Job Description
Title: Executive Director, TV Programming, Video Production and Distribution
Schedule Format - Location: Hybrid - San Francisco
Pay Information: $151182.00 - $188,977.00 Annually
Position Summary: The Executive Director, TV Programming, Video Production and Distribution is a strategic leader responsible for the acquisition, curation, scheduling, production, and distribution of KQED's television and digital video content. This role ensures that programming across KQED 9, KQED Plus, and digital platforms such as PBS Passport, KQED.org, and emerging digital distribution channels serves the Bay Area audience with impact, relevance, and reach. The Executive Director builds and maintains strategic partnerships with independent producers, distributors, and national public media organizations, while also overseeing internal production efforts, editorial direction, digital video distribution strategies, and presenting station services.
This position leads cross-functional teams, manages budgets, develops sustainability and business plans, negotiates contracts, and collaborates across departments to drive audience growth, enhance revenue opportunities, and amplify KQED’s brand across all platforms.
KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling.
We value the contributions of marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people — and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and we strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.
KQED Code of Ethics
The mission that drives us:
KQED provide citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone and engage audiences to share their stories. We help students and teachers thrive in 21st-century classrooms, and take people of all ages on journeys of exploration- exposing them to new people, places and ideas.
This role will work hybrid between working in KQED's newly renovated headquarters and working remotely.
Essential Functions Programming Strategy & Acquisition - Develop and oversee program scheduling strategies for KQED 9, KQED Plus, and digital platforms.
- Oversee The Programming Service to acquire, curate, and schedule programming to maximize viewership and audience flow.
- Manage programming acquisition budgets and negotiate contracts with external content providers.
- Guide distribution initiatives toward acquisitions for both broadcast and digital distribution including FAST channel(s), local and national.
- Monitor content areas for growth and evolving audience interest, aligning with KQED’s strategic plans.
- Evaluate audience analytics and viewing trends to inform programming and editorial decisions.
- Maintain strategic relationships with producers, distributors, and stakeholders in public media.
- Directly manage KQED TV Programming and Traffic Managers.
Content Production & Editorial Oversight - Serve as Executive Producer for Check, Please! Bay Area as well as select KQED TV and digital productions (KQED Live events for TV, short-form digital series, etc.).
- Oversee editorial direction, production planning, staffing, budgeting, and post-production for assigned across multiple video platforms. .
- Ensure editorial integrity and adherence to KQED’s journalistic standards across all content.
- Collaborate across departments (Audience Development, Membership, Sponsorship) to align content with growth, promotion, and engagement goals.
- Conduct regular production reviews and implement process improvements.
- Directly manage Check, Please! Bay Area senior producer, Audience Engagement producers and Video Content Development Manager.
Business & Revenue Development - Develop, set goals, and monitor sustainability plans for existing and new programs in collaboration with editorial, audience development, and sponsorship teams.
- Cultivate income opportunities through KQED distribution, corporate sponsorship, major donors, membership, and digital fundraising, as well as partnerships, distributors, and co-productions.
- Provide regular analysis of audience metrics, business plans, and budget updates.
- Oversee strategic assessments of programming and production initiatives based on mission alignment, ROI, and audience impact.
- Help define a unified content strategy across all video platforms.
KQED Distribution - Manage the full lifecycle of presenting services for independent and KQED productions, including contracting, technical delivery, rights management, and scheduling.
- Represent KQED’s broadcast and digital content to national public television distributors (PBS, APT, NETA).
- Supervise third-party service providers delivering presenting station services.
- Coordinate with KQED Legal on all presenting-related contracts.
- Ensure compliance with PBS Redbook and FCC technical and underwriting standards.
- Directly manage Distribution & Acquisitions Associate.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Leadership - Inspire, lead, and develop teams including TV Programming, Traffic Managers, and production staff.
- Present programming strategy and schedules at internal meetings and external partner events.
- Partner with Creative Services, Membership, Development, and Corporate Sponsorship to align content offerings with fundraising and branding goals.
- Collaborate with digital teams to maximize reach and sustainability across new and existing platforms.
Knowledge/Experience Desired - Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting, Communications or Media.
- Minimum of five years of experience in television programming, preferably in public broadcasting.
- Minimum of five years of experience in television or digital distribution, preferably with a national broadcasting or digital media organization.
- Experience in interpreting and analyzing Nielsen ratings, digital analytics, and audience research.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage business and sustainability plans for media programs.
- Strong relationship management skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to compose effective correspondence, reports, and proposals.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, database software, ProTrack, Mediator, and familiarity with digital video platforms.
- Knowledge of PBS and FCC rules and regulations.
- Experience working effectively with Programming, Operations, Marketing, Legal, Production, and Development teams.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work under constant deadline pressure.
- Ability to travel as needed.
- Ability to constantly sit for six to eight hours; ability to occasionally walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, crawl, twist, as well as push and pull for three hours; as well as ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
#LI-hybrid
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Remote work,