Executive Director

KET-Kentucky Educational Television; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The Executive Director at Kentucky Authority for Educational Television (KET) leads Kentucky's statewide public media network, guiding strategy, operations, and educational services. The role seeks to expand impact, strengthen infrastructure, and deepen community engagement across the Commonwealth.

Applicants should have substantial senior-management experience, exceptional communication, and a proven ability to drive governance, fundraising, and collaboration with officials, donors, and

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of senior-management experience in organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated executive leadership in administration, planning, operations, or finance.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain a highly qualified workforce.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Judgment, adaptability, and objectivity to run a statewide public media organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expand relevance, reach, and impact of KET’s programs and services.
• Cultivate relationships with public officials, donors, partners, viewers, educators, and stakeholders.
• Ensure efficient and strategic use of personnel and financial resources in support of the mission.
• Oversee compliance with federal/state laws, FCC requirements, policies, and governing documents.
• Lead marketing and communications and represent KET before the public and stakeholders.
• Oversee management of KET, its foundation, and the Commonwealth Fund for KET, including HR and finance.
• Protect editorial independence and guard against undue influence.
• Navigate complex relationships with government, community, and partners.
• Grow government funding, private contributions, and other sustainable support.
• Guide programming, productions, and educational services development.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Financial oversight

Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

10+ years of progressively responsible related experience

Job description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kentucky Authority for Educational Television (KET)

The Opportunity

KET is Kentucky's statewide public media network, serving audiences across eight states and ten media markets. The Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership for KET and advances its public broadcasting and educational mission.

KET is at a key point in its evolution. The organization has expanded its local productions and educational services, strengthened its technical infrastructure, increased its digital capabilities, and deepened its engagement with communities across the Commonwealth. The next Executive Director will build on that momentum and help guide the future of a trusted, service-oriented educational institution.

KET welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Preference may be given to qualified current KET employees and to qualified applicants with substantial prior experience working with KET. Current employment or prior KET experience is not required, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration consistent with applicable equal employment opportunity requirements.

Applications accepted September 1 through September 21, 2026.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expand the relevance, reach, and impact of KET’s programs and services.
• Cultivate relationships with public officials, donors, community partners, viewers, educators, and other stakeholders to strengthen support and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure the efficient and strategic use of personnel and financial resources in support of KET’s mission, operations, technical infrastructure, programs, and services.
• Oversee compliance with applicable federal and state laws, FCC requirements, organizational policies, and governing documents.
• Maintain public credibility and trust and foster a professional, collaborative, and respectful workplace.

Primary Duties

• Communicate with, report to, and consult with the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television Board in a timely and effective manner.
• Oversee the management and operations of KET, the KET Foundation, and the Commonwealth Fund for KET, including human resources, finance, policy, compliance, legal affairs, and related administrative matters.
• Protect KET’s editorial and institutional independence and guard against undue influence.
• Navigate complex organizational, governmental, community, and stakeholder relationships.
• Increase the relevance and use of KET’s programs, services, and resources and expand community engagement.
• Support and grow governmental appropriations, private contributions, partnerships, and other sources of sustainable support.
• Oversee the strategic acquisition and development of programming, productions, and educational services.
• Guide innovation in digital media, content, technology, and distribution in response to changing audience expectations.
• Ensure adherence to applicable journalistic and editorial standards.
• Ensure facilities, technology, and operations are properly maintained and equipped.
• Lead effective marketing and communications and represent KET before the public, government officials, constituent groups, partners, media, and other stakeholders.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic vision and the ability to plan comprehensively across a complex organization.
• The ability to inspire confidence and support among employees, governing boards, donors, volunteers, viewers, public officials, and community partners.
• Sound judgment, decisiveness, diplomacy, discretion, integrity, impartiality, and objectivity.
• The ability to manage difficult issues, resolve conflict constructively, recognize and avoid conflicts of interest, and promote collaboration and teamwork.
• Political and organizational awareness appropriate for leadership of a statewide public media institution.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and ten or more years of progressively responsible related experience, including substantial senior-management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated executive leadership experience in organizational administration, strategic planning, operations, policy development, finance, human resources, compliance, or related functions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and retain a highly qualified workforce.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• The judgment, adaptability, and administrative versatility necessary to lead a comprehensive public media and telecommunications organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or prior substantial experience working with KET, including knowledge of its operations, personnel, services, governing statutes, corporate documents, or organizational structure.
• Significant knowledge of public media, educational services, digital media, broadcasting, or telecommunications, including current challenges and opportunities.
• Experience applying editorial and journalistic standards.
• Experience working effectively with public officials, governing boards, donors, community partners, and diverse constituencies.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the selected applicant. KET offers paid time off, health insurance plan options, retirement savings options, and a creative, mission-driven work environment with opportunities for professional collaboration and growth.

Equal Employment Opportunity

KET is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications and organizational needs, without unlawful discrimination. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position and to participate in the application process.