PBS Fort Wayne - General Manager

PBS Fort Wayne (PBS FW) is searching for a strong leader to serve as their next General Manager to manage operations and serve as the external ambassador of their renowned Public Television Station. With market coverage across northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, the station serves more than 800,000 people.

The General Manager reports to the Board of Directors and will be directly responsible for all station activities. They will provide an innovative, creative and strategic vision for PBS Fort Wayne as they seek to maintain and expand their position across several platforms, while navigating the continual transformation of digital media. As the only public television station in northeast Indiana and the region’s only locally owned and operated full-power television service, the organization is poised to transition from a traditional public broadcast television station into a new digital media company.

The General Manager of PBS Fort Wayne must excel at community engagement and partnership building with the ability to deliver critical and effective fundraising leadership to both public and private sectors, while providing internal leadership and management of staff and facilities.

ABOUT THE AREA

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a vibrant and welcoming city that combines the charm of a close-knit community with the amenities of a larger urban center. As Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne boasts a thriving cultural scene, award-winning parks and trails, and a dynamic downtown that offers a mix of entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences. Known for its affordable cost of living and high quality of life, the city provides an ideal setting for families and professionals alike.

Fort Wayne takes pride in its rich history and diverse community, offering residents and visitors a wide range of attractions, including the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, and the Allen County Public Library, home to one of the nation’s largest genealogical research centers. The city also serves as a regional hub for arts and culture, featuring the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Fort Wayne Ballet, and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, numerous theaters, and a robust calendar of festivals and events. With a strong commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement, Fort Wayne continues to be a growing and dynamic place to live and work.

Salary: $115,000 – $140,000

Together the staff, Board and external stakeholders provided insights to develop a profile of the ideal leader of PBS FW. We will select from candidates that have the most highly developed skills and attributes in these areas:

Leadership:

We seek an experienced and mission-driven individual who will guide PBS Fort Wayne with visionary leadership, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and ensure the organization continues to thrive in serving our community. The ideal candidate:

• Is an empowering leader. Will take the time to learn and utilize existing strengths of individuals and groups, and mentors and supports professional growth of individuals and our staff as a whole;
• Builds strong, cohesive teams, leveraging the strengths of individuals while fostering collective success across the organization;
• Leads with transparency and accountability, communicating openly and ensuring operational excellence;

Team Management:

The next leader of PBS Fort Wayne will be an exceptional team manager, fostering a supportive and productive environment where staff can thrive and the organization can achieve its mission. The ideal candidate:

• Leads with respect and empathy, creating a workplace culture that values inclusivity, collaboration, and mutual support;
• Resolves conflicts effectively, fostering open communication and maintaining a positive work environment;
• Delegates responsibilities strategically, empowering team members while focusing on big-picture leadership.

Integrity:

PBS FW requires their next leader to uphold and embody the highest standards of integrity, ensuring the station remains a trusted and respected organization in the community it serves. The ideal candidate:

• Maintains a culture of fairness and respect, treating all individuals with dignity and impartiality;
• Protects and enhances public trust, ensuring programming and operations reflect the highest ethical standards;
• Demonstrates a record of being able to identify, confront, analyze and resolve ethical challenges or conflicts of interest.

Communication:

PBS Fort Wayne seeks a leader who excels in communication, fostering transparency, trust, and meaningful connections within PBS Fort Wayne, with the Board, and with the community it serves. The ideal candidate:

• Listens actively and empathetically, valuing input from the Board, staff, stakeholders, and the community to inform decisions and build consensus;
• Exhibits confidence and poise in public speaking, serving as a compelling representative of PBS Fort Wayne at events and in media appearances;
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence in communication, balancing candor with compassion in interactions and feedback.

Community Relationships:

The leader we seek will develop and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of community groups, local organizations, and stakeholders across our listening area to ensure the station's services meet diverse community needs. This leader also:

• Actively engages with community leaders and organizations, fostering partnerships that amplify the station’s impact and relevance;
• Serves as a visible and approachable ambassador, representing the station at public events, forums, and discussions;
• Advocates for public media’s value and role, rallying support from community members, donors, and public officials.

Fundraising:

PBS Fort Wayne seeks an effective manager who is experienced in and comfortable with direct involvement in fundraising and resource development, and who:

• Has a demonstrated record of success with major donor fundraising;
• Builds partnerships with corporate sponsors, aligning shared values to secure underwriting and sponsorships;
• Promotes innovative approaches to fundraising, leveraging digital platforms, events, and campaigns to diversify revenue streams.

Mission & Vision Orientation:

Our next General Manager will understand and be highly committed to the station’s mission to Enrich the community through engaging content and our vision of participating in A Curious, Inspired and Engaged community and:

• Keeps the station’s mission & vision at the center of all decisions, aligning operations and programming with its purpose to educate, inform, and inspire;
• Demonstrates a deep commitment to public media’s core values, advocating for high-quality, accessible, and meaningful content for all;
• Frequently refers to the mission and incorporates it into daily activities.

Vision:

In the context of ongoing transformational changes, the Internet is having on availability and use of media as well as societal changes in the external and internal environment, our ideal candidate:

• Articulates a clear and inspiring vision, uniting staff, the Board, external stakeholders, and the community around the station’s future direction;
• Fosters innovation and adaptability, encouraging the exploration of new technologies, platforms, and content formats to expand the station’s reach;
• Anticipates and responds to industry trends, positioning PBS Fort Wayne as a leader in the public media space.

Industry Knowledge (radio, TV, internet, media, etc):

Our next leader will bring a deep understanding of the media industry, including television, radio, internet, and emerging platforms, to position the station for continued growth and innovation. The ideal candidate:

• Has a high level of understanding of the importance, issues and trends of localism, and ability to lead PBS FW in this area;
• Leverages knowledge of content creation and distribution, optimizing resources to produce impactful, high-quality programming, given the station’s resources;
• Demonstrates familiarity with FCC, CPB and PBS regulations and compliance, ensuring the station operates within legal and ethical guidelines.

Adaptability:

PBS Fort Wayne’s next General Manager should excel in adaptability, skillfully navigating change while positioning the station for growth and success in a dynamic media environment. The ideal candidate:

• Embraces change with resilience and creativity, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation;
• Encourages experimentation and innovation, fostering an environment where new ideas are tested and refined, balancing tradition with progress, honoring PBS Fort Wayne’s legacy while evolving to meet future needs;
• Supports a culture of continuous learning, encouraging staff to develop new skills and adapt to changing technologies and workflows.

TO APPLY:

PBS Fort Waume is being assisted in this search by Livingston Associates. For consideration, please submit a resume and a letter of introduction that describes how you will be the ideal person to lead the organization.

Date for full consideration: January 17th, 2025
Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates at (509) 355-1974.

Equal Employment and Nondiscrimination

PBS FW offers a competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package for employees including healthcare, retirement, paid time off, dental, vision, health/wellness reimbursements, and other supplemental benefits.

It is the policy of PBS Fort Wayne to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons and not to discriminate in employment because of race, religion, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.

Livingston Associates provides executive search, strategy and coaching services to Public Media, University and other mission-based non-profit clients.

We facilitate strategy and data driven solutions that cause breakthroughs for organizations and the people who work in them, matching your organization with the right people with the right training. We know we are successful from long-term transformational success of our clients, and through them, society.