News​/Talk Network Program Director

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This range is provided by Civic Media. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$85,000.00/yr - $90,000.00/yr

Civic Media has built a radio and digital media network in the Midwest with the goal of championing the practice of democracy by empowering honest and informative local voices. We’re merging the legacy of radio with the immediacy of digital to deliver high-quality content to a growing audience via our radio stations, websites, mobile app, and associated social media platforms. We work in a fast-paced environment that values communication, integrity, vision, innovation, and collaboration in order to fulfill our vision of being the media platform that informs, guides, and inspires our audience through the complex landscape of information, commentary, and civic engagement.

The News/Talk Network Program Director oversees all on‑air content and staff for Civic Media’s news talk network, managing schedules, talent, quality control, and compliance with broadcast regulations. Key responsibilities include selecting programs, coaching on‑air personalities and shows, developing promotional strategies, and ensuring the station’s sound and content align with its brand and audience needs. They blend creativity and business acumen, using audience research and ratings data to shape programming and achieve business goals.

• Develop and schedule news, talk, and special interest programming that resonates with the station’s target demographic
• Evaluate existing programs and identify new content opportunities
• Coordinate the production and editing of audio recordings and segments
• Recruit, train, and mentor on‑air talent, including announcers, hosts, and their respective shows
• Provide feedback and conduct “air‑checks” to improve performance and consistency
• Manage on‑air automation systems and computer‑generated logs
• Maintain program budgets and manage expenditures
• Develop on‑ and off‑air promotional strategies to attract and retain listeners
• Work with other departments (sales, marketing, news) to meet station goals
• Use audience research and ratings data to inform programming decisions
• Engage with the local community and ensure the station serves the public interest
• Check completed program logs for accuracy and resolve program log inaccuracies
• Plan and oversee tone, programming, production, sound & theme, website, online presence, and social media
• Collaborate with Production to enlist direction and seek options that meet editorial scope
• Provide direction to on‑air personality and audio engineer on content
• Partner with Sales in support of local and corporate business goals to increase market share, listeners, ratings, advertiser satisfaction, and revenue while aligning programming fit with client, station, and audience; create talent and station marketing, promotion, and image campaigns
• Determine and maintain creative vision for station(s) to enhance station image and visibility within the community
• Review and determine all commercial and paid programming content; decide show playlists; schedule programming in conformance with FCC rules and regulations, company policy and applicable federal, state, and local laws; protect station license
• Evaluate programming available from distributors, syndicators, and independent producers to recommend acquisitions for broadcast
• Schedule staff for on‑air shifts, remotes, and appearances

• Extensive experience in radio broadcasting, often with prior roles as a program director, assistant program director, host, reporter, or producer
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced start‑up environment by embracing flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve as roles, priorities, and opportunities shift within our growing radio network.
• Creative and strategic thinking to develop engaging content and programming.
• Familiarity with radio programming requirements, station operations, and digital audio technology.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work with teams both in person and remotely across a large…