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Executive Director & General Manager WAER

Posting Details



Job # 037557 Department Code 21601-2088 Department Public Communications Job Title Executive Director & General Manager WAER Location Syracuse, NY Pay Range Commensurate with Experience Staff Level S6 FLSA Status Exempt Hours
Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)

8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs. Job Type Full-time Campus Syracuse, NY Unionized Position Code Not Applicable Job Description
WAER serves the Syracuse metropolitan area with local digital and audio news content, in-depth multimedia reports, robust local sports coverage, original podcasts and on-air shows and national radio programming. One of Central New York’s leading public media organizations, the NPR affiliate is a 50,000-watt educational, FM radio station licensed to Syracuse University and a part of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The General Manager will lead and achieve WAER’s strategic vision and be the visible face for the organization in the business, education, civic and government communities in Central New York as well as the national public media field. Reporting to the Dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the General Manager will supervise the WAER staff and collaborate with students and faculty to ensure its place as a diverse, innovative, multi-platform media outlet poised to lead in the rapidly changing field. Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred. 7+ years of experience with progressively advanced responsibility in radio station operations, team management and financial oversight for an organization or department. Job Specific Qualifications
A visionary leader for WAER to be the essential, independent source of news and cultural content that gives Central New Yorkers a deeper understanding of one another and the world. Create content that reflects the growing diversity of this region, keep up with emerging technologies to ensure access across platforms, strengthen traditional content delivery systems to reach populations of all backgrounds, and facilitate community engagement to enhance long-term relationships with audiences, partners, and alumni constituents.

A culturally fluent leader with experience in multimedia production and audience engagement who will further develop and diversify our programming and content to serve the culturally rich CNY community and encourage and support staff and students to create original and innovative content. The General Manager will embrace the evolving media landscape to grow our presence and impact throughout the region and will maintain a strong commitment to transparency and journalistic standards and ethics. Responsibilities
| LEADERSHIP :
We are searching for an energetic, effective leader who collaboratively builds and communicates with staff and the public a vision for WAER, including in journalism, community engagement, and continued growth in audience and revenues. This person will help WAER become an even more successful organization which remains financially healthy and increases its service to the Central New York region. Our ideal candidate will have: A passion for teaching, supporting and engaging students. Demonstrated ability to listen to and communicate with diverse stakeholders. An open leadership style who is community builder, effective decision-maker and agent for change. The ability to provide clear direction and accountability for organizational results. An eye for spotting trends in media and their potential impact for the organization. Experience transitioning from analog to digital media. The ability to maintain appropriate firewalls between administration and management and journalists.
PEOPLE AND TEAM MANAGEMENT :
The General Manager will be an inspiring leader who is respectful, collaborative and an active listener who is willing to seek input and collaboration from staff and students. We are searching for someone who has experience supporting staff to enhance and develop their skills through pitching, leading projects and seeking outside training opportunities.
This person will have a demonstrable commitment to an inclusive team environment and will champion diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The team at WAER is committed to creating a culture that highlights different perspectives, and we are seeking a General Manager who will partner with us and will feature content that represents all voices.

COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT :
The General Manager is an articulate and effective spokesperson for the organization and is the public face and ambassador of the station, is someone who loves meeting new people and wants to build relationships with internal and external leaders and influencers, and will grow WAER’s presence in the Syracuse area through developing appropriate relationships with media organizations and community leaders by becoming an active participant and recognized leader in the region. The GM should have a record of community engagement and collaboration through developed partnerships with individuals and organizations internal and external to the Newhouse School and SU. GM will maintain and enhance our strong relationship with National Public Radio and other national and public media content providers and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The GM will also have proven success in facilitating the process of change within an organization, in particular the ongoing transformation of public media consumption. A leader who understands the impact of culture on change efforts and can successfully navigate cultural change. This person should also assess and adopt innovative models for content development and distribution.

FINANCIAL ACUMEN, INTEGRITY AND FUNDRAISING :
The General Manager will be an experienced and competent financial manager with the ability to manage budgets and audit processes. This person should have experience managing corporate and individual fund development teams, the ability to conceive and develop alternative revenue streams and manage state and federal grant programs.
We are also looking for an effective fundraiser with demonstrated expertise in fundraising and resource development. This leader will have:
- Experience in asking for station financial support and developing and leading capital campaigns.
- A comprehensive understanding of fundraising strategies and methods in public media including membership, business sponsorship, and major and planned giving.
- Successful experience in securing major gifts through effective relationship development through the sharing of mission and needs.
- The ability to increase the fundraising capacity of the staff.

STATION MANAGEMENT :
Specific Duties and Responsibilities Manage day-to-day operations and functions of a 50,000-watt FM radio station Oversee daily efforts of full-time and temporary staff, volunteers, and student participants Supervise student training and skill development program Manage training and development of highly functioning teams Direct content acquisition, development, and distribution on multiple platforms Spearhead fundraising and fund development operations and initiatives Guide alumni engagement initiatives and develop community engagement programs Develop annual operating budgets, financial reports, and oversee annual audit process Responsible for CPB and New York State grant programs, financial reporting, and eligibility requirements Maintain compliance with FCC reporting and record keeping requirements Oversee Community Advisory Board Physical Requirements Tools/Equipment Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter. About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu. About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal. EEOC
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities. Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members. Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity. Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/89071 Job Posting Date 09/29/2021 Application Deadline Full Consideration By Job Category Staff Message to Applicants

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