Description

Western North Carolina Public Radio, Inc. d/b/a/ Blue Ridge Public Radio seeks a News Director to lead its award-winning news team!

Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR), the nonprofit public media company of Western North Carolina, is searching for a News Director. The News Director sets strategic priorities and performance goals aligned to targeting the audience with tailored content across multiple platforms. They implement the strategic plan for news content and serve as the primary keeper and champion of BPR's editorial integrity and independence standards. The News Director also serves as the primary news editor, ensuring all news content is accurate, ethical, engaging, and aligned with the NPR Code of Ethics for Journalists.

The News Director supervises 4-7 full-time news staff members, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reports directly to BPR's CEO and General Manager.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent work experience.
• Five (5) or more years of editorial leadership experience, with at least three (3) years in news management or applicable expertise.
• Three (3) or more years of experience leading digital journalism with a multi-platform mindset (web, audio, social), from planning through distribution.
• Three (3) or more years demonstrated experience editing short and long-form stories on radio and digital platforms.
• Proven ability to lead and develop news teams, fostering collaboration both within the newsroom and across departments.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 
Set BPR's news agenda; plan daily and long-range coverage across digital and broadcast platforms, ensuring a digital-first approach that starts with audience needs and platform strengths.

• Structure department to meet news and information needs of the audience.
• Manage news department staff as well as contributors, including providing feedback and annual performance reviews.
• Build a strong, collaborative newsroom culture; support staff in understanding their roles within the department and in coordination with other teams within BPR.
• Recruit and hire news positions and make budgeting recommendations to supervisor on personnel decisions.
• Work collaboratively with BPR's Senior Leadership Team to align newsroom goals with the organization's broader strategic plan.
• Work with supervisor to create news department budget and manage it throughout the year.
• Contribute to reporting and news production as needed, including during breaking news events.
• Work with relevant staff to create opportunities to solicit feedback and reflect community input on news coverage priorities.
• Work with relevant staff to identify and build news-related partnerships and collaborations with other media and/or community organizations.
• Oversee and/or directly manage BPR's participation in such collaborations.
• Review and publish content by other NC news organizations.
• Collaborate with NPR and other national outlets on news coverage as appropriate.

Additional duties include:

• Represent the newsroom by attending BPR functions and participating in speaking engagements
• Participate in on-air fund drives and coordinate news team participation
• Work extended hours as needed, including evenings and weekends
• Regional travel in Western North Carolina as needed  
• All other duties as assigned