Director, Digital Media and Broadcast Operations
Arizona State University

Arizona PBS is one of the country’s largest public television stations with four broadcast channels, a radio station and a growing array of digital platforms.

A member-supported community service of Arizona State University, Arizona PBS is operated by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, one of the nation’s premier professional journalism programs. The school’s mission is to prepare the next generation of journalists and communications professionals while also taking responsibility for the fundamental news and information needs of the community. The school is located on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus in the heart of the nation’s 11th largest media market.

A trusted community resource for six decades, Arizona PBS fosters lifelong learning through quality programming, in-depth news coverage and critical educational outreach services. The station reaches 80 percent of Arizona homes and 1.9 million households each week. It was recently selected as one of eight winners of the Greater Phoenix Chamber IMPACT Awards and captured the top prize in the Arizona Advocate/Small-Medium Business category.

As part of the PBS family, the station is part of America’s largest classroom, the nation’s largest stage for the arts and a trusted window to the world. In addition, it produces local programs tailored to the needs and interests of communities across Arizona. These include the long-running public affairs programs, “Arizona Horizon” and “Horizonte,” as well as shows like “Plate & Pour” and “Art in the 48” that feature cultural leaders in the community.

The station functions as the centerpiece of the Cronkite School’s “teaching hospital” model of education under which students learn in professional media environments. Central to this model is Cronkite News, which serves as the news division of Arizona PBS with 15 full-time editor/professors and more than 120 students who produce daily news content on TV and digital platforms for Arizona audiences. With news bureaus in Phoenix, Washington and Los Angeles, Cronkite News produces a 30-minute daily newscast on Arizona PBS and a mobile-engaged digital news site at cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

Like a teaching hospital in medical education, Cronkite News and the school’s other immersive professional programs provide intensive learning environments for students, important services to the community and the ability to experiment and innovate.

The Position

Location

Phoenix, AZ.

Reporting Relationships

The Director, Digital Media and Broadcast Operations will report to the Executive Director, Fiscal and Business Operations.

Responsibilities

The Director of Digital Media and Broadcast Operations is responsible for managing all operational activities associated with the delivery of content on broadcast and digital platforms for the Cronkite School and Arizona PBS. The Director is responsible for hardware, software, facilities, workflows and procedures to ensure high-quality and cost-effective delivery of multiplatform content. The Director leads strategic planning for digital and broadcasting technical facilities and supervises staff.

Additional responsibilities will include:

• Develops and executes the strategic direction, goals and objectives of the Digital Media and Broadcast Department to ensure the station and the school are in position to lead in innovation and technology. Ensures department goals and objectives align with the mission of the Cronkite School and Arizona PBS.
• Develops and implements long-term (3-5 years) plan to integrate Cronkite and Arizona PBS technology.
• Works closely and collaboratively with University Technology Office and Cronkite IT for optimal operations and use of technology used in the station and school.
• Works closely and collaboratively with all departments at Arizona PBS and the Cronkite School of Journalism.
• Works closely and collaboratively with faculty to ensure technology is integrated appropriately into the curriculum and the teaching hospital model at the Cronkite School.
• Maintains knowledge of ongoing technology changes by investigating new systems, techniques and equipment; prepares recommendations to ensure ongoing delivery of quality programs and services and excellent student digital media and broadcast education.
• Ensures that cameras, video editing and production equipment, audio systems, etc. are up to date and in good working order.
• Responsible for ensuring Arizona PBS complies with all FCC and CPB and other government requirements on non-financial issues.
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust processes and comprehensive training and cross-training for staff.
• Responsible for transmitters, microwave systems, and other transmission facilities. Work with the legal and real estate teams of ASU to update MOUs for all facilities; determine appropriate ways to handle maintenance and upgrade expenses and activities.
• Works closely with manufacturers and vendors during updates and modifications.
• Collaborate with other ASU entities on projects, as assigned.

Compensation

A comprehensive competitive compensation program will be tailored to the selected candidate.  A competitive base salary will be supplemented by a comprehensive, well-rounded benefits program.

Travel

As Needed.

The Candidate

Education/Certifications

Bachelor's degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment and eight (8) years of related administrative experience, which includes five (5) years of supervisory experience; OR, Twelve (12) years of related administrative experience, which includes five (5) years of supervisory experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Professional Qualifications

• Strong strategic leader who can lead a team to achieve organizational goals.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of broadcast engineering.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state broadcast standards, regulations and requirements.
• Knowledge of existing and emerging digital multimedia trends.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of digital operations (desired, not required).
• Knowledge of budget management methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.
• Skill in both verbal and written communication; demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely on technical and budgetary matters to both technical and non-technical staff.
• Strong collaborative skills.
• Adaptable leader able to find solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Occasional exposure to a variety of external environmental conditions; lifting/pulling/pushing electrical and/or electronic equipment up to 75 pounds; climbing ladders and/or walking/crawling in high and cramped locations including catwalks. Regular use of office and broadcast equipment.

Personal Characteristics

The successful candidate must possess outstanding leadership, interpersonal and communications skills. The candidate must be a high-energy, hands-on individual with strength of conviction -- a self-confident leader who, in part due to his/her personal presence, style and demeanor, effectively sells ideas and solutions to others. Of equal importance, this person must have unquestioned integrity, curiosity, and the ability to listen and learn from others.

• Able to manage multiple and competing demands while being open and transparent within the organization.
• Highly intelligent, with exceptional conceptual and creative skills, and the ability to visualize and translate the needs of the marketplace into business opportunities.
• Analytical, with a strong detail orientation – someone who can examine market research information and translate it into effective strategies and programs.
• Mature, confident, and successful professional with the executive presence and industry stature to effectively represent ASUF externally, and bring enhanced credibility to the organization.
• Strong service orientation, a disciplined work ethic, and ability to instill a high standard of excellence to the overall Advancement team.
• A balanced individual capable of forging productive working relationships with a broad range of personality types and styles.

Contact Information

Dennis M. O’Connor
Head of Research
1 Glenlake Parkway
Suite 650
Atlanta GA 30328
Telephone     678-441-9600 
E-mail: doconnor@boyden.com​   

Daniel C. Grassi
Managing Partner
1 Glenlake Parkway
Suite 650
Atlanta GA 30328
Telephone     678-441-9600  
E-mail: dgrassi@boyden.com   
                                 
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