{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"90431af04503bf64d53464fc","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/90431af04503bf64d53464fc","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/90431af04503bf64d53464fc","title":"Program Director","description":"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.\nThe 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.\nServing 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.\nWorking 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.\nEssential Functions 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.\nEnsure WAMU’s Up Next content strategy is reflected in broadcast execution, including daypart rhythm, franchise visibility, promotional priorities, and overall audio presentation.\nEvaluate and optimize break structure, segment length, promotional cadence, and format flow across dayparts to strengthen listener retention and engagement.\nTraffic Log Alignment and Operational Coordination Ensure the daily station log accurately reflects programming priorities and strategic decisions.\nCollaborate 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.\nAudience 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.\nLead the analysis and interpretation of audience data to identify trends, retention opportunities, growth potential, and daypart performance insights.\nTranslate complex audience data into clear, actionable insights for leadership across WAMU News, 1A, Operations, Advancement, Marketing, and Digital teams.\nOn-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.\nContribute to the development and maintenance of WAMU’s Sound + Style standards to ensure consistent tone, pacing, and writing across dayparts.\nPartner with Membership to thoughtfully integrate fundraising messaging into the broadcast flow, balancing audience experience and revenue goals.\nStrategic Program Acquisition and Partnerships Manage relationships with NPR and external programming partners.\nEvaluate programming opportunities based on audience growth potential, strategic fit, and schedule cohesion.\nCross-Departmental Leadership and Influence Lead regular coordination with News, 1A, Operations, Engineering, Membership, Marketing, and Digital teams to ensure alignment in broadcast execution.\nIdentify workflow improvements that strengthen broadcast execution and reduce friction between departments.\nServe as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Content Officer on live listening performance, broadcast evolution, and long‑term audience growth.\nRegulatory Compliance and Broadcast Standards Participate in cross-departmental efforts to ensure WAMU’s broadcast operations comply with FCC regulations and public radio standards.\nCollaborate with Operations and relevant leadership to ensure programming decisions align with regulatory requirements.\nContribute to maintaining clear documentation and consistent application of broadcast policies and procedures.\nPosition Type / Expected Hours of Work Full‑time.\n35 hours per week.\nEvening or weekend work may be required during pledge drives, breaking news coverage, or special programming.\nHybrid 1 work modality (3 - 4 days in office per week).\nSalary Range: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 annually.\nRequired Education and Experience Bachelor's degree.\n8 - 10 years of relevant experience.\nProgressive experience in radio programming, broadcast operations, audience research, format strategy, or related fields.\nStrong knowledge of FCC rules and regulations required.\nDemonstrated experience interpreting audience data and applying insights to programming decisions.\nExperience working collaboratively across departments in a live news environment required.\nBenefits AU offers a competitive benefits package.\nLearn about American University's unique benefit options.\nOther Details Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.\nEmployees 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.\nPlease 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.\nAmerican University is an E-Verify employer.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Current Newspaper","rawCompany":"current newspaper","city":"Washington","state":"DC","isRemote":false,"isActive":true,"createdAt":"2026-06-20T04:55:34.058Z","occupations":[{"code":"27-2012.03","title":"Media Programming Directors","slug":"media-programming-directors"},{"code":"27-3011.00","title":"Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys","slug":"broadcast-announcers-and-radio-disc-jockeys"},{"code":"27-2012.05","title":"Media Technical Directors/Managers","slug":"media-technical-directors-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"516110","title":"Radio Broadcasting Stations","slug":"radio-broadcasting-stations"},{"code":"516120","title":"Television Broadcasting Stations","slug":"television-broadcasting-stations"},{"code":"516210","title":"Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers","slug":"media-streaming-distribution-services-social-networks-and-other-media-networks-and-content-providers"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Director","description":"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.\nThe 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.\nServing 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.\nWorking 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.\nEssential Functions 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.\nEnsure WAMU’s Up Next content strategy is reflected in broadcast execution, including daypart rhythm, franchise visibility, promotional priorities, and overall audio presentation.\nEvaluate and optimize break structure, segment length, promotional cadence, and format flow across dayparts to strengthen listener retention and engagement.\nTraffic Log Alignment and Operational Coordination Ensure the daily station log accurately reflects programming priorities and strategic decisions.\nCollaborate 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.\nAudience 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.\nLead the analysis and interpretation of audience data to identify trends, retention opportunities, growth potential, and daypart performance insights.\nTranslate complex audience data into clear, actionable insights for leadership across WAMU News, 1A, Operations, Advancement, Marketing, and Digital teams.\nOn-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.\nContribute to the development and maintenance of WAMU’s Sound + Style standards to ensure consistent tone, pacing, and writing across dayparts.\nPartner with Membership to thoughtfully integrate fundraising messaging into the broadcast flow, balancing audience experience and revenue goals.\nStrategic Program Acquisition and Partnerships Manage relationships with NPR and external programming partners.\nEvaluate programming opportunities based on audience growth potential, strategic fit, and schedule cohesion.\nCross-Departmental Leadership and Influence Lead regular coordination with News, 1A, Operations, Engineering, Membership, Marketing, and Digital teams to ensure alignment in broadcast execution.\nIdentify workflow improvements that strengthen broadcast execution and reduce friction between departments.\nServe as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Content Officer on live listening performance, broadcast evolution, and long‑term audience growth.\nRegulatory Compliance and Broadcast Standards Participate in cross-departmental efforts to ensure WAMU’s broadcast operations comply with FCC regulations and public radio standards.\nCollaborate with Operations and relevant leadership to ensure programming decisions align with regulatory requirements.\nContribute to maintaining clear documentation and consistent application of broadcast policies and procedures.\nPosition Type / Expected Hours of Work Full‑time.\n35 hours per week.\nEvening or weekend work may be required during pledge drives, breaking news coverage, or special programming.\nHybrid 1 work modality (3 - 4 days in office per week).\nSalary Range: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 annually.\nRequired Education and Experience Bachelor's degree.\n8 - 10 years of relevant experience.\nProgressive experience in radio programming, broadcast operations, audience research, format strategy, or related fields.\nStrong knowledge of FCC rules and regulations required.\nDemonstrated experience interpreting audience data and applying insights to programming decisions.\nExperience working collaboratively across departments in a live news environment required.\nBenefits AU offers a competitive benefits package.\nLearn about American University's unique benefit options.\nOther Details Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.\nEmployees 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.\nPlease 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.\nAmerican University is an E-Verify employer.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-06-20T04:55:34.058Z","dateModified":"2026-06-20T04:55:34.058Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Current Newspaper","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"90431af04503bf64d53464fc"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/90431af04503bf64d53464fc"}}