Director of Strategy, University Daily Kansan - 22375BR
Director of Strategy, University Daily Kansan
Director of Strategy, University Daily Kansan
Department:
Journalism
Location/Division:
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
Work Location Assignment:
On-Site
Reg/Temp:
Regular
Employee Class:
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Position Overview
The KU School of Journalism and Mass Communications seeks a Director of Strategy for the University Daily Kansan, the independent student news outlet. The University Daily Kansan (UDK) is a student-operated media organization that has served the University of Kansas student body for more than 100 years. The successful candidate is an experienced professional in developing media content with an understanding of meeting financial challenges of the evolving media landscape.
The Director of Strategy (DS) serves as an adviser for students, guiding them in the practice and business of journalism. The DS demonstrates the balance between empowering students and providing interdisciplinary, experiential learning as well as demonstrating a focus on culturally responsive approaches supporting diversity and equity perspectives. The successful candidate will be an excellent teacher and coach and have relevant experience working in a digital-first newsroom or media outlet, experience with major social media platforms, and a thorough understanding of the business side of journalism.
The Director of Strategy also teaches courses in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Letter of application must address philosophy of working with students in media, both in the classroom and in the newsroom.
UDK Mission Statement: The mission of The University Daily Kansan is to serve as a primary, credible
news source for a diverse University community.
The Director of Strategy (DS) serves as an adviser for students, guiding them in the practice and business of journalism. The DS demonstrates the balance between empowering students and providing interdisciplinary, experiential learning as well as demonstrating a focus on culturally responsive approaches supporting diversity and equity perspectives. The successful candidate will be an excellent teacher and coach and have relevant experience working in a digital-first newsroom or media outlet, experience with major social media platforms, and a thorough understanding of the business side of journalism.
The Director of Strategy also teaches courses in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Letter of application must address philosophy of working with students in media, both in the classroom and in the newsroom.
UDK Mission Statement: The mission of The University Daily Kansan is to serve as a primary, credible
news source for a diverse University community.
- The Kansan staff practices high ethical standards, good news judgment, objectivity and creativity.
- The Kansan staff members are student journalists working in a professional learning environment. We respect each individual’s role and recognize that the newspaper is a product of the entire staff.
- The Kansan maintains an open-door policy and encourages reader feedback.
Job Description
40% - Operation and Fiscal Management
5% - Other duties as determined by the UDK board
- Create a detailed three-year plan for the UDK Board’s approval
- Prepare and manage the annual budget for board approval.
- Oversee production and distribution of the UDK.
- Develop strategies for online, social media and print environments.
- Conduct annual audience analysis studies using analytics and other metrics.
- Develop strategies to increase brand awareness and improve brand identity.
- Oversee the daily operational management of the UDK, including but not limited to recruiting, training, evaluating job performance, etc.
- Track revenue performance and trends.
- Advise sales and marketing staff on daily sales, marketing campaigns and social media strategies.
- Negotiate, review and submit all contracts to the Board for approval and Dean’s signature.
- Provide for the Board’s advice, consent, and approval of any policies, plans or new business ventures necessary for the proper management and production of the UDK and its affiliates.
- Three courses over the academic year.
- Provide daily critiques of the UDK’s content and quality.
- Offer advice and guidance to student journalists, recognizing that students maintain editorial control.
- Work with the internal stakeholders, especially the board, faculty, staff, and administrators, to ensure that the UDK fulfills its educational mission at the highest possible standards.
- Work with external audiences as a contact for those with questions or concerns about the UDK’s performance in meeting its chartered purposes.
- Be active in local, regional, and national media organization and work with industry representatives as a contact for those with questions about placement and performance.
- Guide students in developing multimedia content for a variety of platforms.
5% - Other duties as determined by the UDK board
Required Qualifications
1. Master’s degree in journalism, business, or relevant discipline
2. Seven years professional media experience
3. Five years media management experience
4. Three years' experience in creating and maintaining an annual budget
5. One year of supervisory experience.
2. Seven years professional media experience
3. Five years media management experience
4. Three years' experience in creating and maintaining an annual budget
5. One year of supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Management experience in digital media
2. Experience with college student media
3. College-level teaching experience
4. Strong spoken and written communication skills
2. Experience with college student media
3. College-level teaching experience
4. Strong spoken and written communication skills
Additional Candidate Instructions
Letter of application must address philosophy of working with students in media, both in the classroom and in the newsroom, resume/CV, statement of skills, and three letters of recommendation.
Initial review of applications begins June 24, 2022, and continues as long as required to identify a qualified pool.
Initial review of applications begins June 24, 2022, and continues as long as required to identify a qualified pool.
Contact Information to Applicants
Lisa McLendon
lisamclendon@ku.edu
lisamclendon@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Work Schedule
40hrs/week, schedule to be determined between candidate and supervisor
Application Review Begins
24-Jun-2022
Anticipated Start Date
01-Aug-2022