Program Director

University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

Job Description

Reporting to the General Manager of KUNR/KNCJ Public Radio, the Program Director provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for the broadcast programming and on-air operations of KUNR Public Radio, KNCJ Nevada's Classical and Jazz, and KNCC Elko. This position plays a central role in shaping the station's sound, programming strategy, audience experience, and overall broadcast quality while ensuring that programming meets professional public media standards and FCC requirements. The Program Director leads, coaches, and develops KUNR's full-time and part-time on-air talent and works closely with newsroom and station leadership to strengthen local programming and storytelling across platforms. The position oversees programming systems, broadcast automation, program schedules, network content, and technical audio quality to ensure reliable and seamless service to listeners. The Program Director also serves as an on-air host and participates in fundraising, community events, and other activities that advance KUNR's mission and connection with its audience. This position is well suited for a public media professional who combines strong editorial and programming judgment with leadership, technical aptitude, journalistic integrity, creativity, and a passion for developing people and serving audiences.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Shape KUNR's sound and programming strategy while balancing local storytelling with high-quality national public media content.
• Develop and mentor on-air talent, helping broadcasters grow professionally and strengthening the overall quality of the station.
• Champion local programming and help identify opportunities for new programs, podcasts, partnerships, and content distribution.
• Work across departments with newsroom, engineering, development, and station leadership to advance KUNR's mission.
• Engage with the community through events, partnerships, interviews, and public media initiatives.
• Help guide the station's future, using audience information, emerging technologies, and evolving public media practices to improve the listener experience.
• Be part of a university environment that connects public media, journalism, education, and service to the Northern Nevada community.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and four years of professional work experience; OR a Master's Degree and two years of professional work experience

Related experience: On-air broadcasting, news collection, reporting, radio programming, or a closely related media field.

Schedule

• Regular schedule will generally be Monday through Friday and will be determined in part by assigned on-air programming. Current anticipated schedules may include approximately 6:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m.7:00 p.m.
• The position requires occasional evening and weekend work for station events, special programming, emergency news coverage, and other operational needs.

Compensation Grade

Administrative Faculty C

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty by Grade. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance
• Generous annual and sick leave and life insurance Faculty Benefits
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center
• Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee's spouse or domestic partner. Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples' professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program