Director of Student Media
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
The Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication invites applications for our director of student media. We seek an outstanding and visionary leader who is able to set a strategic direction for and manage our award-winning multi-unit student media operation.
The Position
This newly created Director of Student Media will manage the Kent State University Department of Student Media’s business and advising operations, including advertising, finance, contracts, legal, personnel and marketing. The Director of Student Media will supervise the Office of Student Media four-person professional staff and work with student leaders and advisers for each media unit to set a strategic direction for the organization as well as JMC faculty to build a stronger curriculum that supports student media and strengthens the school. The Director of Student Media reports to the Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and serves on the School’s Executive Committee.
The Qualifications
Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field and have a minimum of five years of experience in a professional or college media organization that includes management, budgeting and digital media experience.
Special preference will be given to those who have
- Experience in overseeing media production including news writing, photography, video, design, website development, advertising and marketing and in mentoring students.
- Knowledge of relevant regulations and laws, current media technology and trends and challenges facing media companies.
- Ability to recognize new opportunities and challenges and to develop and deliver both operating budgets and long-term strategic plans.
- Skill in verbal, written and interpersonal communication, collaborative decision-making and the ability to communicate effectively with all components of the university and external constituents.
- Commitment to the importance of student press freedom and the independence of student content decision makers.
Salary is competitive and dependent upon qualifications and experience.
The Opportunity
Kent State University’s student media operation includes nine award-winning units: newspaper, cable television station, multi-media news website, web-based radio station and five magazines. All are independent with all content decisions made by student editors/managers. The Office of Student Media’s annual budget is over $800,000 supported both by advertising revenue and student activity fee allocations and involves over 400 students per semester.
Kent State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication is a forward-thinking school, strategically positioned within an innovative college and a dynamic university. Our ACEJMC-accredited program teaches a diverse population of more than 800 undergraduate and 200 master’s students. The School is home to the Center for Scholastic Journalism, a national clearinghouse of information for and about student journalists and their advisers.
Kent State University’s eight-campus system in northeast Ohio is among the largest regional systems in the country with more than 42,000 students. The University’s Center for Student Involvement offers programs and services designed to foster student growth and development through leadership, civic, cultural and involvement opportunities and supports over 300 student organizations including student media.
To Apply
Visit our website at http://jobs.kent.edu (position number 998192) to submit an application letter, résumé and names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references.
Review of applications will begin on September 25, 2014, and will continue until the position is filled.
Questions may be directed to:
Mark Goodman, Professor and Knight Chair in Scholastic Journalism
Search Committee Co-Chair
Kent State University
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
P.O. Box 5190, 201D Franklin Hall
Kent, OH 44242-0001
Mgoodm10@kent.edu
330.672.6239