being entrepreneurial at the core with well-developed personnel and leadership skills, creative risk-taking abilities, and sound business disciplines and strategic thinking.
• experience in personally soliciting major gifts and grants; invest significant time engaging with major philanthropic fundraising to more fully deliver on KUOW's mission and be able to work within KUOW's unique structure and position within a university and the community to achieve goals.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

• Deep passion for the role of quality, independent journalism in society.
• Collaborative leadership: an ability to build cohesiveness across management tiers, the generational cohorts of employees and throughout the organization's structure
• Experience working effectively with a board of directors.
• A team player / coach who can establish themselves as the trusted leader of the Division Leads Group in particular, and of the larger leadership team and be relied upon to get things done. Identifies closely with, and is committed to, the achievement of KUOW's overall mission.
• Superior oral and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate with various constituencies, internal and external. Strong presentation skills in settings from one-on-one to large audience.

Working Environmental Conditions

• General office conditions with private office.
• Ability to flex schedule to lead/participate in off-hours and/or weekend events.
• Periodic travel could be necessary.
• Occasional telework allowed, but this position cannot be 100% remote.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND RACIAL EQUITY

KUOW and the University of Washington are equal opportunity employers. KUOW is dedicated to building a culturally and ethnically diverse staff and creating a working environment that promotes racial equity and inclusiveness. We believe attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. Women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and veterans are highly encouraged to apply.

Application Process:

Campbell & Company search firm is managing this recruitment. Please contact Angele Bubna at: angele.bubna@campbellcompany.com; 312.896.8883.

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.