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Summary:

WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

The Program Director is responsible for the strategic design, performance optimization, and operational integrity of WAMU's live broadcast schedule. Reporting to the Chief Content Officer, this role ensures that every hour of WAMU's broadcast reflects WAMU's Up Next content strategy, audience growth priorities, and brand standards.

Serving as the architect of WAMU's live listening experience, the Program Director shapes format flow, break structure, promotional cadence, and schedule cohesion across dayparts. This position ensures that WAMU's editorial vision and strategic priorities are consistently and clearly reflected in on-air and audio delivery.

Working closely with leadership across WAMU News, 1A, Broadcast Operations, Engineering, Membership, Marketing, and Digital, the Program Director translates content strategy into a cohesive, audience-centered broadcast product. The role operates through collaboration and influence, aligning multiple departments to strengthen WAMU's performance, sound, and audience impact.

Essential Functions:

1.) Live Broadcast Strategy and Format Optimization

• Oversee the strategic design and execution of WAMU's daily broadcast schedule to ensure clarity, cohesion, and audience impact.

• Ensure WAMU's Up Next content strategy is reflected in broadcast execution, including daypart rhythm, franchise visibility, promotional priorities, and overall audio presentation.

• Evaluate and optimize break structure, segment length, promotional cadence, and format flow across dayparts to strengthen listener retention and engagement.

• Partner with daypart leaders (WAMU Mornings, Midday/Weekends including The Politics Hour, and WAMU Afternoons) to align programming execution with strategic goals.

• Maintain the integrity and consistency of WAMU's full-day broadcast sound.

2.) Traffic Log Alignment and Operational Coordination

• Ensure the daily station log accurately reflects programming priorities and strategic decisions.

• Collaborate with Traffic, Operations, and Engineering teams to support accurate scheduling and reconciliation of programming elements, including promotional announcements, legal IDs, Emergency Alert System requirements, and special coverage.

• Maintain automation templates and support custom templates for pledge drives, special programming, and live news events.

• Ensure programming metadata (RDS / PAD) is accurate and aligned with broadcast content.

3.) Audience Performance Strategy and Institutional Insight

• Serve as WAMU's subject-matter expert on audience performance metrics, including Nielsen Audio ratings, streaming data, and related research tools.

• Lead the analysis and interpretation of audience data to identify trends, retention opportunities, growth potential, and daypart performance insights.

• Translate complex audience data into clear, actionable insights for leadership across WAMU News, 1A, Operations, Advancement, Marketing, and Digital teams.

• Establish shared understanding across departments of how WAMU measures success, including key performance indicators for broadcast and live listening.

• Partner with the Chief Content Officer to align programming strategy with measurable audience goals and long-term growth priorities.

• Present audience performance findings in internal and board-level settings as needed.

• Integrate terrestrial and digital listening data to provide a comprehensive, station-wide view of audience behavior.

4.) On-Air Promotions, Brand Voice, and Listener Experience

• Collaborate with Editorial and Advancement teams to develop and strategically place on-air promotions supporting coverage, franchise content, and membership campaigns.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of WAMU's Sound + Style standards to ensure consistent tone, pacing, and writing across dayparts.

• Partner with Membership to thoughtfully integrate fundraising messaging into the broadcast flow, balancing audience experience and revenue goals.

5.) Strategic Program Acquisition and Partnerships

• Manage relationships with NPR and external programming partners.

• Evaluate programming opportunities based on audience growth potential, strategic fit, and schedule cohesion.

• Advise the Chief Content Officer on special programming decisions and schedule evolution.

• Maintain awareness of national public media programming trends and performance benchmarks.

6.) Cross-Departmental Leadership and Influence

• Lead regular coordination with News, 1A, Operations, Engineering, Membership, Marketing, and Digital teams to ensure alignment in broadcast execution.

• Identify workflow improvements that strengthen broadcast execution and reduce friction between departments.

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Content Officer on live listening performance, broadcast evolution, and long-term audience growth.

7.) Regulatory Compliance and Broadcast Standards

• Participate in cross-departmental efforts to ensure WAMU's broadcast operations comply with FCC regulations and public radio standards.

• Collaborate with Operations and relevant leadership to ensure programming decisions align with regulatory requirements.

• Contribute to maintaining clear documentation and consistent application of broadcast policies and procedures.

Competencies:

• Prioritizing and Organizing.

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Collaborative Leadership.

• Leading and Inspiring People.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

• Developing Plans.

• Managing Talent.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.

• 35 hours per week.

• Evening or weekend work may be required during pledge drives, breaking news coverage, or special programming.

• Hybrid 1 work modality (3 - 4 days in office per week).

Salary Range:

Required Educationand Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.

• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

• Progressive experience in radio programming, broadcast operations, audience research, format strategy, or related fields.

• Strong knowledge of FCC rules and regulations required.

• Demonstrated experience interpreting audience data and applying insights to programming decisions.

• Experience working collaboratively across departments in a live news environment required.

Preferred Educationand Experience:

• 10+ years of relevant experience.

• Public radio experience strongly preferred.

• Experience aligning broadcast strategy with multiplatform content initiatives.

• Experience presenting audience insights to executive leadership or boards.

• Experience supporting listener-supported fundraising strategies.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and editing skills for broadcast and digital platforms.

• High attention to detail and operational rigor.

• Strong understanding of trends in public and commercial audio.

• Ability to lead in a fast-paced live news environment.

• Demonstrated commitment to WAMU's mission and American University's values.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package.Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

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Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, emailtheworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.