KSPS PBS - President and General Manager

KSPS PBS is searching for a strong leader for our next President and General Manager to manage operations and serve as the external ambassador of our renowned Public Television Station. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this position will be directly responsible for all station activities. The President and General Manager will provide an innovative, creative and strategic vision for KSPS PBS as we seek to strategically maintain and expand our position, while navigating the continual transformation of digital media.

The next President and General Manager of KSPS PBS must excel at community engagement and partnership building with the ability to deliver critical and effective fundraising leadership to both public and private sectors, while providing internal leadership and management of staff and facilities.

KSPS PBS is a trusted, community-licensed public television station based in Spokane, Washington, with a legacy of nearly 60 years serving the Inland Northwest and Western Canada. Known for our integrity, educational mission, and cross-border reach, we deliver four broadcast channels and an extensive digital and streaming presence that reaches over 2 million viewers annually.

As a mid-sized PBS station with a big impact, KSPS serves a diverse region that spans Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Western Montana, ___ tribal nations, and significant portions of Alberta and British Columbia. Approximately one-third of our donors are Canadian, making us one of the only truly international PBS stations in the United States.

We operate with a passionate, high-performing staff across departments focused on development, production, programming, education, engineering, and operations. Our mission is to connect, enrich, and inspire the communities we serve. We do that by delivering trusted journalism, compelling documentaries, vibrant local productions, educational resources for learners of all ages, and community convenings that foster dialogue and civic health.

KSPS PBS is governed by a community board of directors and supported by over 25,000 active members. After the rescission of federal funding, we are doubling down on innovation, regional partnerships, and a values-driven approach that centers education, inclusion, climate awareness, and economic opportunity for all.

We seek an experienced and mission-driven individual, who will collaboratively foster a positive, aligned culture within KSPS, keep the organization improving its effectiveness in serving the people of our region, and maintain our strong financial condition, and who:

• Is a respectful, fair and mission-driven team leader and builder;
• Is a selfless, effective change agent who puts the mission and success of KSPS first;
• Is an empowering leader: Takes time to learn and utilize existing strengths of individuals and groups, and mentors and supports professional growth of individuals and our staff as a whole;
• Has great people skills and is effective with a wide range of stakeholders – from staff to individual donors and regional legislative, congressional, business and community leaders.

To lead and represent KSPS in various arenas, we seek a person with highly developed public and private interpersonal skills, who:

• Can demonstrate being a skillful listener;
• Enjoys being in a public situation;
• Is an organized thinker, effective writer and speaker;
• Is personable, inspiring and respectful;
• Is an effective spokesperson for the organization.

The leader we seek will:

• Continue to grow KSPS’s presence in the Spokane area, has personal qualities the community/region can connect with;
• Demonstrate a record of community engagement and collaboration, and of developing partnerships with individuals and organizations;
• Is comfortable and effective with a wide range of people, including at high levels of civic leadership in the region;
• Have a high level of energy for visiting stakeholders across the region, as well as authentic enthusiasm for Spokane in its geographic and demographic diversity.

Inspiring, respectful, collaborative, and highly competent manager of people and teams. We seek a leader with:

• An ability to create and maintain an effective, aligned, and cross-functional culture of engaged professionals;
• An ability to adjust our leadership style as needed, collaborating, enrolling, delegating, and directing as required by the situation;
• Skills at managing conflict, both limiting unhealthy and encouraging healthy conflict;
• The desire to and practice of seeking input from staff, and is comfortable with being respectfully challenged.

Our expectation is to attract a person with an expert level of knowledge and media savvy, including trends in technology and consumption of media (digital, broadcast, podcasting) who:

• Has a high level of understanding of the importance, issues and trends of localism, and ability to lead KSPS in this area;
• Is skilled at providing strategic management, including investment decisions related to maintaining effectiveness of our studio, geographically dispersed television transmitting and digital capacity;
• Is technologically competent in the content area, fluent with strategic and tactical aspects of digital and social media, and able to provide effective leadership towards identifying and adopting new platforms.

Expert decision-maker, who:

• Has the ability to prioritize and determine significance of a particular issue, understands who to include in the problem-solving process, and knows what and how much information is needed;
• Is able to effectively analyze and use data in the decision-making process, and will make decisions in a timely matter;
• Is good at follow-through - clearly communicates decision, designs and administers effective execution, with appropriate pre-determined success measures and time-posts;
• Has a high level of strength to stick by decisions and/or know when a change of direction is needed.

In the context of ongoing transformational changes, the Internet is having on availability and use of media as well as societal changes in the external and internal environment, our candidate:

• Should display an ability to project KSPS’s needs into the long-term future;
• Can see and understand future trends in media, in related fields and the world, and the impact on our work and workplace;
• Has a learning orientation, including demonstrated methods for gathering, assimilating and making meaning out of information about the changing media, technology and demographic landscape;
• Can balance vision with doing;
• Is able to enroll others in working together to execute vision.

KSPS seeks an effective fundraiser who is knowledgeable of and expert at the General Manager role in fundraising and resource development, who:

• Has a demonstrated record of success with major donor fundraising;
• Is effective as a mission spokesperson and at relationship management aspects of fundraising, both individual and institutional;
• Has a comprehensive understanding of public media fundraising strategies and methods;
• Is creative and capable of conceiving and developing alternative revenue streams.

As we continue to move through the revolution in media consumption and seek to become a truly indispensable local institution, we are looking for a track record demonstrating a high level of skill in the change process, including:

• Understands the impact of culture on change efforts and is able to successfully navigate cultural as well as process change;
• Highly developed skill at prioritizing, and accomplished at sequencing change;
• Is personally creative and able to act on that creativity. Is open-minded and a good learner;
• Has a focus on innovative models and conquering challenges;
• Sees possibilities even in the face of severe difficulties;
• Is an out-of-the-box thinker.

Our next General Manager will understand and be highly committed to KSPS’s mission and:

• Lives the mission and creates and maintains our workplace in line with our organizational values;
• Has proven ability to articulate and explain organizational mission to staff as well as external stakeholders and the public at large, stand behind it, and interpret its applications for others.
• Frequently refers to the mission and incorporates it into daily activities.

Spokane is a vibrant city of over 230,000 people located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. As the second-largest city in Washington State, Spokane combines urban amenities with easy access to nature, offering a high quality of life, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of community.

Nestled along the Spokane River and surrounded by mountains, lakes, and national forests, Spokane is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The region boasts four distinct seasons, hundreds of miles of trails, five nearby ski resorts, and one of the largest urban waterfalls in the United States. Spokane’s Riverfront Park, recently renovated, is a downtown crown jewel and a hub of arts, festivals, and recreation.

Culturally, Spokane punches above its weight. The city is home to thriving local music and arts scenes, the Spokane Symphony, multiple live theater venues, and a wide array of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. Educational opportunities abound, with five universities in the area, including Gonzaga University and Washington State University Spokane.

As a media market, Spokane is unique for its international footprint. With large viewership and donor support from Alberta and British Columbia, public media in Spokane is defined by borderless storytelling and connection.

For those drawn to mission-driven work in a setting that combines purpose, community, and natural beauty, Spokane is a place to plant roots and lead with impact.

KSPS is being assisted in this search by Livingston Associates. For consideration, please submit a resume and a letter of introduction that describes how you will be the ideal person to lead the organization.
Date for full consideration: November 16th

Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates at (509) 355-1974.

Equal Employment and Nondiscrimination

At KSPS, we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all and cultivate a caring and professional environment. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.