Managing Director, Production Operations and Special Projects

Public Media

1d • $135,800 - $173,800 • Hybrid

About The Position

GBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives. At GBH, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are hybrid and work both from home and onsite. Our current hybrid approach requires staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week, every Tuesday and Wednesday, Hybrid staff are also welcome to come in additional days each week or may be asked to come in on other days by their manager. JOB OVERVIEW Reporting to the Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief for FRONTLINE and Documentaries, the Managing Director, Production Operations and Special Projects, will lead all business, operational, and administrative functions for American Experience. Additionally, this position may support discrete duties and special projects across the GBH Documentary Unit. Serving as a trusted and productive partner to the Executive Producer, this key leadership role works closely and collaboratively with staff across many GBH departments as well as counterparts at PBS, PBS Distribution, production companies, philanthropic foundations, and journalism organizations, among others. Building and fostering relationships inside and out of the series is the heart of the job. This position sets priorities and deadlines for American Experience programming and the varied content the series produces across multiple platforms. This position serves as the point person for staff questions that may arise around all aspects of the series, program rights, production budgets and schedules, co-production deals, crediting, program listings and schedules, distribution, and personnel issues.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in developing and directing entrepreneurial strategies within complex organizations.
• Ability to identify areas for growth, experimentation, and innovation.
• A successful track record in securing funding from philanthropic foundations, major donors, government agencies, film associations, and corporate sponsors with established contacts within each sector.
• Acumen for budget forecasting and planning, accounting principles, and budgetary compliance issues required by PBS, and funders.
• Accuracy and detail are paramount to success.
• An accomplished negotiator that can broker deals that focus on the long-term relationship cultivated with co-production partners, funders, etc.
• Ability to present the series position on deal terms, to hold ground when necessary, and to mediate an equitable outcome for all parties.
• A natural convener and organizer that can work across internal units and within GBH and PBS to gather information and advice as needed to complete assignments, initiate new ventures, and solve problems.
• A perceptive, energetic individual who can affect change in a rapidly evolving and responsive environment.
• A self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset that can deliver results.
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources and multiple projects simultaneously that are time-sensitive and can change with short notice.
• Comfort with delegating assignments and voicing expectations for quality, timeliness, and accuracy.
• Ability to influence and inspire others; must have a presence.
• Ability to read people and situations.
• Capacity to think strategically and creatively; ability to navigate complex situations and to process large amounts of information quickly.
• Inspires confidence and encourages others to do their best work; strong relationship builder.
• Demonstrates a commitment and an established history towards diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make recommendations and decisions confidently with an appropriate amount of information; can bring accountability to the staff.
• Person of conviction/passion/intensity with a strong moral and ethical compass.
• The ability to listen attentively and observe and to offer considered advice and workable solutions.
• A person that exhibits flexibility, resilience, perspective and a healthy sense of humor, and a touch of human kindness.
• Knowledge of changing media landscape and industry trends; voracious news consumer.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• A seasoned leader with a minimum of 15+ years of leadership and project management experience and evaluation, preferably in news and documentary production.
• Familiarity with public media a plus.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Producer on the scheduling of programming, for Frontline and AmEx building and updating broadcast schedules, compiling program listings, and drafting station advisories, heading monthly calls with PBS Programming.
• Act as key liaison with PBS Distribution, leading monthly meetings, providing scheduling updates, supplying requested program content and promotional materials.
• Working in partnership with PBS Distribution to broker co-production deals and license sales with foreign broadcasters.
• Review co-production agreements and attend monthly meetings for the documentary unit (FRONTLINE, AmEx, and NOVA).
• Partner with the Senior Business Manager, AmEx, to review co-production budgets and reports as well as budgets for special projects and initiatives.
• Provide input and editorial guidance on all series finances and budgeting for series funding proposals.
• Manage all administrative and operational aspects of fundraising for FRONTLINE and American Experience.
• Working closely with Foundation Development, Major Gifts, and Corporate Sponsorship, the Managing Director will vet prospective funders, review proposals and required reports, build premium sponsor packages, and advise on direct solicitation messaging.
• Reviewing budget submissions prepared by FRONTLINE and American Experience’s business teams to ensure alignment with narratives.
• Compile and draft PBS proposals and reports for FRONTLINE and AmEx, seek approvals from department leads and senior editorial staff.
• Consulting on accompanying budgets prepared by FRONTLINE’s Senior Director, Business Operations, and American Experience’s Senior Business Manager.
• In collaboration with the Managing Director, Strategy and Partnerships provide input for all internal and external communication matters, including crises; create short- and long-term plans for the series that can be easily presented, shared, and measured.
• Liaise with PBS about compliance issues and standards & practices (credits, funder approvals, etc.)
• Liaise with Station Relations and Learning Media, keeping colleagues updated on American Experience programming and initiatives.
• Partner with the Senior Director, Digital Media in the creation and distribution of digital content for YouTube and PBS.org.
• Broker business partnerships with national newspapers, magazines, broadcasters, and public media organizations and in collaboration with the Legal and Contracts team, negotiate contractual terms with key stakeholders – independent producers, co-production partners, funders, and program talent.
• Advise on award submissions for American Experience productions.
• Devise new and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives to support the series and their ambitions financially.
• Lead and manage assigned special projects by the Executive Producer.
• Act as series principal contact with GBH Human Resources, partnering with AmEx and Docs staff with hiring, training, professional development, and other staff needs; partner with human resources, and support and communicate to staff all GBH-related initiatives.

Benefits

• GBH is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve are diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, GBH does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment, or promotion based on race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• GBH will reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities who need adjustments to participate in the application or interview process. To initiate an accommodation request, contact the Human Resource department by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 617-300-2000.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive