SVP, Innovation and System Strategies
The Organization:
A private, non-profit corporation created by Congress in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting and the largest single source of funding for public radio, television, and related online and mobile services.
The purpose of public media is to provide programs and services that inform, educate, enlighten, and enrich the public, while helping to inform the civil discourse essential to American society. It is CPB's particular responsibility to encourage the development of content that involves creative risk and that addresses the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, especially children and minorities. CPB acts as a guardian of the mission and purposes for which public broadcasting was established.
By distributing grants to more than 1,500 locally-owned public radio and television stations, CPB supports the development of content and services that are educational, innovative, locally relevant, and reflective of America's common values and cultural diversity. Under a framework referred to as the "three Ds" - Digital, Diversity, and Dialogue - the grants support innovation on digital platforms; content that is for, by, and about the diverse communities we seek to serve; and content and services that foster dialogue and engagement among members of the audience and the broader community.
The three main goals of the organization are (1) promoting an educated and informed civil society by supporting high-quality engaging content and services delivered across multiple platforms; (2) strengthening the quality of public media's content and services, while deepening the engagement with audiences and users; and (3) strengthening the quality of public media's content and services by supporting public media entities that are vital to and reflective of the people they serve.
CPB by the numbers:
- 407 grantees, representing 1,178 public radio stations
- 158 grantees, representing 356 public TV stations
- 249 of the total 565 radio and TV grantees are considered rural
- 99% of Americans have access to public media
- More than 70% of CPB's federal funding goes directly to local public media stations
- Less than 5% of funding is spent on CPB operations
General Description:
The SVP for Innovation and System Strategies plays a vital role in leading CPB's efforts to ensure public media is addressing its mission in a rapidly evolving media and technology landscape. The SVP assesses the media and technology landscape, in addition to the health and sustainability of public television and radio stations and directs CPB investments to ensure public media's content and services are universally accessible by the American people. The SVP leads efforts to strengthen station's operations and their ability to evolve and serve their local communities in a dynamic, multimedia environment. The SVP works closely with CPB's executive leadership to achieve CPB's corporate Goals and Objectives, and contributes to the development and implementation of CPB's annual business plan. The SVP for Innovation & System Strategies is a thought leader who can cultivate relationships for the benefit of public media and provide strategic vision and advice to national and local public media leadership, while successfully managing the department and its personnel.
Specific Duties:
- Works closely with CPB's executive leadership to achieve CPB's corporate Goals and Objectives; coordinates the development and implementation of CPB's strategy for public media; and helps develop and implement CPB's annual business plan.
- Facilitates change in the public media system, working with CPB leadership, and the leaders of the national organizations, and public media stations to ensure initiatives are developed with a sound understanding of the system, its audiences and content producers.
- Works with public media stations to strengthen their relevance and sustainability. Supports innovation and the adoption and use of technologies, digital infrastructure and platforms to extend audience reach and engagement, enhancing the content, services and capability of the public media stations to serve their local communities.
- Works with CPB's executive leadership to develop priorities and devise plans for public media system development and infrastructure.
- Expands CPB's effectiveness and impact with key government, industry, and public media system stakeholders. Maintains close working relationships with policymakers, with the leadership of PBS, NPR, and APTS as well as stations and related organizations. Represents CPB at industry meetings, providing expertise on issues of importance to public media.
- Works with the SVP, Radio, Journalism and CSG Services to inform the policy development and effective administration of the Community Service Grant programs to achieve system and station objectives.
- Develops initiatives, in collaboration with the SVP, Radio, Journalism and CSG Services, SVP Education, SVP, Television Content, and SVP, Government Relations, to improve public media stations' operational efficiency and fiscal stability, and increase the capacity of local stations to create content and services that will advance their mission.
- Keeps pace with new and emerging technologies and media industry trends and develops forward-thinking policies and initiatives that produce tangible outcomes.
- Supports and facilitates an effective working relationship between CPB's Board and management.
- Manages department operations so as to comply with budget, procurement, and other CPB policies, standards and procedures.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Ten years of experience in a senior leadership role with an in-depth understanding of technology, media distribution and content, and telecommunications policy issues.
- Leadership experience that demonstrates a track record of successful innovation and management.
- Significant experience in strategic planning, budgeting, measuring, and managing multiple priorities.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills and the ability to make effective presentations.
- Excellent negotiation skills and experience negotiating agreements.
- Strong personnel management skills that include the ability to attract, hire, train, motivate, and retain talent. The ability to lead others and achieve results in a team-oriented environment, while fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture.
- A high level of professional executive presence and decisiveness, when interacting with key leadership, decision-makers, and stakeholders.
- Proven ability to establish credibility and demonstrate good judgment and critical thinking at both the strategic and functional levels.
- Some travel required, as appropriate.
Desired Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
- Familiarity with public media's mission and knowledge of its services and policy issues.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has a commitment to the principle of diversity. In that spirit, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, or status with regard to public assistance.