Chief Operating Officer

Nashville Public Radio is a community-licensed public media organization serving Middle Tennessee with trusted, in-depth journalism, engaging music, and distinctive cultural programming. Through 90.3 FM WPLN News, 91.1 WNXP Nashville’s Music Experience, Nashville Classical Radio, WPLN International, and nashvillepublicradio.org, the organization reaches audiences across platforms with content that informs, inspires, and connects.

For more than 60 years, Nashville Public Radio has been a vital civic resource, supported by its community and grounded in editorial independence. Its programming sparks conversation and curiosity, elevates local voices, and reflects the creative energy and complexity of a rapidly growing region.

Guided by a clear aspiration to be the trusted local source for journalism and music discovery in Nashville, the organization is focused on innovation, sustainability, and deep community engagement as it continues to grow its impact in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior leadership role responsible for building and leading the operational, financial, and organizational systems that will support Nashville Public Radio’s next phase of growth. Reporting to CEO, Holly Kernan, the COO serves as a close thought partner and execution leader, translating ambition into disciplined planning, measurement, and results.

The COO oversees finance, human resources, operations, technology, engineering, compliance, and data-informed decision-making across a complex, multi-platform public media organization. This role is ideal for a strategic, data-driven operator with experience in media and music-adjacent businesses who can pair strong management practices with creativity, transparency, and a deep commitment to public service.

• Serve as a close thought partner to the CEO, forming a highly aligned leadership team capable of driving ambitious, achievable growth.
• Lead and coordinate strategic planning with the Board and staff, beginning in 2026, and support ongoing strategy execution.
• Ensure leadership alignment, clear decision-making, and consistent communication across the organization.
• Lead budgeting, planning, and KPI development, including monthly reporting to the CEO and all staff, and quarterly review with the Senior Leadership Team.
• Oversee finance and HR functions, ensuring strong fiscal controls, compliance, and best management practices.
• Manage core operations, including IT, engineering, facilities, and FCC compliance across broadcast and digital platforms.

• Manage metrics dashboards and reporting systems to support transparency, accountability, and data-informed decision-making.
• Strengthen operational planning, forecasting, and performance tracking across departments.
• Lead and evaluate process improvement and change management initiatives that support organizational maturity and scale.

• Partner with the CEO and senior leaders to support revenue growth strategies, including public affairs, music discovery, and digital opportunities.
• Bring insight from music, media, or commercial revenue environments to grow revenue-producing aspects of the organization.
• Ensure operational alignment in support of digital growth, audience development, and innovation.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive culture grounded in professionalism, responsiveness, and mutual respect.
• Manage HR strategy and operations, including talent acquisition, development, performance management, and employee engagement.
• Break down silos and ensure effective collaboration across teams and platforms.

• Proven senior operational leader with experience in media, music, or revenue-driven content organizations.
• Strategic thinker who is deeply data-driven and comfortable building dashboards, metrics, and accountability systems.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience managing complexity and growth.
• Track record of leading organizational change, cultivating cohesive cultures, and implementing best management…