WTTW
Director, WFMT Radio Network
WTTW, Chicago, IL
WFMT (classical music radio station) seeks a Director to lead the operations and staff of the WFMT Radio Network, the national and international syndication division of WFMT. The Network produces and distributes programs and streams in classical, jazz, and folk music formats. Our programs come from high-profile arts organization partners including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and many others, and are supported by three network employees and the production team of WFMT. Heard on more than 200 unique main stations, our flagship programs include Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin, the Beethoven Network with Peter van de Graaff, and annual curated series of American and international orchestra and opera performances.
The Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the WFMT Radio Network and participates in developing the Network's strategic direction. The Director builds and maintains productive relationships with a wide array of partners, collaboratively develops new content, negotiates and executes contracts with stations and arts partners, manages Network staff, and oversees budgets, distribution, sales, and promotional efforts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Business Development
• Participate in identifying and developing opportunities for new content and production partnerships with performing arts organizations: stay apprised of trends and developments in the classical music industry.
• Actively work to identify and onboard new broadcast and media outlets.
• Formulate targeted strategies to expand carriage of existing programs and content.
Partner and Customer Relationships
• Maintain existing relationships with arts organization content partners and cultivate prospective partners.
• Create reports including audience data, client feedback, and analysis to support partner ROI.
• Stay apprised of partner work including season announcements and major projects.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with radio station clients.
• Develop and implement communication and promotional strategies to support all Network content.
• Manage and maintain CRM database and develop strategies for leveraging customer data.
Administrative Management
• Supervise Network staff including full- and part-time employees and contractors.
• Create, maintain, and track annual department budget.
• Analyze monthly financial reports and update budget forecasts.
• Negotiate, generate, and execute agreements with radio stations to acquire Network content.
• Oversee partner and customer invoicing and ensure accurate and timely collections.
• Maintain long-range department communications and promotions calendar.
Content Development
• Conceptualize content and product offerings that meet the needs of radio stations and audiences.
• Participate in strategic planning of structure and composition of program series.
• Stay apprised of broad trends and developments in the performing arts and public radio.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Broad familiarity with the performing arts and public media landscapes, with knowledge of radio formats, programming trends, and best practices. Working knowledge of performers and performing arts organizations including orchestras, opera companies, and chamber music presenters is also desirable.
• Ability to thrive in a sales and customer success-oriented and data-driven environment, with experience collecting, organizing, and deploying data to analyze business operations and determine strategic direction.
• Advanced computer skills and facility with Microsoft Office applications, Google Drive, NetSuite, and CRM database functionality.
• Extreme attention to detail, with the ability to maintain a wide range of tasks and responsibilities amid multiple overlapping timelines and workflows.
• Ability to exercise the utmost diplomacy, discretion, and discernment in all job functions and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive matters.
Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is a core value at WTTW|WFMT. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all staff. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. WTTW|WFMT is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. WTTW|WFMT will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the WFMT Radio Network and participates in developing the Network's strategic direction. The Director builds and maintains productive relationships with a wide array of partners, collaboratively develops new content, negotiates and executes contracts with stations and arts partners, manages Network staff, and oversees budgets, distribution, sales, and promotional efforts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Business Development
• Participate in identifying and developing opportunities for new content and production partnerships with performing arts organizations: stay apprised of trends and developments in the classical music industry.
• Actively work to identify and onboard new broadcast and media outlets.
• Formulate targeted strategies to expand carriage of existing programs and content.
Partner and Customer Relationships
• Maintain existing relationships with arts organization content partners and cultivate prospective partners.
• Create reports including audience data, client feedback, and analysis to support partner ROI.
• Stay apprised of partner work including season announcements and major projects.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with radio station clients.
• Develop and implement communication and promotional strategies to support all Network content.
• Manage and maintain CRM database and develop strategies for leveraging customer data.
Administrative Management
• Supervise Network staff including full- and part-time employees and contractors.
• Create, maintain, and track annual department budget.
• Analyze monthly financial reports and update budget forecasts.
• Negotiate, generate, and execute agreements with radio stations to acquire Network content.
• Oversee partner and customer invoicing and ensure accurate and timely collections.
• Maintain long-range department communications and promotions calendar.
Content Development
• Conceptualize content and product offerings that meet the needs of radio stations and audiences.
• Participate in strategic planning of structure and composition of program series.
• Stay apprised of broad trends and developments in the performing arts and public radio.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Broad familiarity with the performing arts and public media landscapes, with knowledge of radio formats, programming trends, and best practices. Working knowledge of performers and performing arts organizations including orchestras, opera companies, and chamber music presenters is also desirable.
• Ability to thrive in a sales and customer success-oriented and data-driven environment, with experience collecting, organizing, and deploying data to analyze business operations and determine strategic direction.
• Advanced computer skills and facility with Microsoft Office applications, Google Drive, NetSuite, and CRM database functionality.
• Extreme attention to detail, with the ability to maintain a wide range of tasks and responsibilities amid multiple overlapping timelines and workflows.
• Ability to exercise the utmost diplomacy, discretion, and discernment in all job functions and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive matters.
Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is a core value at WTTW|WFMT. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all staff. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. WTTW|WFMT is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. WTTW|WFMT will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.