Executive Director Educational Communications Board

Ourlivesmadison; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Educational Communications Board (ECB) seeks an Executive Director to lead the agency, partnered with the University of Wisconsin–Madison for Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin. The role involves strategic direction, budgeting, and overseeing statewide public media services.

The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors and shares joint oversight of PBS Wisconsin and WPR with the UW–Madison division’s executive director. Strong leadership and policy experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an organization or business unit, including developing strategic direction and budget strategies.
• Experience developing and maintaining positive working relationships with external stakeholders.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the broadcast industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Educational Communications Board and oversee relationships with PBS Wisconsin and WPR.
• Work with the Board of Directors to review and approve agency activities and performance.
• Collaborate with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to ensure statewide delivery of public media and education services.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Staff management

Stakeholder relations

Policy & compliance

Operations management

Workforce development

Statutory frameworks

Decision making

Continuity planning

Job description

The Educational Communications Board (ECB), is seeking an Executive Director. ECB is an independent state of Wisconsin agency that works in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison to operate Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and PBS Wisconsin, ensuring the delivery of public media and education services to a statewide audience. ECB also operates and maintains the statewide network of National Weather Service transmitters as well as the technical backbone for the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and AMBER Alert.

The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors (Wis. Stats. 15.57). The Board meets quarterly to review, advise and approve the activities of the agency, and conducts an annual review of the Executive Director’s performance. The Executive Director shares joint oversight of PBS Wisconsin and the WPR networks with the executive director of the division of Wisconsin Public Media (WPM) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Experience leading an organization or business unit, this may include:
  • developing strategic direction
  • developing state and budget strategies
  • managing operations of a business unit
  • understanding of complex, multi-fund source budgets
  • managing staff and implementing personnel policies
  • managing workforce development and employee engagement strategies
  • understanding statutory frameworks for agency or organizational operations
  • analyzing complex situations and making senior level decisions
  • creating or implementing continuity of operations plans
• Experience developing and maintaining positive working relationships with external stakeholders. This may include:
  • developing and implementing a legislative advocacy strategy
  • working positively with fundraising organizations
  • working constructively with key partners to deliver high-quality products or services.

Well-qualified candidates may also have:

• Experience in the broadcasting or related industry
• Experience with an organization providing services over a large geographic area
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the broadcast industry