News Director

Boise State Public Radio; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Boise State Public Radio seeks a News Manager to supervise all aspects of the Boise news department, including assigning and editing stories for newscasts, planning features, and local/public service programming. The role requires overseeing staff, collaborating with regional partners, and guiding coverage that serves the community.

The News Manager will lead editorial decision-making, maintain journalistic standards, and ensure timely, accurate reporting across traditional and digital

Qualifications

• Strong editorial judgment and news decision-making skills.
• Multiple years of editing in a news environment.
• Experience with digital news platforms and multimedia storytelling.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and team management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Directs the gathering and production of news for newscasts, features, spots, wraps, interviews and long-form programs.
• Oversees day-to-day news department operations and long-range planning, including assigning staff.
• Collaborates with external news partners and regional bureaus.
• Recruits, hires, and supervises department personnel including reporters, staff, interns, and freelancers.
• Supports election coverage and local news programs like Idaho Matters and related events.
• Develops and executes distribution of news through digital platforms.
• Manages fiscal direction of the news department in line with management guidance.
• Ensures compliance with journalism ethics and regulations.

Skills

Editorial judgment

News editing

Digital news platforms

Multimedia storytelling

Writing and storytelling

Leadership and mentoring

Team management

News partnerships

News production processes

Journalism ethics

Tools

Newsroom software

Content management systems

Job description

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The News Manager supervises all aspects of the Boise State Public Radio news department, including assigning and editing stories for newscasts, planning feature stories, and local news and public service programming.

This position is not eligible for a hybrid/remote work schedule.

This position is not eligible for VISA sponsorship.

Department Overview: Boise State Public Radio is Idaho's largest nonprofit, listener-supported NPR member station, reaching the region's metropolitan and rural areas. Our radio network serves two-thirds of the population of Idaho through 28 transmitters & translators, as well as on digital platforms.

As the only sources of quality public radio news, classical music, jazz and unique cultural programming, our radio stations are distinct in their mission, their audience and their partnerships.

Level Scope:

Provides direct supervision typically to professionals or skilled technical employees at the entry or intermediate level. Functions as advisor to unit and administration and sets goals and objectives for team members for achievement of operational results. Analyzes and resolves problems through drawing from prior experiences. Interprets policies (e.g., fiscal management, HR, contracts and grants, resource management in defined areas) and demonstrates solid subject matter knowledge. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action. Supervises staff to ensure accountability and stewardship of campus resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.

Essential Functions:

• Directs the gathering and production of news in the form of newscast material, features, spots, wraps, interviews and long-form radio programs for broadcast.
• Oversees day-to-day news department operations as well as long-range department planning, including assigning and editing full-time and part-time staff, ensuring that news issues are adequately addressed for Boise State Public Radio's audience.
• Collaborates with the Mountain West News Bureau to include and provide news of regional interest.
• Recruits, hires, and supervises department personnel, including station reporters, full-time and part-time staff, students, interns, volunteers, and freelancers.
• Supports and collaborates on Boise State Public Radio's public affairs programming, including special election coverage, the local daily show Idaho Matters, and quarterly news series and related events.
• Works with other Boise State Public Radio staff to develop and execute the distribution of news through its digital platforms.
• Develops annual strategic plan for news department and oversees fiscal direction of news department under the advisement of Boise State Public Radio's management.
• Ensures compliance with journalism ethics, university policies, and federal, state, and local regulations governing news coverage.
• Is responsible for creating and maintaining the Quarterly Issues and Programs report for the public file in accordance with FCC regulations.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned, including on-air fundraising efforts.
• Contribute reporting and hosting on an as-needed basis.
• Perform other duties when needed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong editorial judgment and news decision-making skills.
• Multiple years of editing in a news environment.
• Experience with digital news platforms and multimedia storytelling.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficient in newsroom software and content management systems.
• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and team management abilities.
• Ability to collaborate and work with external news partners.
• Thorough understanding of news production processes.
• Strong understanding of media law and journalism ethics.
• Commitment to maintaining high journalistic standards.
• Ability to represent Boise State Public Radio in public engagement events.
• In addition to having a firm understanding of the community service role of noncommercial broadcast journalism, he or she must also have solid news judgment - the ability to determine which stories are most informative and the greatest value to the communities Boise State Public Radio serves.