KUNM, a beacon of informed public discourse and cultural enrichment in Albuquerque, NM, serves its community with a diverse blend of news, music, arts, and educational content. Licensed to the University of New Mexico, KUNM has reached audiences across the state since its founding nearly 65 years ago. KUNM is more than just a radio station; it is a hub for connection and storytelling. With its dedicated team of professionals and more than 80 volunteers, the station provides vital news coverage, thought-provoking discussions, and a wide array of music genres, reflecting the distinct character of New Mexico. KUNM is deeply rooted in its mission to serve the public interest, championing inclusivity and ensuring that all members of the community have access to quality programming that informs, educates, and inspires. By fostering partnerships with local organizations and engaging listeners in meaningful ways, KUNM plays a pivotal role in enriching the cultural and intellectual fabric of the region. The next General Manager will play a critical role in guiding KUNM’s strategic direction, fostering innovation, organizational growth, and financial stability while ensuring the station continues to meet the evolving needs of the diverse communities that it serves. This position calls for a dynamic and seasoned professional who understands public media’s crucial role in a culturally diverse society, can effectively collaborate with a range of stakeholders, and will lead a dedicated team towards achieving the station’s ambitious goals.
The following information aims to provide potential candidates with a better understanding of the requirements for this role.
Salary : $120,000 – $130,000 based on experience and education, plus generous benefits Minimum Requirements :
The qualified candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree, at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Professional Qualifications and Personal Characteristics : Vision :
- Has a working knowledge of the regulatory environment in which public radio stations operate;
- Can see and understand future trends in public media, in related fields and the world, and the impact on our work and workplace;
- Has a learning orientation, including demonstrated methods for gathering, assimilating and making sense of information about the changing media, technology and demographic landscape;
- Can balance vision with doing;
- Is able to lead key stakeholders in working together to develop and execute a shared vision.
Diversity / Equity / Inclusion :
Experience working in and contributing to a diverse community, with a commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs, perspectives, and values of all individuals;Demonstrated success in fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace, building strong relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and engaging effectively with underrepresented communities;High level of expertise in best practices;Engagement in diversity-focused hiring practices, from position announcements to recruiting and interviewing;Lifelong learner – adapting to context, openness, curiosity, tolerance for ambiguity.Communication :
Can work within a wide range of communication styles and build relationships with a diverse set of people;Is capable of articulating ideas clearly and persuasively when speaking to diverse audiences;Is an effective listener who actively seeks to understand the needs and concerns of colleagues, community members, and stakeholders;Is an organized thinker and effective writer;Facilitates effective team communication, ensuring all staff members are informed, engaged, and motivated;Is an effective spokesperson for the organization.Leadership With Integrity :
Be a selfless, effective change agent who puts the mission and success of KUNM first;Be a respectful, honest, sincere, courageous, and ethical person of substance;Demonstrate a commitment to, and practice of candor and transparency;Have great people skills and be effective with a wide range of stakeholders – from the University, to the Radio Board, Staff, volunteers, individual donors and regional legislative, congressional, business and community leaders;Demonstrate a record of being able to identify, confront, analyze and resolve ethical challenges or conflicts of interest.Industry Knowledge (radio, TV, internet, media, etc) :
Has a high level of understanding of the importance, issues and trends of localism, and ability to lead KUNM in this area;Is skilled at providing strategic management, including investment decisions related to maintaining effectiveness of our studio, geographically dispersed television transmitting and digital capacity;Is technologically competent in the content area, fluent with strategic and tactical aspects of digital and social media, and able to provide effective leadership towards identifying and adopting new platforms.Community Relationships :
Collaborate with local artists, educators, and cultural institutions to enrich programming and reflect the unique cultural landscape of New Mexico;Be a skilled communicator with a wide range of people, including at high levels (and being seen as peer) of civic leadership in the region;Advocate for community issues and interests through dedicated programming and support of local initiatives, reinforcing the station's role as a community pillar;Foster partnerships with local businesses and non-profits, exploring opportunities for joint projects that benefit the community and enhance the station's impact.Change Management :
Understands the impact of culture on change efforts and is able to successfully navigate cultural as well as process change;Highly developed skill at prioritizing, and accomplished at sequencing change;Is personally creative and able to act on that creativity;Is open-minded and a good learner;Has a focus on innovative models and conquering challenges;Sees possibilities even in the face of severe difficulties;Is an out-of-the-box thinker.Fundraising :
Understands the process of donor development;Has a demonstrated record of success with major donor fundraising;Is effective as a mission spokesperson and at relationship management aspects of fundraising, both individual and institutional;Has a comprehensive understanding of public media fundraising strategies and methods;Is creative and capable of conceiving and developing alternative revenue streams.Collaboration :
Strong emotional intelligence and communication skills, capable of addressing conflicts with empathy and fairness, while ensuring all parties feel heard and valued;A proven track record of building consensus among diverse groups, leveraging negotiation and problem-solving skills to align team and organizational objectives;Experienced in change management, adept at leading organizational transitions with strategic planning, clear communication, and stakeholder engagement;An ability to lead by example in promoting a collaborative work environment, where diverse opinions are valued and integrated into decision-making processes;Implementing systems and tools that enhance team collaboration and project management, ensuring efficient workflow and alignment on shared goals;A capacity to discern strengths and weaknesses of potential and current partners;Being able to identify and accept responsibility for missteps, and equally quick to credit others for contributions and success.Financial Acumen :
Understands basic concepts of financial management and nonprofit financial reporting;Ability to recognize and report key performance indicators to the University and staff;Ability to develop, administer, and comply with a budget;Ability to manage cash flow in a complex environment;Ability to anticipate and plan for needed investments in facilities and technology;Provides context for decisions based on KUNM’s current financial position and outcomes of past actions.To Apply :
KUNM is being assisted in this search by Livingston Associates. For consideration, please submit a resume and a letter of introduction that describes how you will be the ideal person to lead the organization. Please follow this link to apply- Apply Here
Date for full consideration : January 17th, 2025
Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates at (509) 355-1974.
Equal Employment and Nondiscrimination :
KUNM and The University of New Mexico are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. They are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. The full policy can be found here.
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Salary : $120,000 - $130,000
