Vice President, TV Programming & Operations
Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Senior Vice President & General Manager, WETA
JOB OBJECTIVE
Oversee WETA local television operations -- with specific responsibility for managing the Programming and Broadcast Traffic teams – for five local broadcast channels. Reports to SVP & GM, WETA Greater Washington.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Manage the television programming and scheduling for WETA PBS, WETA Metro and WETA UK.
- Collaborate with SVP & GM and the VP of Audience Development to develop programming strategies using a variety of techniques and analytical tools.
- Serve as the primary customer of local programming from the Local Productions team.
- Set the monthly programming and promotional priorities for broadcast and streaming and lead internal partners in Digital, Creative Services and Communications in support of those priorities.
- Manage program acquisitions for local broadcast and streaming.
- Identify and select programs.
- Manage relationships and negotiate with national program distributors.
- Work with WETA legal department to prepare and finalize contracts.
- Maintain digital program acquisition rights and media inventories.
- Lead efforts to sublicense designated programs to other public media stations.
- Oversee Broadcast Traffic team and supervise process to make sure all shows are received, ingested and ready for broadcast.
- Supervise the team’s day-to-day execution of the ProTrack broadcast software.
- Schedule shows that air on WETA Television into the computerized monthly, weekly, and daily grids.
- Coordinate and input the daily breaks for the WETA Channels.
- Analyze and interpret Nielsen audience viewing and streaming trends and demographics. Prepare regular detailed local audience reports.
- Represent WETA as the lead programming executive in all interactions with PBS, at national public television programming meetings, on program advisory boards, and with industry award panels.
- Manage and maintain strong relationships with outside business partners (Nielsen, Track Media Research, ProTrack, etc.).
- Keep current with innovations in software and technology.
SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Demonstrated knowledge of programming a television station in a highly competitive media environment.
- Direct knowledge of PBS programming, its structure and mission.
- Knowledge of television and other media trends and usage.
- Knowledge of television production and studio operations.
- Demonstrated ability to use and knowledge of computer technology to efficiently accomplish work, using Microsoft Office programs, email, Internet, and database management software, preferably ProTrack.
- Proven ability to lead and supervise team members.
- Proven ability to plan and execute financial and budget plans.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment, in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities and deadline pressures.
- Excellent organizational, project planning and time management skills with careful attention to detail.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 12 years of experience programming a television station, preferably in a major market PBS station.
- College degree in television broadcasting or a related field preferred.
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LOCATION
WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.
VACCINATION POLICY
WETA and NewsHour Productions prioritizes the safety and security of our community. In accordance with our focus on providing and maintaining a safe workplace, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees working in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office and employees who may reasonably or occasionally be called to work onsite, subject to business needs.
In accordance with this policy, all applicants for employment in a WETA and/or NewsHour Productions office are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Requests for exemption from this policy based on a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief will be considered upon a conditional offer of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
WETA and NewsHour Productions is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.