GENERAL MANAGER KGOU-FM The University of Oklahoma seeks a General Manager for its successful public radio service. This document describes the opportunity, requirements and desired skills and attributes sought in our next General Manager as well as how to submit an application for the position. KGOU Radio serves the extended Oklahoma City metropolitan area and the northwest quadrant of Oklahoma, covering more than one million Oklahomans – about one-third of the Oklahoma population – with four transmitters and four translators. KGOU Radio has a strong tradition of local, state and regional coverage that focuses on news and public affairs programming, and is the lead station of a consortium of public radio stations for the joint project, StateImpact Oklahoma. Last year, KGOU and StateImpact Oklahoma received over 50 awards for locally produced content. KGOU also has a robust digital presence at kgou.org, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. KGOU has 12 full time staff members, and is home to the two StateImpact Oklahoma reporters. KGOU also hires several part time OU student staff each semester and offers practicum and a radio news course through the OU College of Journalism. KGOU is located in Norman, part of the Oklahoma City metro area that was ranked #9 by Forbes as one of America’s most affordable cities, and #10 for where working-age Americans are moving. The metro is served by several universities, is a hub for professional and collegiate sports, including and NBA team, has a thriving arts community, and has leading research facilities in health, biosciences, and weather. Several staff members make the short commute against the rush hour flow of traffic to Norman from Oklahoma City. The metro has benefitted from an urban renaissance 20 years in the making, with walking, running and cycling trails along the Oklahoma River, world class museums and 17 acres of green space downtown. The state has four distinct seasons, and 35 state parks filled with lakes, mountains, forests and sand dunes. KGOU is operated by the College of Continuing Education (OU Outreach) at the University of Oklahoma. OU Outreach is a world-renowned continuing education and liberal studies program designed for working adults, military personnel and others who want to advance their education with credit courses, non-credit activities, youth programs, and more. OU Outreach extends the educational resources of the University of Oklahoma on campus, online, and at locations around the world. The University of Oklahoma is a public research university in Norman, Oklahoma — with a student population just over 30,000. With three campuses in Oklahoma – main campus in Norman, the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and a campus in Tulsa -- OU also offers study abroad opportunities at several locations overseas. From aerospace studies to visual communication, the University of Oklahoma has more than 150 majors to choose from, including the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. KGOU also hires several part time OU student staff each semester and offers practicum and a radio news course through the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The University of Oklahoma offers excellent benefits and a range of insurance options. The University contributes to core benefits of medical, dental, life and accidental death and dismemberment. There are other insurance options at very reasonable costs for spouse and families, plus enhanced options in dental and vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and short and long-term disability insurance. Insurance becomes effective on the first day of the month following the date of hire. Other benefits include retirement plans and optional savings plans, paid leave and paid holidays, and tuition assistance. Together the OU administration and KGOU staff have created the profile of the ideal next leader of KGOU. We will interview and select from candidates that most closely demonstrate the following: Industry Knowledge (radio, internet, etc.): Knowledge of media and trends in technology and consumption of media, including: A high level of understanding of the dynamics, issues and trends in public radio (including the need to continue to develop KGOU into an essential local institution); Have experience dealing with programming and content sharing providers (NPR, PRI, etc.); An understanding of/experience with managing a journalistic organization, including issues such as operating within an institutional setting (it will be extremely helpful if the GM is able to and qualified to teach at the University level and has a Masters Degree); Able to manage a complex physical plant, including managing the strategic and financial challenge of maintaining KGOU’s studio, transmitter and digital technological effectiveness; Is dedicated to the heritage of public radio, but is also willing to look ahead. If coming from outside public radio, deep commitment to and knowledge of public radio (listener, supporter); and Is technologically competent, comfortable with/aware of digital and social media, able to keep us abreast and current with all different platforms. Integrity: Our most important asset is the trust our listeners and the community have in our programming and in KGOU as an institution. The KGOU General Manager will: Have clear, high standards for (him or her) self and others; Be both trustworthy and know when and how to be trusting; Be an honest, sincere, courageous, ethical person of substance, with a strong awareness and sense of self; and Demonstrate a record of being able to identify, confront, analyze and resolve ethically ambiguous issues and potential or real conflicts of interest, both for (her or him) self and others in the organization. Public Presence: Our expectation is the next KGOU General Manager will be an effective and enthusiastic “face of KGOU”, representing us to the University and throughout the community. The leader we seek will: Significantly grow KGOU’s presence in the University and throughout the region, have personal qualities the University and community can connect with, and over a short period of time become an active participant and recognized leader in the University and our region; Not be afraid to be visible; Have a high level of energy for the travel involved, as well as authentic enthusiasm for our region in its geographic and demographic diversity, from Norman and Oklahoma City to the farthest reaches of our service area; Be comfortable and effective with wide range of people, including at high levels (and being seen as a peer) of civic leadership in the region; Demonstrate a record of community engagement and collaboration, and of developing partnerships with individuals and organizations. Leadership: A strongly mission driven and externally focused people person, with an engaging personality who will help KGOU grow its service and significance to the people of our region, and: Is energetic and adaptable; Is detail oriented and organized – able to ensure our continued compliance with the many areas of KGOU including required PCI, CPB, OU and FCC regulations; Has a warm, powerful presence; Provides direction and accountability for organizational results. Problem solving and decision making: Expert decision-maker, who: Has the ability to prioritize and determine significance of a particular issue, understands who to include in the problem solving process, and knows what and how much information is needed; Is able to effectively analyze and use data in the decision-making process, and will make decisions in a timely matter; Is good at follow-through - clearly communicates decisions, designs and administers effective execution, with appropriate pre-determined success measures and time-posts; and Has level of personal strength to stick by decisions and/or know when a change of direction is needed. Teamwork: Highly effective team member and team leader, who can work effectively within the greater University of Oklahoma environment as well as build on the current friendly, open, committed culture of KGOU and: Adjusts his or her style as needed, collaborating, enrolling, delegating and directing as required by the situation; Has a proven ability to effectively attract, develop and get the most out of staff; Searches for consensus rather than issuing edicts, elicits input widely, then able to make and communicate decisions based on the input; Is engaged, but not a micromanager. Hires the right people and then trusts them to do their work; Effective coach/mentor, with a strong commitment to developing our staff. Strategic Focus: Proactive, data-driven individual with powerful understanding of and use of strategy in organizational life, who: Is knowledgeable of the dynamics affecting current and future environment of KGOU and effective at maximizing the organization in response to these dynamics; Is knowledgeable of population, technology and media consumption trends in our service area and beyond; Helps identify, use and share critical metrics needed to measure and improve organizational effectiveness and accountability; Has understanding and makes use of networking with and benchmarking of other organizations to increase KGOU effectiveness; Is able to continuously develop, execute and evaluate strategic plans, in concert with other stakeholders, and to champion strategic perspectives. Communication: Highly developed public and private interpersonal and communication skills, with an open, engaging style, including: Comfort with and