KPBS Director of News

This position is scheduled to close on 8/27/2026 at 4:00pm (PST).

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming. KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego. Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience. It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule (varies by position)
• 10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s) (FSA)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

The Director of News leads the operations of the KPBS newsroom, providing strategic leadership, ensuring journalistic standards, and exhibiting editorial judgment and oversight across multiple platforms. Reporting to the Chief Content Officer, this position supervises the Managing Editor and the Newsroom Office Manager and guides a newsroom composed of editors, reporters, producers, videojournalists, anchors, and hosts.

The Director of News is responsible for articulating and establishing a news vision and charting strategic efforts as well as aligning the newsroom with organizational goals, ensuring a focus on serving the public and fulfilling the organization’s mission. The incumbent will provide excellent leadership, foster an environment of belonging, and ensure quality and integrity are central to the work of the department.

Responsible for the newsroom budget, strategic plans, and annual goals, this position leads the development and implementation of measurable strategies for audience growth and analyzes and responds to trends in public media and the general media landscape. The Director of News is expected to engage throughout the organization, partnering with Management Council, members of the Leadership Team, and other departments as well as directly with the community, donors, and campus partners.

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

The Director of News is responsible for but not limited to:

Leadership (60%)

• Manage newsroom leadership and staff to ensure quality across all platforms while establishing and integrating a unified editorial vision into all reporting and programming
• Provide and set clear editorial priorities to news leaders and news staff and effectively communicate organizational goals
• Develop and establish effective engagement and feedback efforts and strategies to ensure effective communication throughout all levels of the newsroom
• Establish, communicate, and ensure journalistic standards are met by each member of the newsroom. Guide managers and staff on NPR Guidelines and other journalistic standards
• Lead the continuous assessment and refinement of news coverage to identify growth opportunities, better serve the community, and distinctively position KPBS ahead of the competition
• Lead the development of a digital-centered approach and strategy that can be developed, implemented, and refined throughout the newsroom
• Provide leadership and guidance to news leaders regarding management, supervision, union contract requirements, and organizational expectations
• Ensure leadership development and training of news managers as well as effective teamwork, communication, and collaboration among newsroom staff
• Provide strategic guidance and support for departmental professional development and training efforts
• Ensure accountability regarding deadlines, budgets, quality, and mission alignment
• Support innovation in storytelling and throughout the newsroom. Partner with other departments and build cases for support as needed
• Foster an environment of belonging where different identities and perspectives are respected
• Serve as a member of the KPBS Leadership Team and engage with departments throughout the organization
• Review and approve sensitive, high-profile, and/or legally complex stories
• Oversee corrections, clarifications, and accountability procedures. Ensure accountability procedures are established and communicated
• Lead ethical decision-making during breaking news, crisis coverage, and potentially controversial reporting
• Identify and address conflicts of interest and potential concerns promptly
• Develop and maintain relationships with SDSU and SDSURF and campus stakeholders as well as external organizations and communities

Administration & Compliance (35%)

• Develop annual goals and objectives and ensure implementation and accountability across the news team
• Develop and implement initiatives that increase trust and engagement with the community
• Develop, establish, and implement departmental practices and procedures in partnership with Management Council and People & Culture
• Lead and oversee efforts to reduce bias in reporting and editorial decision making
• Ensure accessibility standards are considered in efforts throughout the newsroom
• Oversee the development of emergency coverage plans and continuity planning
• Review and vet contracts with external vendors such as the Associated Press, legal services, etc.
• Prepare and analyze budgets and grants to comply with organizational protocols and identify operational efficiencies
• Provide guidance on internal staffing needs and salaries for annual budget process and throughout the year
• Monitor and share industry trends relating to staffing, engagement, and organizational culture and associated costs
• Establish productive working relationships with union stewards and leadership and collaborate with People & Culture on labor-management contract implementation
• Identify and develop innovative approaches to problem resolution that align with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and precedence
• Promote and encourage cross-platform collaboration as well as the use of the station’s facilities, tools, and equipment
• Monitor on-air and online content for legal compliance
• Ensure compliance with copyright and privacy laws, FCC regulations, public records laws, and applicable media laws
• Ensure newsroom managers and supervisors are in compliance with CSU, SDSU, SDSURF, state, and federal policies, statutes, and laws

• Actively promote KPBS in the wider community
• Attend and host events that occur on nights and weekends, as needed

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience managing newsroom staff and leaders, with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop leadership capacity
• Proven ability to clearly communicate organizational goals, editorial priorities, expectations, and decisions across all levels of the newsroom and organization.
• Strong communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex personnel, editorial, labor, and operational issues
• Advanced knowledge of journalism ethics, editorial standards, reporting practices, and applicable industry guidelines
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, with the ability to establish a unified editorial vision, set priorities, develop goals and drive accountability
• Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and organizational policies, including copyright, FCC regulations, and employment laws
• Knowledge of and familiarity with labor relations principles and and collective bargaining agreements, with the ability to administer union contracts and address labor and workplace matters
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets and overseeing financial resources
• Ability to identify and respond to evolving industry trends related to audience engagement, staffing, organizational culture, technology, and operations
• Ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace and develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to build trust and meaningful relationships with diverse communities that strengthen community engagement
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends to attend or host events and respond to significant news or organizational needs, as needed

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis

• Eight-years of related experience in a management or supervisory capacity

• Previous leadership in a unionized environment
• Demonstrated experience training and guiding news staff at various career and professional levels
• Leadership experience in a multiplatform newsroom, including some combination of print, broadcast, and online
• Demonstrated experience in telling stories that serve a diverse community, including those from historically marginalized and/or underrepresented groups
• Prior experience in a public media and/or nonprofit news setting

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.

The salary range for this position is $12,500 - $15,416.67 per month ($150,000 - $185,000 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.