News Director: Lead Data-Driven Public Media Newsroom

Colorado Press Association; Greeley (CO); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

Holidays

Professional development

Hybrid work options

Job summary

KUNC in Fort Collins, CO, seeks an experienced News Director to lead its 12-person newsroom. The role combines senior editorial vision with people management, budget oversight, and cross-platform leadership to advance independent public service journalism.

You will set priorities, build systems for planning and distribution across broadcast, web, newsletters, podcasts, and social channels, and ensure reporting reflects community needs with accuracy and ethics.

Qualifications

• At least six years of journalism or content leadership experience.
• At least three years of direct people-management experience.
• Experience leading, editing, and coaching high-quality audio journalism across platforms.
• At least one year of developing and/or being directly responsible for a budget.
• Demonstrated experience using audience data, KPIs, analytics, or performance information to guide editorial and operational decisions.
• Ability to manage staff through organizational transition and new ways of working.
• Willing to reside in Fort Collins four days a week.

Responsibilities

• Lead KUNC’s 12-person newsroom with strong news judgment and ethical standards.
• Develop editorial routines and planning systems for story generation and distribution across multiple platforms.
• Set editorial priorities using strategic plan, audience needs, and data.
• Coordinate broadcast, web, newsletters, podcasts, social media, streaming, and events as one strategy.
• Develop and monitor the newsroom budget and resources.
• Lead meaningful newsroom change with clarity, empathy, and accountability.
• Supervise and develop newsroom staff, providing regular feedback and performance conversations.
• Communicate with the President & CEO and other executives about coverage and strategy.

Skills

News leadership

Editorial decision-making

People management

Budget management

KPIs analytics

Cross-platform journalism

Audio journalism

Digital publishing

Editorial judgment

Change management

Job description

KUNC in Fort Collins, CO, seeks an experienced News Director to lead its 12-person newsroom. The role combines senior editorial vision with people management, budget oversight, and cross-platform leadership to advance independent public service journalism.

You will set priorities, build systems for planning and distribution across broadcast, web, newsletters, podcasts, and social channels, and ensure reporting reflects community needs with accuracy and ethics.