Nebraska Public Media seeks exemplary candidates for the role of General Manager & Chief Executive Officer who will lead the organization in envisioning and enacting vibrant public media in the state of Nebraska. This individual will also be the Secretary of the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission and the General Manager of Nebraska Public Media. Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Education Telecommunications Commission, the successful candidate will be expected to provide dynamic leadership in further developing and strengthening the public broadcasting programs and educational offerings of both the University and the Commission for the State. The GM/CEO embodies the integrity and commitment for which Nebraska Public Media is known and leads the effort to foster the collaborative development of programmatic and business initiatives that expand audience and financial support. We are seeking candidates with authenticity, humility, and a sense of humor that sets others at ease. Specific responsibilities include:

Strategic Direction

• Articulate and establish a vision for Nebraska Public Media, ensuring that the organization retains, engages, and secures revenue from current audiences while conducting innovative, effective outreach to diverse new members.
• Cultivate a culture of innovation and enthusiasm for change, heightening Nebraska Public Media’s role as an incubator of new sources of content and application of new service delivery and audience engagement platforms.
• Nurture and sustain a commitment to journalistic independence, integrity, and ethics essential to public broadcasting reporting.
• Oversee and administer all activities of the unit, including a budget of approximately $23 million derived from state, federal, and private sources.

Community Relationships

• Effectively serve as the general manager of the Nebraska ETV Network and the Nebraska Public Radio Network, as well as the secretary/treasurer for the Nebraska Public Media Foundation for Radio and Television.
• Maintain strong ties with the larger state community and the state legislature.
• Continue the strong ties to the major regional and national public telecommunications offices.
• Participate actively in fundraising activities, serving as a compelling ambassador for Nebraska Public Media’s vision to major donors and funders; maintaining and building strong relationships.

Operational Leadership

• Build, retain, and lead an executive team that includes a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Content Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, setting an outstanding example of trustworthy executive leadership and supportive management and mentorship.
• Foster a culture of staff cohesion, aligning team members around a common strategic vision and empowering them to collaboratively pursue and enact it.
• Foster innovation, leveraging Nebraska Public Media’s resources and reputation as a producer of local content and service delivery to stay at the forefront of the industry.
• Oversee the enhancement of talent management to enable Nebraska Public Media to attract and retain a diverse and talented staff.
• Lead the team to develop and manage budgets, cash flow, and technology enhancements.

The ideal candidate brings the following:

• At least 10 years of experience in senior leadership roles; strong leadership in positions of increasing responsibility in public media or a related telecommunications business or industry is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Sophistication and savviness in complex media environments, including multi-platform journalism and contemporary public television/radio station structure. Possess an understanding of the production and distribution aspects of public radio and television, ATSC 3.0, and emerging media trends.
• Accomplished record as a passionate public representative of an organization capable of uniting people in imaginative and collaborative partnerships that cultivate programmatic innovation.
• Politically astute and able to unite diverse constituencies; with a record of developing a visionary, holistic, and uplifting institutional identity that excites and energizes stakeholders at all levels to contribute to institutional goals.
• Experience marshaling others to take calculated risks that generate revenue and fully leverage opportunities to integrate fundraising and programmatic initiatives. Track record of participating in fundraising, preferably in a public media environment.
• Must have successful experience working with various constituencies on strategic planning and financial management.
• Proven ability to provide inspirational leadership that makes staff feel valued, motivated, and empowered.
• Compelling vision for the future of public media and an unfailing commitment to integrity in a public media environment.
• Experience working successfully in complex organizations with various governing and advisory bodies and diverse stakeholders.
• Comfort with change within organizations and sectors, open to new ideas with a tolerance for calculated risk in response to evolving opportunities.
• Demonstrated intellectual and strategic ability to explore new content delivery methods.
• Ability to demonstrate diplomacy and resilience when faced with challenges.
• Keen analytical skills and a sense of creativity necessary to frame and solve problems.
• Highly energetic with the ability to take a long view and balance a sense of urgency and steadfast patience.
• Exceptional communication skills in all registers, including writing, public speaking, and listening.