Director of Content

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Director of Content

The insights provided are generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Please independently verify any critical information before relying on it.

Description

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Job Description

Join the award-winning Arizona PBS team as our next Director of Content and help shape how we tell stories that inform, engage and inspire audiences across Arizona. Working closely with the Senior Director of Content, the Director of Content translates Arizona PBS’s content strategy into impactful storytelling across broadcast, digital and social platforms. As a key leader on the content team, you will guide experienced producers and content creators, champion innovative approaches to storytelling, and ensure our programming reflects the interests, needs and the communities we serve. This is a leadership role, you will deliver through your team, setting the standard for storytelling while developing the producers who create it.

This role combines strategic thinking with day-to-day leadership. You will oversee content planning, guide production and distribution workflows, identify emerging opportunities, and use audience insights to strengthen engagement and expand our reach. From developing new storytelling formats to optimizing how content reaches audiences on different platforms, you will help Arizona PBS evolve how we serve our community while upholding the editorial integrity and public service mission that define public media.

The ideal candidate is an editorially strong, collaborative leader who knows how to turn big-picture priorities into effective execution, empower creative teams, and balance innovation with sound judgment, resources and results.

Essential Duties

Content Strategy, Editorial Leadership and Audience Engagement

• Translate Arizona PBS’s content strategy into actionable plans for local storytelling across broadcast, digital and social platforms.
• Lead the day-to-day planning, development, production and distribution of short-form and long-form content, ensuring projects align with organizational priorities and audience needs.
• Manage the content calendar, balancing immediate programming needs with long-term editorial priorities, special initiatives and emerging opportunities.
• Oversee the content greenlight process, evaluating ideas for editorial merit, audience relevance, strategic alignment, feasibility and impact.
• Guide producers in developing compelling, distinctive stories and experimenting with new formats, platforms and approaches to storytelling.
• Develop strategies to attract new audiences, deepen engagement with existing audiences and extend the reach and impact of Arizona PBS content.
• Analyze audience data, platform performance and industry trends to inform editorial decisions, refine distribution strategies and identify opportunities for growth.
• Champion inclusive, storytelling that reflects the experiences, perspectives and needs of communities throughout Arizona.
• Serve as a resource for editorial standards and practices, ensuring content meets Arizona PBS’s expectations for accuracy, fairness, independence and integrity.
• Monitor changes in public media, journalism, digital platforms and audience behavior, recommending strategic adjustments as needed
  
  

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Directly supervise, mentor and develop content producers and the Producer/Social Media Manager, providing clear direction, constructive feedback and opportunities for professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, creative and accountable environment that empowers team members to take thoughtful risks, solve problems and deliver high-quality work.
• Establish priorities, delegate effectively and manage team capacity to balance competing projects, deadlines and organizational needs.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Content and leaders across production, news and public affairs, digital, marketing, development and other departments to align priorities and maximize content impact.
• Represent the content team in cross-departmental meetings, planning sessions and organizational initiatives.
• Explore and test new digital experiences, distribution approaches and storytelling opportunities in collaboration with colleagues across Arizona PBS.
  
  

Production and Operational Management

• Lead day-to-day production operations for local and national projects, coordinating producing, editing and delivery workflows to keep projects on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Guide platform-specific social storytelling for Arizona PBS programs and series, working within the station’s overall social media and brand strategy.
• Supervise social media content planning and execution to ensure platform-specific storytelling supports editorial priorities and audience engagement goals.
• Develop and monitor production budgets for review and approval by the Senior Director of Content.
• Coordinate freelance and contract hiring, vendor relationships and production resources as needed.
• Maintain effective project management systems, production schedules and communication practices to support efficient workflows and timely delivery.
• Ensure timely response to viewer inquiries and concerns related to local content, exercising sound judgment and professionalism.
• Ensure content performance data is available to support Development’s funding work.
• Produce content on an as-needed basis, but this is not the primary function of this role.
  
  

Core Competencies and Leadership Expectations

Role

Success in this role requires both strong performance and a commitment to the collaborative, inclusive culture of Arizona PBS. The Director of Content is expected to:

• Lead with integrity: Model sound judgment, accountability and the highest standards of professional and editorial conduct. Think strategically: Connect day-to-day decisions to organizational goals and identify opportunities to advance Arizona PBS’s mission.
• Develop people: Coach, motivate and empower staff while fostering professional growth, creativity and accountability.
• Communicate effectively: Share priorities clearly, provide constructive feedback and proactively engage colleagues across the organization.
• Collaborate and build relationships: Develop productive working relationships, encourage perspectives and contribute to a cohesive, high-performing team.
• Adapt and innovate: Approach challenges with curiosity, a solutions-oriented mindset and a willingness to test new ideas and learn from results.
• Manage priorities: Demonstrate strong time management, organization and decision-making while balancing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Champion inclusion: Model inclusive behaviors and support content and workplace practices that reflect the communities Arizona PBS serves.
  
  

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience
• OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring and developing creative or editorial staff.
• Strong understanding of public media standards, editorial independence and underwriting guidelines, including restrictions on pay-for-play arrangements.
• Experience in public media or broadcasting, including familiarity with PBS distribution and content delivery partners such as PBS, PBS Digital Studios (PBSd), NETA and APT, as applicable.
• Experience managing local, statewide, multi-organization or collaborative content initiatives.
• Knowledge of social media strategy, platform-specific storytelling and editorial standards for news and public affairs content.
• Experience developing or overseeing content for both traditional broadcast and digital-first formats, including vertical video.
• Proven project management and budgeting skills, including production scheduling, expense tracking, invoice approval and vendor coordination.
• Experience using audience analytics and performance metrics to inform content strategy and distribution decisions.
• Experience contributing content data, impact reporting or other materials for grant applications and funding proposals.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Monday.com or comparable project management platforms, and professional video editing software such as Final Cut Pro.