Chief Operating Officer
Overview:
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, New York Public Radio (NYPR) produces innovative public radio programs, podcasts, and live events that touch a passionate community of people monthly on air, online, and in person. From its state-of-the-art studios in New York City, NYPR is reshaping radio for a new generation of listeners with groundbreaking, award-winning programs including "Radiolab," "The Brian Lehrer Show," "All of It with Alison Stewart," "On the Media," "Notes from America with Kai Wright," and "Carnegie Hall Live," among many others.
NYPR is home to WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, and New Jersey Public Radio.
NYPR’s Mission:
- Is to make the mind more curious, the heart more open and the spirit more joyful through excellent audio programming that is deeply rooted in New York.
NYPR’s Values:
- Listen deeply and embrace all voices.
- Push the boundaries of what is possible.
- Explain the why.
- Embrace equity.
- Build trust through positive collaboration.
- Be accountable, expect excellence, and celebrate.
NYPR’s annual operating budget is about $75,000,000, and the organization collectively employs about 300 talented professionals.
The Role
The Chief Operating Officer of New York Public Radio will play a critical role in leading and managing the administrative, financial and business-operations aspects of the organization. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the COO will be responsible for ensuring the efficient execution of the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
Objectives of this role
- Manage administrative and financial operations of the organization, complementing the CEO’s focus on setting strategy and cultivating external relationships.
- Collaborate with the CEO in setting organizational priorities and, in partnership with senior leaders from all divisions, drive coordination and execution of those priorities.
- Translate strategy into actionable steps for implementing organization-wide goal setting, performance management, workforce planning, and annual operating budget.
- Oversee Finance, Sponsorship, IT, Human Resources and DEI, Legal, and Office Services departments, comprising of about 70 staff.
- Play a leading role in convening NYPR’s Senior Leadership Team and ensuring ongoing alignment and monitoring of priorities, goals and performance.
- Oversee employee productivity, building NYPR’s desired culture and values that ensure team members can thrive and grow while driving organizational priorities.
- Ensure compliance with national and local business regulations and take appropriate action when necessary.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership:
- Oversee and execute operational requirements for NYPR, complementing the CEO’s setting of a strategic vision and stewardship of external relationships.
- Provide strategic guidance toward long-term goals and leadership of day-to-day operations of Finance, Sponsorship, Human Resources, IT, Office Services, and other administrative functions.
- Together with other members of NYPR’s Senior Leadership Team, implement practices for tracking the pacing of audience, revenue and budgetary goals and leading processes to continually evaluate the health of the organization and as needed, adapt new courses.
- Identify and implement operational efficiencies that can reduce costs and enhance productivity across the organization.
Financial Management:
- Develop and manage annual budgets with the goal of financial stability and sustainability.
- Monitor financial performance and report to the CEO and Board of Trustees on strategic financial decisions.
Strategic Planning:
- Collaborate with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees to implement and operationalize the organization’s strategic plan.
- Drive operational efficiencies and champion initiatives for collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation within the organization.
Culture, Communications and Talent:
- Strengthen organization-wide decision-making processes and ensure transparency in communicating these processes and the need of the organization to evolve in order to meet the challenges of a dynamic media market.
- Collaborate with HR and DEI to develop an organizational culture that aligns with the mission, values, and strategic goals of the institution.
- Drive initiatives that reinforce the organization’s values and promote a high-performance culture.
- Promote open communication channels across all levels of the organization.
Risk Management and Compliance:
- Implement policies, procedures, and controls to mitigate organizational risks.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Team Management and Development:
- Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation across the business operations teams.
- Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to staff.
Candidate Profile
NYPR is seeking an exceptional leader and manager of unquestioned operational excellence, intellectual breadth, and practical experience. The ideal candidate will bring a unique mix of business and management expertise and the ability to apply the best practices of an efficient, market-savvy business within the context of a non-profit, mission-driven institution dedicated to public service. In addition, they will bring:
- Proven experience (15+ years) in progressive management roles within complex, medium-to-large organizations. Experience as a general manager, COO, executive director, division manager within this timeframe is ideal.
- Experience effectively leading teams and driving operational excellence across functions.
- Demonstrated experience in financial management, budgeting, and strategic planning.
- Experience in the media industry is a plus but not required.
- Advanced degree in business administration, non-profit management, or a related field is preferred.
In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:
Actioning Vision and Setting Strategy
- A strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action.
- A problem-solver with the finesse, patience and drive to navigate complex challenges.
- An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the field.
- The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling; to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.
Executing for Results
- An inspiring leader who works collaboratively and models a healthy sense of urgency and pragmatism for decision making.
- The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results.
- The capacity to establish metrics by which to manage the operations of the organization while working closely with the CEO to deliver on organizational vision and strategy.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
- A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization.
Leading Teams
- A culture shaper who prioritizes talent development and embedding of NYPR’s values.
- The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance.
- The ability to persevere in the face of challenges and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.
- A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement.
Relationships and Influence
- A passionate advocate for NYPR’s mission of public service.
- Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
- An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.
- Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.
- Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose of NYPR as a whole.
Additional Information
The salary range for this position is $350,000-$400,000 annually. The exact salary offered within this range is determined by skills, experience and organizational pay equity. NYPR offers excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, and sick time as well as inclusive paid family leave.
The role is based in New York City, and the COO is expected to work onsite at NYPR’s SoHo headquarters at least 3 days per week.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
New York Public Radio is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We continuously strive to place our employees at the center of our thinking and elevate inclusive practices to develop and support a more engaged and productive workforce. Our journalism and operations in the service of that journalism benefit from a broad range of perspectives, from all backgrounds, at all levels of the organization. Diversity is essential to honest, authentic, accurate storytelling and reportage; creating an institution in which all voices are encouraged, valued, and heard.
Equal Opportunity
New York Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions without regard to mental or physical disability, race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any protected federal, state or local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.
