KPBS Director of News

Overview

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.

 

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

Responsibilities

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