News Director

Date Posted: 12.06.2022
Job Title: News Director
Reports To: CEO/General Manager 
FLSA Designation: Exempt
Location: KAXE – Grand Rapids, KBXE – Bemidji
Compensation: $51,000 - $60,000 Annual Salary 
Other benefits include:

• Group Health Insurance
• Company paid life insurance
• 5% company paid SEP
• Company paid cell phone service
• 11 paid company holidays
• 4 weeks annual paid time off

Summary:

KAXE, the first rural public radio station in the nation founded in 1976, believes rural people deserve a robust and reliable media. We are seeking a qualified News Director candidate to build a fully funded newsroom that will engage and inform local people.

According to the Society of Professional Journalists, the loss of local journalism has magnified the spread of misinformation and created news deserts especially in poor and rural communities. The closure of locally owned news outlets has meant that communities have lost reliable sources for news. Lack of local news can lead to voter participation declines, local government and business corruption and even increases in taxes and government spending. Citizens become disconnected from their home communities.

The News Director will expand and create the station’s local coverage as part of the *Northern Community News Initiative. The ideal applicant is an established journalist (in print, radio or digital) with a track record of excellence, proven leadership skills and a commitment to the editorial ethics of public media and professional journalism.

We are looking for a candidate who can excel personally while bringing out the best in others. Curiosity, strong media ethics, outstanding news awareness and judgement, plus the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, are essential skills for this job. The ideal candidate is also someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, both within the organization and through projects with editorial partners in the public media system and non-partisan news sources. Possessing a network of connections in the world of journalism is highly encouraged.

Applicants should also bring with them creative approaches to storytelling, and the ability to apply those skills to broadcast, podcast and other digital content. We want humanity to be visible in our news with ethical fact-checking and transparency as core values. Investigative or data journalism experience is welcomed.

This position is based at KAXE’s studio in Grand Rapids or KBXE’s studio in Bemidji with the possibility of some remote work. This is an at-will position. The ideal candidate will have a knowledge or curiosity of the complexity and diversity of rural life in northern Minnesota.

Northern Community Radio a non-profit, 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. Founded in 1976, KAXE/KBXE is a NPR affiliate and a member of AMPERS.

News Director Responsibilities:

• Oversee news content for broadcast and digital platforms 
• Participate and cultivate a culture of candor  
• Recruit and assist in hiring of reporting staff 
• Conduct editorial meetings with staff, evaluate pitches, assign stories 
• Guide reporters through the editorial process and edit their work 
• Collaborate and build relationships with other nonprofit news sources for wider distribution of our work through collaborative projects 
• Supervise newscast production and operations 
• Report, write and edit news content as needed 
• Facilitate news-focused station events and community engagement activities 
• Maintain high standards for journalism ethics and instill the values of fairness, accuracy, transparency and honesty within our work and our team 
• Work closely with the station’s Content Director to integrate reporting into local broadcasts of NPR news magazines, station podcasts, KAXE.org, etc. 
• Interact with station staff, volunteers, listeners and others at events, during membership drives, and in other settings 
• Perform work in a timely manner with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment 
• Other duties as assigned 

Desired Qualifications:

• College degree, preferably in journalism, communications or a related field 
• Diverse professional journalism experience  
• Experience with multimedia / audio production/ print journalism 
• Experience working with other reporters in a collaborative environment 
• Prior management and/or editorial experience preferred 
• Interest or experience in rural communities preferred 

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 of our team members, the News Director will be expected to contribute to a work culture based upon respect, teamwork, and collaboration. The News Director will support the leadership team in ensuring equitable experiences, strengthening inclusion, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces the contributions of all team members.

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.

The statements made herein are intended to describe the nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Position open until filled.

*This position and the Northern Community Radio News Initiative is funded by grants from the Blandin Foundation and the Northland Foundation with a plan to become self-sustaining. Contact us for grant information if interested.