Director, Office of Student Media

Louisiana State University • Campbell, CA

7d

About The Position

The Director of the Office of Student Media is the senior administrator responsible for the strategic, financial, and journalistic direction of LSU’s student-run media organizations, including The Reveille, The Mag, KLSU, Tiger TV, and Gumbo. Reporting to the Dean of the Manship School of Mass Communication, the Director leads a professional staff, oversees departmental operations, and serves as the primary liaison to university leadership. While each student outlet is supported by its own editorial advisor, the Director provides macro-level oversight, promotes adherence to industry standards, and ensures that Student Media remains a forward-looking, student-centered operation. The Director collaborates closely with the Assistant Director to implement initiatives that support student learning, operational excellence, and cross-platform innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mass comm, journalism, digital media or related field; 7 years of experience.
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encourages to apply--a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in mass comm, journalism, digital media or related field; 7+ years of experience.
• Specific Experience - Professional media experience in broadcast, radio or digital media.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term planning and departmental vision-setting in collaboration with students, staff, and the Dean’s office.
• Represent Student Media at university meetings, planning groups, and campus events as the official departmental lead.
• Leads planning and execution of semesterly board meetings, including identifying and appointing board members. agenda setting, and coordination with university stakeholders. The Director is responsible for setting the agenda and stakeholder communication, with logistical support provided by the Media Operations Manager.
• Serve as spokesperson for the department in high-level conversations related to freedom of speech, editorial concerns, or institutional alignment.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director to oversee major initiatives, ensure goal alignment, and support departmental cohesion.
• Champions a strategic vision that ensures the organization serves as a platform for student opportunity and financial viability adhering to all university fiscal policies.
• Oversee the departmental budget in full compliance with university fiscal policies.
• Oversee purchasing, staffing allocations, travel approvals, and compliance with university procurement protocols.
• Responsible for stewardship of all departmental funds, ensuring appropriate use of both operational and foundation resources.
• Oversees preparation and submission of the annual departmental budget to LOBA in accordance with fiscal year deadlines.
• Ensure financial transparency through routine budget monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director to ensure strategic alignment of operational logistics, space usage, and capital resource deployment.
• Work with university partners on long-term resource planning, including capital investment and technology needs.
• Provides oversight to ensure KLSU, the student-run campus radio station, operates in strict compliance with all FCC regulations and broadcasting standards.
• Supervise professional staff, including the Assistant Director, Reveille Advisor Faculty, Tiger TV Advisor Faculty, and Media Engineer, providing clear expectations, evaluations, and developmental support.
• Facilitates mid-year and annual review sessions for full-time staff, providing constructive feedback and identifying growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director to ensure seamless coordination across operations, marketing, training, and editorial advising.
• Provide strategic editorial leadership across all platforms, making sure students and advisors adhere to SPJ ethics.
• Maintain regular contact with student leaders and outlet advisors (The Reveille, The Mag, KLSU, Tiger TV, and Gumbo) to align departmental direction with journalistic best practices.
• Stay current on national and regional trends in student and professional media, and integrate relevant innovations into long-term planning.
• Ensure consistent application of journalistic principles across all student-run outlets without interfering with the autonomy of designated advisors.
• Cultivate relationships with local media, professional organizations, alumni, and donors to promote Student Media’s visibility and impact.
• Respond to external concerns about content or coverage with a commitment to transparency and editorial independence.
• Lead departmental advocacy efforts related to student media literacy, public communication, and First Amendment education.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director on alumni outreach, donor engagement, and capital campaign efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
• Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance.
• Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees