Executive Director, NPR Music

Want to lead one of the world's leading music teams, and build a global franchise that drives music discovery and massive engagement in an emerging audience segment? Come join us at NPR Music, where our work reaches millions of music fans every week. Along with our marquee Tiny Desk franchise, NPR Music delivers our national and international audiences unmatched news, video, podcasts and music recommendations on the radio, the web, YouTube, social networks and streaming services. NPR Music and our partner public radio stations are devoted to covering a dynamic breadth of genres that together represent the American and global music landscape and provide a window into our culture.

The Executive Director of NPR Music will report to NPR's Chief Content Officer and lead a team charged with positioning NPR Music/Tiny Desk and public media as an essential force in music. They will be responsible for developing and implementing the overall strategy for NPR Music, including growing and innovating the Tiny Desk franchise, in complementary alignment with NPR's overall audience and content strategy, mission, brand position, and stakeholder goals. We are looking for someone with a deep understanding and network in the music industry, and a proven track record of innovation, strategy, and operational excellence in media, to identify new opportunities and drive the success of NPR Music/Tiny Desk for the future ahead.

This role will be responsible for envisioning the next phase of the Tiny Desk concert series, associated programming, and external activities. This includes increasing audience, engagement, and revenue and identifying opportunities for diversification and further franchise development. Throughout, they must steward the essential values, promise, and musician and audience experience of a globally-beloved title and offering: engagement with the work of musicians across genres and approachable storytelling about the meaning and value of music.

This is a role that requires creative strategic vision, a growth mindset, willingness to experiment, and a proven track record of execution and innovation. The ideal candidate should have deep managerial and operational experience, excellent communication, collaboration, and partnership skills, and a willingness to experiment.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.

• Develop and execute a strategic vision that builds on the success of NPR Music/Tiny Desk, aligned with NPR's mission, brand position, and programming portfolio




• Drive growth in audience, engagement, and revenue opportunities for NPR Music/Tiny Desk, through original programming, digital products, collaborations, partnerships, and events, working with relevant internal partners including marketing and communications
• Provide leadership on new programming decisions and oversee all of NPR Music's properties across radio, web, podcasting, video and events, including major brand-defining content packages
• Identify and increase strategic revenue for NPR Music/Tiny Desk, working as appropriate with NPRs business development, sponsorship, and philanthropic support divisions
• Identify and secure tentpole partnerships in discovery, distribution, and audience growth
• Foster innovation and experimentation in all aspects of the business




• Drive the development of a NPR Member network-wide integrated music strategy




• Work with NPR Member music and mixed format public media stations around the country to identify local expertise, programming, partnerships, events, and revenue opportunities
• Integrate Member network into NPR Music strategy, including diversified offerings, seamless audience experiences, unlimited music discovery, and national showcases for local talent
• Participate in and, where appropriate, lead public radio-wide conversations about music issues in public media, including music rights, digital strategy and more




• Partner with product teams to ensure high quality experiences for NPR Music audiences on O&O platforms
• Lead and inspire a high-functioning team of managers, developing next-generation leaders
• Develop and manage NPR Music expenses and budget, aligning with NPRs strategic plan and revenue goals
• Publicly represent NPR, NPR Music and Tiny Desk as a leader in music discovery and audience acquisition

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

• Passion for and extensive knowledge of multiple, global genres with an ear for new talent and new sounds
• 15 years of experience in music industry or media
• A-list contacts of executives in music, media, tech and high level brands
• Track record of launching or expanding IP-driven franchises
• Experience in business operations: budgeting, performance metrics, and team structures
• Strong communications and negotiation skills
• Significant demonstrable experience managing large cross-functional teams
• Ability to work both independently and well with others
• Ability to handle ambiguity, complexity, and urgency under changing priorities/conditions
• Entrepreneurial drive for excellence, execution, delivery, and analytics

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience (MBA a plus)

• On-site: This is an on-site role based in Washington, DC, but will consider candidates in NY or LA, willing to travel as necessary.

• This is a full time, exempt position.

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $195,000 - $225,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR's benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

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