Director, Standards & Practices

PBS; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonuses

Insurance options (medical, dental, V/

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

PBS is seeking a Director, Standards & Practices to administer policy guidelines for national programming and ensure editorial integrity and funding compliance.

You will collaborate with PBS member stations and producers, provide training, analyze funder considerations, and lead online training efforts in partnership with PBS Programming. A Bachelor's degree is required, with journalism or media ethics experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; journalism or media ethics experience preferred.
• Excellent analytical and collaboration skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Highly organized; able to multi-task and prioritize.
• Deadline-oriented, flexible, and self-motivated.
• Experience using primary and secondary research to inform recommendations.
• Proactive, diplomatic, and solution-oriented problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Administer PBS Editorial Standards & Practices, Funding Standards & Practices, and Co-Production Guidelines to ensure PBS national programming complies with core policies.
• Conduct research and analysis on funder acceptability and other issues.
• Assist with training PBS member stations and producers through webinars, conferences, and seminars.
• Analyze data from the PBS Standards companion website to inform decisions on content and training.
• Lead efforts to ensure syndicated PLUS producers complete required Editorial Standards online training.
• Build and foster relationships with PBS member stations and content producers.
• Collaborate with PBS Programming on policy-related issues; support review and troubleshooting.
• Contribute to innovative problem solving and drive projects to completion.
• Participate in special projects within the department.

Skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Organization and multi-tasking

Deadline-oriented

Research experience

Problem-solving

Industry awareness

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Title

Director, Standards & Practices

Department

Standards & Practices

Corporate Area

Office of the Chief Legal Officer

Status

Regular, Full time Exempt

Manager Title

VP, Standards & Practices and Associate General Counsel

Position Overview

The PBS Standards & Practices department is responsible for administering the PBS policies that support PBS national programming, ensuring that content meets the highest standards of editorial integrity, appropriately identifies funding sources, and complies with regulatory requirements.

The Director, Standards & Practices will work collaboratively with PBS member stations, PBS content producers, and across PBS departments, including Programming and Digital, to ensure compliance with PBS funding and editorial standards.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to

• Administer the PBS Editorial Standards & Practices, PBS Funding Standards & Practices, and PBS Co-Production Guidelines to ensure that PBS national programming complies with the core policies.

• Conduct research and analysis on funder acceptability and various other issues.

• Assist with training PBS member stations and producers about PBS's policies through webinars, conferences, and seminars.

• Analyze data from the PBS Standards companion website to make informed decisions about future content and training.

• Lead effort to ensure syndicated PLUS producers are completing the required PBS Editorial Standards online training course in collaboration with PBS Programming.

• Build and foster relationships with PBS member stations and content producers.

• Work closely with the PBS Programming department in the review and troubleshooting of policy-related issues.

• Contribute to innovative and creative problem solving to proactively drive projects to completion.

• Collaborate with others in the department on any special projects as assigned.

Requirements for success

• Bachelor's degree required

• Journalism or media ethics experience preferred; title and compensation commensurate with experience

• Exceptional analytical skills and strong collaboration skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Highly organized with the ability to multi-task and prioritize

• Deadline-oriented, flexible, and self-motivated

• Experience using primary and secondary research to inform recommendations

• Strong diplomacy and proactive, solution-oriented problem-solving skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, assisting with special projects on an ad hoc basis

• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex issues, while working effectively both as a team player and independently

• Keeps abreast of latest trends in media, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and other related industries

• Proficient in PC environment, including Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

The base pay range for this position at the beginning of employment is expected to be between $95,000 and $105,000. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will also include other elements for eligible employees, including: (i) eligibility for discretionary bonuses; (ii) various insurance options, including medical, dental, vision, hearing, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance; (iii) identity protection program; (iv) employee assistance program; (v) financial and retirement savings benefits including the PBS Retirement Plan 403(b); (vi) paid time off (17 days per year), paid sick time benefits (12 days per year), paid parental leave (60 days / 12 weeks ), and paid holidays (12 days per year). Details of these benefit plans will be provided upon request. The application window for this position is expected to close on 7/31/2026.

If hired, the employee will be in an "at-will position," and the Company reserves the right to modify the base hourly rate/salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with the EEOC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.