Director of Audience Engagement - KAXE / KBXE
Job Title: Director of Audience Engagement
Date Posted: Dec. 5, 2025
Application Deadline: Jan. 9, 2026
Introduction
KAXE, the first rural public radio station in the nation founded with enthusiasm and grit in 1976 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is hiring a Director of Audience Engagement.
The role of Director of Audience Engagement should have the ability to build meaningful connections with our current listeners and new folks who value strong local journalism, civic engagement and community storytelling. You’ll bring your creativity and people skills to the table and lead our staff in finding new and effective ways to engage our audience through social media, email and beyond. You’ll be part of a team who believes deeply in the power of community media to bring people together and spark positive change.
Northern Community Radio is a nonprofit, community public broadcast organization, operating radio stations 91.7 FM KAXE Grand Rapids with a translator at 89.9 FM Brainerd, and 90.5 FM KBXE Bemidji as well as kaxe.org.
Job Description
The Director of Audience Engagement will lead KAXE’s efforts to grow and deepen our relationship with listeners, readers and supporters across digital platforms. You’ll shape and implement strategy for social media, newsletters, website content and digital marketing. We believe KAXE's work has impact and meaning, and we are looking for someone who understands how to serve our audiences better and in new ways.
In this role, you’ll work closely with team members across departments to bring our mission to life online. In news, music, conversation and membership, our staff does great work we want more people to see.
We are looking for someone who is comfortable navigating the fast-moving digital landscape, curious about audience behavior and excited to build a welcoming online presence to reflect the values of community-powered media. This leadership role has room to grow and is perfect for someone who is self-motivated and loves storytelling, strategy and the power of public media to make a difference.
This position is based at KAXE’s studio in Grand Rapids or KBXE's studio in Bemidji with remote work as arranged. The ideal candidates will have knowledge or curiosity about the complexity and diversity of rural life in Northern Minnesota. This is an at-will position.
The qualifications below are an example of skills that are key to this position. We welcome the opportunity to learn about other skills and experience levels that would make this a mutual fit.
Essential Functions
- Lead KAXE’s audience engagement efforts across social media, email, web and emerging platforms to help us deepen connections with our current audience and reach new folks who care about local news, music and community.
- Develop and implement creative social media strategies across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. We are looking for someone to plan and schedule posts, design graphics in Canva, create opportunities for audience engagement and input, create videos and experiment with new ways to share our stories and campaigns.
- Own the posting calendar. Plan ahead, keep things fresh and engaging, and make sure our stories, events and fundraisers get attention. Create best-practices and a content schedule to support consistent posting and proactive audience engagement.
- Be the voice of KAXE online. Respond to messages, comments and listener questions and keep our community conversations positive and productive.
- Write/curate, design and execute newsletters people are compelled to open. Manage weekly emails and create and launch new newsletter products to reflect the depth and personality of our programming.
- Collaborate with editorial and programming teams to use audience data (Google Analytics, social media insights, Chartbeat, etc.) to inform content decisions, spot trends and better understand what our audience values. Help turn casual readers/listeners into subscribers, donors and superfans.
- Create digital marketing campaigns that drive awareness and create growth.
- Generate annual audience survey and use the results to identify opportunities, challenges and ideas to better serve our listeners and readers.
- Help coordinate community engagement efforts including listening sessions, in-person events, and feedback loops with local stakeholders.
- Collaborate closely with the development team to promote fundraising efforts across all platforms. Your work will help connect the dots between our content, impact and the support that keeps up going.
- Champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive digital presence that reflects the values of our station and the people we serve.
This job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employees. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Familiarity with KAXE’s radio and digital products
- Enthusiasm and understanding of KAXE’s mission
- Ability to deliver creative content (text, images and video)
- Proficiency with programs like Canva, newsletter apps and CMS software
- Strong skills in project management with the ability to create clarity, strategy and build excitement within staff and the community
- Collaboration in a cross-functional environment to develop and maintain key relationships
- Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions and propose effective actions
- General knowledge and awareness of media ethics
- A strong team player and self-starter
- Clear, confident, and effective written and verbal communication
- Highly organized with time management and problem-solving skills
- Able to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent time frames and changing priorities/conditions
- Grasp of and knowledge of web development and design
- Desire to keep learning and growing with the organization
- Maintain a commitment to diversity, racial equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
Additional Responsibilities:
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned
- Work to ensure the success of the organization
- Participate in other station activities, including but not limited to station events and fundraising activities, which may require working occasional weekends or evenings, or otherwise adjusting work hours
Compensation and benefits
Salary range is $52,000-$60,000 per year based on experience. In addition to salary, KAXE offers a compensation package that includes the following benefits:
- Group health insurance.
- Company paid life insurance.
- 5% company paid SEP.
- Company paid cellphone service.
- Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel.
- 11 paid company holidays.
- 4 weeks annual paid time off.
About Northern Community Radio
Northern Community Radio is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our policy is to ensure equal employment opportunities in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines.
Like all team members, the Director of Audience Engagement will be expected to contribute to a work culture based upon respect, teamwork, and collaboration.
Our programs and employment are open to all. We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants, employees, or volunteers based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law or statute in any of our policies or programs. NCR fosters a culture of inclusion with equity, honesty, diversity, visibility, creativity, and trust as core values.
Position opened until filled.
**This position and the Northern Community Radio News Initiative are funded by grants from the Blandin Foundation, McKnight Foundation and the Bush Foundation with a plan to become self-sustaining. Contact us for grant information if interested.