Program Director

Nevada System of Higher Education • Reno, NV

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the General Manager of KUNR/KNCJ Public Radio, the Program Director provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for the broadcast programming and on-air operations of KUNR Public Radio, KNCJ Nevada’s Classical and Jazz, and KNCC Elko. This position plays a central role in shaping the station’s sound, programming strategy, audience experience, and overall broadcast quality while ensuring that programming meets professional public media standards and FCC requirements. The Program Director leads, coaches, and develops KUNR’s full-time and part-time on-air talent and works closely with newsroom and station leadership to strengthen local programming and storytelling across platforms. The position oversees programming systems, broadcast automation, program schedules, network content, and technical audio quality to ensure reliable and seamless service to listeners. The Program Director also serves as an on-air host and participates in fundraising, community events, and other activities that advance KUNR’s mission and connection with its audience. This position is well suited for a public media professional who combines strong editorial and programming judgment with leadership, technical aptitude, journalistic integrity, creativity, and a passion for developing people and serving audiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and four years of professional work experience; OR a Master’s Degree and two years of professional work experience
• Related experience: On-air broadcasting, news collection, reporting, radio programming, or a closely related media field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for the broadcast programming and on-air operations of KUNR Public Radio, KNCJ Nevada’s Classical and Jazz, and KNCC Elko.
• Shape the station’s sound, programming strategy, audience experience, and overall broadcast quality.
• Ensure programming meets professional public media standards and FCC requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop KUNR’s full-time and part-time on-air talent.
• Work closely with newsroom and station leadership to strengthen local programming and storytelling across platforms.
• Oversee programming systems, broadcast automation, program schedules, network content, and technical audio quality.
• Serve as an on-air host.
• Participate in fundraising, community events, and other activities that advance KUNR’s mission and connection with its audience.
• Shape KUNR’s sound and programming strategy while balancing local storytelling with high-quality national public media content.
• Develop and mentor on-air talent, helping broadcasters grow professionally and strengthening the overall quality of the station.
• Champion local programming and help identify opportunities for new programs, podcasts, partnerships, and content distribution.
• Work across departments with newsroom, engineering, development, and station leadership to advance KUNR’s mission.
• Engage with the community through events, partnerships, interviews, and public media initiatives.
• Help guide the station’s future, using audience information, emerging technologies, and evolving public media practices to improve the listener experience.
• Be part of a university environment that connects public media, journalism, education, and service to the Northern Nevada community.

Benefits

• Health insurance options including dental and vision
• Generous annual and sick leave and life insurance
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options.
• Local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments.
• Reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents (up to six credits per semester for faculty, unlimited for eligible dependents).
• Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program provides resources and assists new faculty spouses/partners in identifying career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

What This Job Offers

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