VP, Programming & Development

Position Title:

VP, Programming & Development (GA)

Department:

General Audience Programming

Corporate Area:

General Audience Programming

Status:

Regular, Full time Exempt

Manager Title:

Chief Programming Executive & GM, General Audience Programming

Position Overview:

The VP, Programming & Development will serve as a key contributor in the development and execution of PBS’s General Audience Programming strategy in alignment with PBS objectives, while focusing on increasing viewership and engagement across platforms. This role will support the development and implementation of the overall GA content strategy, including managing interdepartmental and system-wide multi-platform initiatives and strategies.

The VP will contribute to the strategic vision and direction of PBS by overseeing the development and execution of programming priorities with particular emphasis on Science, Natural History and History genres, focusing on PBS’ overall multiplatform objectives. Interpreting audience research insights and applying them to the editorial pipeline direction is critical to the success of this role. Working in collaboration with producers and PBS member stations, the VP will take a proactive approach to project development and commissioning from idea generation to distribution. The position will also be responsible for collaborating with other PBS departments and teams to develop and execute new strategies to engage audiences, including creating new models of production, engagement, and impact.

The VP will have creative oversight of a variety of development and production projects and lead the efforts of multiple outside producers and producing entities simultaneously. They will also build, strengthen and manage significant multiplatform co-production and engagement relationships with other broadcasters and distribution partners, both in the United States and in the international market.

The VP will also work closely with other senior members of the Programming team to establish and evolve efficient and productive systems as well as work with the PBS Foundation and senior GA team members to strategize and prepare grant proposals and other sources of funding.

The VP will be held accountable for the performance of the projects being recommended for further development and execution.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

Strategy and Execution:

• Serve on the General Audience Programming leadership team working with the Chief Programming Executive and GM, helping to strategize content investments, scheduling strategies and business relationships.
• Advance the editorial vision and direction in partnership with the GA editorial leads and other PBS departments; ensure a well-planned content pipeline of original commissions, co-productions and acquisitions to sustain an effective, cost-effective program portfolio for PBS distribution.
• Serve as a public media and industry ambassador to program suppliers, public media stations, other distribution outlets, at conferences, and to the public.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with public media leaders nationwide.
• Act as a liaison between Programming and other departments (e.g. PBS Foundation Communications, Marketing, Digital, Station Services) on content initiatives and station-related matters.
• Lead the collaboration between PBS member stations and independent producers to analyze current programming, refreshing programming to meet audience needs as appropriate. Explore the possibilities for each project with appropriate constituents.
• Work closely with PBS member stations and independent producers on multiple series and specials simultaneously and lead PBS departments to ensure timely, effective and on-budget development, production and delivery of original programming with a multiplatform presence.
• Review and convey timely comments to program producers on all stages of development and production.
• Adhere to, and accountable for all aspects of PBS’s editorial, budgetary and production standards, as well as contractual and deliverable requirements for PBS programming.
• Help shepherd the growth and development of a team of editorial leads.
  
  
  

Leadership:

• Regularly facilitates critical discussions about programs with executive producers, PBS producing partners and the member stations.
• Leads vision planning to achieve audience growth and meet service goals.
• Embraces inclusion in the composition of the PBS staff and producing partners across all platforms.
• Manages daily work, career growth, training and development of staff.
• Proposes and achieves measurable internal success criteria.
• Has a track record of meeting audience goals and key business objectives.
• Fosters a creative and productive work environment. Has a proven ability to develop and maintain a positive, diverse, creative, high-performance culture. Attract and retain creative talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate perspectives within the team, and manage performance; be widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
  
  
  

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• 15 years of creative affairs and productions experience developing, producing or executive producing in a major media environment, with strong public media background preferred.
• A proven track record of developing and executing innovative scripted and non-scripted content.
• Proficiency in TV production economics and management.
• Experience and understanding of international television markets and financing opportunities.
• Proven experience in assembling and managing co-productions, including experience in film financing and fund-raising.
• A demonstrated track record in collaborative creative execution and audience performance success and the ability to manage the creative process from concept to air.
• Experience managing a slate of multiple television projects simultaneously.
• Proven track record of successfully building and maintaining effective relationships with individuals in the media industry, including on-air talent, producers, writers and directors.
• Experience managing outside producers, building credibility and strong working relationships with other internal executives and generating commitment to goals.
• Has instincts to know when to escalate issues to the Chief Programming Executive versus managing directly.
• Brings both an Executive Producer and Development Executive mentality to the role in a manner that inspires and empowers producing partners and internal staff and team members
• Leads with a strong attention to detail.
• Bachelor's degree in film/television, media or related field
• Graduate degree preferred
  
  
  

Skills and Abilities required:

• A demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit in developing and executing ideas.
• Outstanding editorial judgment and creative abilities, strong verbal and written communications skills, and demonstrated leadership skills.
• Management skills with the ability to develop and manage talent.
• Ability to work closely with related internal PBS departments, including the PBS Foundation, Promotions, Marketing and Digital.
• Leadership ability across functions.
• Creativity, flexibility, and ability to function in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.
• An independent thinker, idea-generator, and team player.
• A respect and passion for public television and what it represents to its viewers.
  
  
  

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with the EEOC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.