Core Values: 

At WKAR, we are guided by the belief that public media has the power to connect people and enrich lives. As News Director, you’ll uphold these values by leading a newsroom that prioritizes the public interest, fosters diverse perspectives, and champions the role of journalism in a democratic society. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Team Leadership: Inspire, guide, and supervise our news team, including reporters, editors, hosts, and student interns. Set clear expectations and foster a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and journalistic excellence. 

• Newsroom Operations: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the newsroom. Direct daily news coverage and lead planning for major news events including elections and breaking news.  

• Content Strategy: Oversee content creation and curation, ensuring that stories resonate with our audience and reflect WKAR’s mission. Work with senior leadership to define and maintain an editorial vision. Collaborate with other content-producing departments as needed. Develop strategies for implementing community-centered journalism that reaches diverse audiences and integrates new and historically underrepresented viewpoints. Evaluate and make decisions on the Newstalk programming schedule.  

• Community Engagement: Actively engage with the WKAR community and beyond. Cultivate relationships with local organizations, participate in community events, and represent WKAR at fundraisers and station activities. Lead news collaboration efforts with other stations, student media organizations, and other non-profit organizations.  

• Student Development: Act as a concentration lead for WKAR’s student experiential learning program, providing hands-on training and mentorship to the next generation of public media journalists. Ensure interns gain meaningful experience and graduate with the skills needed to excel in public media. 

• Standards & Quality Control: Ensure all content meets NPR standards for ethics, accuracy, and quality. Define and maintain station ethical, artistic, and technical standards for news content. Critique and edit content to enhance stories, assuring they include multiple perspectives while maintaining accuracy, objectivity, and adherence to journalistic standards.    

• Fundraising: Participate in station fundraising campaigns and special events.  

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embrace digital platforms and emerging technologies to enhance WKAR’s reach and impact. Support multimedia projects and lead the team in adapting to the evolving media landscape. 

This role is in person at WKAR with core hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The position may require additional hours during breaking news events, elections, or other significant station activities.

• Experience leading a newsroom or leading a team of reporters.  

• Management experience, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage, train, and encourage team members.  

• Excellent project management skills to deliver high-quality results under pressure and tight deadlines. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in electronic news gathering and audio editing, news writing, and broadcast production.  

• Strong understanding of digital and multi-platform content distribution and experience with automation and content management systems. 

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage with audiences, cultivate community connections, and foster relationships across diverse groups. 

• Experience in coaching and mentoring emerging journalists; on-air reporting and hosting experience preferred. 

• Familiarity with public media news programming standards. 

• Familiarity with local and regional issues within mid-Michigan.