Managing Editor, News | St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Public Radio, an NPR member station, seeks a Managing Editor of News to set the newsroom’s editorial vision, standards and day-to-day direction on news coverage. This position supervises the reporting engine of the newsroom with direct management of three editors and a mandate to lead a dozen reporters to produce rigorous and impactful journalism across broadcast and digital platforms.
This position works in partnership with the Managing Editor of Audience and Product, who oversees the presentation and distribution of our reporting across STLPR’s news platforms. Together, these two managing editors co-lead a highly collaborative, ambitious and innovative newsroom of about 30 journalists.
You’ll join an award-winning team of journalists that covers communities across the bistate St. Louis region, in Rolla, Missouri, and in Quincy, Illinois. STLPR has a reputation as one of the most ambitious and innovative stations in the public radio system, earning a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in both 2023 and 2024. STLPR is a member of both NPR’s Midwest Newsroom, which focuses on enterprise and investigative reporting, and Harvest Public Media, which reports on the food production industry, environmental topics and rural issues in the Midwest.
An ideal candidate is energized by the pace of daily news, is driven to produce ambitious and enterprising journalism and has experience leading newsrooms. Having excellent news judgment and being a clear and consistent communicator are both essential qualities for this job. They should have a record of leading investigations and planning coverage of major news events. It’s also important for this person to be skilled at coaching reporters and editors and fostering collaboration with internal and external teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct the daily and weekly news gathering operations for covering the bistate region and ensure that editorial standards are met in all local news reports;
- Assign and edit stories, in coordination with editors;
- Supervise and set goals for editors and their reporting teams;
- Plan special coverage and direct newsroom teams on investigations, election planning, thematic coverage series and experiments in storytelling;
- Collaborate with the Managing Editor of Audience & Product on long-term vision planning, including evaluating and iterating our editorial priorities, content strategy and audience development strategy;
- Serve as a member of the station’s senior leadership team, representing the newsroom and contributing to overall organizational strategy;
- Lead recruiting, hiring and retention efforts that aim to build and sustain a newsroom workforce that reflects the diversity of our region and aligns with STLPR’s organizational commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion;
- Develop, direct, administer and monitor newsroom budget and related functions;
- Lead collaborative journalism efforts between STLPR and external news partners;
- Oversee newsroom investigations and plan major editorial projects;
- Support the growth and development of reporters and editors of all levels by organizing editorial trainings;
- Help to build a healthy culture of feedback and critique in the newsroom;
- Champion the value of local news and public media in on-air membership drives and other fundraising efforts.
Supervision Received
The Managing Editor of News is supervised by the CEO of STLPR.
Supervision Exercised
The Managing Editor of News supervises three editors who each manage teams of four beat reporters.
Qualifications
- Eight or more years of experience working in a professional newsroom with at least four years of managing journalists;
- A strong track record of publishing rigorous and impactful short-, medium- and long-form local journalism;
- A record of success in managing news across multiple media platforms;
- Sharp organizational skills and strong attention to detail;
- Proven ability to tell stories to and for audiences from diverse communities, generations, and life experiences;
- A collaborative spirit.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience producing and editing news across audio and digital platforms is highly preferred;
- Knowledge of St. Louis — people and places — and important issues that impact the bi-state region;
- Experience in building positive workplace culture;
- Demonstrated success at building successful professional relationships and navigating group dynamics.
Location
The Managing Editor of News must live in or relocate to the St. Louis region. Moving allowance available in applicable situations.
Salary Range
$85,000 – $115,000 annual
Other information
St. Louis Public Radio is a service of the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), and through UMSL offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement and wellness programs through the University of Missouri System Total Rewards program. University employees receive discounts at the College of Optometry’s Center for Eye Care, discounted passes for the Metrolink and UM System-sponsored programs. Additionally, UMSL staff and their dependents enjoy discounted tuition, and employees have access to a wide array of professional development opportunities.
Application Instructions
To apply for this position, visit the UMSL Careers site. Job ID: 53913.
In your application, please submit up to 3 samples of stories or projects that you have reported, edited or guided to completion. Explain your role in those stories or projects. Your application should also include a resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and ideas for how St. Louis Public Radio’s newsroom can best serve St. Louis area residents.
If you have questions about the job, contact Brian Heffernan, Interim News Director: bheffernan@stlpr.org. For questions about the application process, contact Jess Luther, STLPR chief of staff: jluther@stlpr.org.
Director of Development | WDET Public Radio
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Director of Development, WDET Public Radio at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Application review begins on April 14, 2025, and continues until a pool of qualified applicants is identified.. Application review begins on April 14, 2025, and continues until a pool of qualified applicants is identified.
Essential functions (job duties):
Job Purpose
The purpose of this position is to raise money for the general operations and special projects of WDET-FM 101.9, Detroit’s professional non-profit public radio station and premier source for news, much and conversation. Provide leadership and direction for the WDET-FM 101.9 Public Radio Development staff and for all employees engaged in advancing the station through philanthropy. Develop and manage a wide array of fundraising strategies, tactics and initiatives for the station; manage staff and office operations; cultivate, solicit and steward annual giving, major donor programs, corporate and foundation donors to meet established fundraising goals. This position reports to the General Manager of WDET.
Essential Functions
(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)
75%
Raise money through philanthropy. Collaborate with General Manager and other leadership staff identifying fundraising opportunities and priorities for Detroit’s Public Radios station, WDET. Lead and collaborate with direct reports to develop and implement fundraising plans and strategies and member engagement opportunities. Establish and implement realistic and achievable timelines; remain current with general fundraising trends and public media fundraising trends. Serve as a resource on successful development activities, techniques and methods. Oversee and serve as spokesperson for on-air campaigns and engage with listeners to grow membership at events and community gatherings. Develop giving clubs, incentives and appreciation methods. Create a culture of philanthropy – educating all station staff and contractors about their role in fundraising and why it is important for them to be part of the effort. Implement and oversees planned giving program and serve as spokesperson for on-air fundraising. Oversee adjacent programs that bring in profitable revenue such as planned giving, endowment growth, listener travel groups, vehicle donation program, drawings and swag sales.
Responsible for achieving annual fundraising goal allocating and prioritizing time and resources to achieve the greatest return on investment. Performance and productivity will be measured on the following core metrics as determined annually:
- Achievement of overall revenue goal
- Number of active members.
- Renewal rate
- Percentage of sustaining members
- Dollars raised for cash and in-kind gifts
- Number of Major Gift solicitations of $25,000+
- Number of Major Gifts closed at $25,000+
- Number of face-to-face meetings (visits) and other meaningful contacts each month
10%
Collaborate with WSU Development units (e.g., Corporate Relations, Foundation Relations, Annual Campaigns, Planned Giving, Donor Experience and Prospect Development) as well as other university units to ensure operational efficiencies within the station,
10%
Lead:
People – Supervise staff, effectively managing performance to meet individual and team initiatives; foster a collegial and highly productive work environment. Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, evaluate, and discipline staff. Establish and communicate performance expectations in a manner that motivates and empowers staff to fulfill job duties. Encourage, support, and ensure employee participation in training and development programs.
Resources – Manage department’s annual expenditure budget. Develop revenue and expense projections, approve expenditures and monitor transactions for compliance with university policies and procedures.
5%
Special projects and other duties as assigned.
Work Context
The following characterizes the position scope.
- Job Reports to: WDET General Manager, Mary Zatina Senior Director
- Leadership Accountability: Develops policy and strategic plans
- Supervisory Accountability: Supervises professionals and non-managers
- Organizational Accountability: Manages department
- Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget
- Customer Accountability: Interfaces with officials and executives
- Freedom to Act: Operates with significant autonomy
Unique duties:
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration or related field.
- Ability and curiosity about data and how to apply it for continuous improvement.
- Awareness and understanding of the mission and unique operating model of public media.
- Positive disposition and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience: Specialist (minimum 5 years of job-related experience)
- Minimum of five (5) – eight (8) years’ experience working as a fundraising professional with some direct major donor solicitations in excess of $25,000.
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience managing personnel, developing and implementing policies and procedures.
- Direct experience with creating development fundraising plans and conducting major gift solicitations required.
- Higher education development and prior volunteer management experience preferred.
- Substantial experience managing a portfolio of major donors and potential major donors greater than $1 million per year, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Communications Skills: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong verbal and interpersonal skills are a must. Ability to work successfully with persons from diverse backgrounds. Emotional intelligence and tact to sensitively handle listeners input and life situations.
Planning and Organization: Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational and time-management skills required. Maturity, sound judgment and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.
Analytical and Presentation Skills: Proficient in using data to guide strategy and implementation. Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy.
Technical Skills: Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Teams. Ability to understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms. Ability to learn multiple donor relations systems.
Learning Agility: Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations. Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.
Leadership Skills: Demonstrated strong leadership skills that can influence and motivate individuals and groups to achieve results. Can manage a team, collaboratively influence peers and “manage up”.
Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome; ability to produce high quality and consistent results with assistance of team members; provide support to teammates when tackling complex projects.
Preferred Requirements
Proven ability to think strategically about fundraising in the non-profit community.
Knowledge and familiarity with public media, non-profit news/media philanthropy.
Strong relationship-building and donor strategy skills.
An unrelenting commitment to stewardship and gratitude.
Demonstrated results using giving clubs and tiers to move donors up into higher levels of annual support.
Experience with subscription services and a track record of positive results with renewal rates on annual giving.
Resiliency to stay calm and focused during periods of intensified activity and competing priorities.
Ability to work odd hours, weekends and calendar year-end and as needed during campaign and events.
A self-starting work style and strong work ethic.
Experience with events and capital campaigns.
Presentation preparation and delivery skills.
Preferred qualifications:
School/College/Division: H72 – WDET
Primary department: H8703
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: $91,100
- Salary hire maximum: $125,000
Working conditions:
Normal office environment. On-Site at the station. Adhere to confidentiality and data usage policy for the organization. This position requires a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. Due to travel requirements, evening meetings and special events, etc., candidate must be willing to work extended hours as needed.
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Apply at https://waynetalent.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/2674?c=waynetalent&sq=req2674
PRIMA.ORG will post job listings for PRIMA member stations upon request.
Send posting information to stephen.a.williams@wmich.edu
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