Program Director, Public Radio (Public Media / Broadcasting)

Reno, NV | Full-Time

About the Role

A public radio operation serving Northern Nevada and housed within a leading public research university is hiring a Program Director to provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for broadcast programming and on-air operations across three stations: a news and information station, a classical and jazz station, and a regional relay station. Reporting to the General Manager, the Program Director plays a central role in shaping the stations' sound, programming strategy, audience experience, and overall broadcast quality while ensuring programming meets professional public media standards and FCC requirements. The director leads, coaches, and develops full-time and part-time on-air talent and works closely with newsroom and station leadership to strengthen local programming and storytelling across platforms. The position also oversees programming systems, broadcast automation, program schedules, network content, and technical audio quality. The Program Director serves as an on-air host and participates in fundraising, community events, and other activities that advance the stations' mission.

Responsibilities

• Shaping the stations' sound and programming strategy while balancing local storytelling with high-quality national public media content
• Developing and mentoring on-air talent, helping broadcasters grow professionally and strengthening overall station quality
• Championing local programming and identifying opportunities for new programs, podcasts, partnerships, and content distribution
• Overseeing programming systems, broadcast automation, program schedules, network content, and technical audio quality to ensure reliable and seamless service
• Working across departments with newsroom, engineering, development, and station leadership
• Serving as an on-air host
• Engaging with the community through events, partnerships, interviews, and public media initiatives
• Participating in fundraising activities
• Using audience information, emerging technologies, and evolving public media practices to improve the listener experience
• Ensuring programming meets FCC requirements and professional public media standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4 years of professional work experience, or a master's degree and 2 years of professional work experience
• Experience in on-air broadcasting, news collection, reporting, radio programming, or a closely related media field

Benefits

• Retirement plan with a 19.25% university match (100% vested from day one)
• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Generous annual and sick leave
• Life insurance
• Tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents
• Dual-career assistance program
• Fitness center membership
• Employee assistance program
• No state income tax

Schedule

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, with anticipated shifts of approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. depending on assigned on-air programming. Occasional evening and weekend work is required for station events, special programming, and emergency news coverage.