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President and Chief Executive Officer

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Current Situation

President and CEO William “Bill” Mohler announced his intention to retire in the latter part of 2008. The Board of Directors formed a search committee who selected Spencer Stuart to conduct an executive search to recruit a new leader to KCTS 9. The station, under Mohler’s leadership, finds itself on solid financial ground after a treacherous period of near insolvency when he arrived. The station has in large measure curtailed its national production efforts and has in the process reduced its operating budget to approximately $20 million annually with a full-time headcount which stands at approximately 85. Astute financial management will continue to be an essential imperative for the new President & CEO.

In the dynamic and fluid media market, KCTS 9 faces the same challenge of many traditional media outlets as it builds its enterprise for the future. Poised for the transition to digital transmission in 2009, the station has the opportunity to extend its content and brand to new distribution channels, from new digital television channels to mobile and Internet platforms . Visionary leadership will help prepare the board, the staff and the enterprise at large for the opportunities that new media content creation and distribution offer KCTS 9.

Consistent with all of public media, the funding challenges at KCTS 9 are ongoing, pressing and real. At present, KCTS 9 generates approximately 65% of its annual revenue from memberships and pledges, with a significant portion being derived from the Canadian market. Although certainly well-known in Seattle and the greater Northwest, KCTS 9 will need to extend both its brand and overall value to the communities it serves. The new leader will be expected to be active in raising the profile of KCTS 9 and serve as a key figure in the station’s ongoing community outreach and fundraising efforts.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall management of the corporation and its various enterprises, providing the integrity, leadership and vision to ensure the continuation of programming excellence that informs, involves and inspires the community it serves. He/She will be expected to provide leadership and disciplined management that guarantees fiscally sound and thoughtfully managed operations at all times. In addition, he/she will also be responsible for the technical development of KCTS 9’s various delivery platforms, oversight of its production capability and its robust fundraising and development initiatives.

Reports to:            The KCTS 9 Board of Directors

Direct Reports:     VP and CFO and VP and General Manager

 

Major Responsibilities:

  • He/She will develop and implement strategic and long-range plans for KCTS 9 consistent with the direction of the KCTS 9 Board. He/She will be expected to provide leadership through communication of business objectives and plans both within and, as appropriate, outside of the organization. In addition, he/she will ensure that adequate plans for the development and growth of the station are prepared and that all such plans are based on careful appraisal of programming, production, revenue generation, educational and technology activities.
  • He/She will plan and direct the diverse programs and services of KCTS 9’s television streams by formulating policy, program priorities, and the utilization of resources in order to carry out the goals and objectives established through the policies of the KCTS 9 Board of Directors.  This may well include the strategic planning and implementation that allows KCTS 9 to take maximum advantage of new media technology in its program development and distribution, while fulfilling its broader mission.
  • He/She will work closely with the management team, oversee and direct the day-to-day operations of the station, ensuring that sound managerial and financial disciplines are implemented, while leading and monitoring the performance and activities of senior management.
  • He/She will be responsible for assuring that KCTS 9’s development and fundraising efforts, which include individual memberships, underwriting, grants, major and planned giving, are sufficiently effective to cover the full scope of KCTS 9’s future operating and capital needs.  Further, he/she will oversee KCTS 9’s marketing initiatives, internal and external communications, outreach, and governmental relations.
  • He/She will develop and maintain many varied relationships of a wide-ranging nature, including the KCTS 9 Board, the Governor and staff, legislators, federal governing bodies, state and federal agencies, national public broadcasting organizations, business and civic groups, the educational community, and the general public.  Because of the occasionally controversial nature of some programs broadcast by KCTS 9, a high degree of perception and diplomacy is required when dealing with others on these issues.
  • He/She will be responsible for maintaining a program of regular communication with the KCTS 9 Board of Directors, including regular meetings to communicate KCTS 9 activities, financial status, community issues and challenges.  The President and Chief Executive Officer will be expected to work with the Board to articulate the strategic plan that will drive productions, social programming, and resource acquisitions and allocations. 

Ideal Experience

  • This challenging, highly-visible position requires broad-gauged, visionary, mission-driven leadership experience achieved as a result of a successful track record in public and/or commercial broadcasting, or other relevant leadership role.  
  • The ideal candidate will have strong financial management experience including, but not limited to, P&L management, budget development, long-term financial planning as well as a track record of disciplined financial oversight.
  • The ideal candidate will have well-developed people management skills and a lengthy experience employing good judgment and taste, sound business disciplines and strategic thinking while remaining attentive to the bottom line.  
  • Experience managing an organization in which sensitivity to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where creativity and active community participation thrive within the financial constraints of a non-profit organization, is considered a plus.  
  • The ideal candidate will have had experience building an enterprise amidst significant competitive, funding and/or technological challenges that will enable them to lead KCTS 9 effectively to a new era of enhanced programming and services to the diverse community.  


Critical Competencies for Success

  • Leadership in a Dynamic Media Environment: In an increasingly challenging funding environment amidst rapid technological changes, the ideal candidate will guide, build and, as necessary, lead the evolution of KCTS 9 in its ongoing service to its regional community by engaging and involving all of its stakeholders in the further development and implementation of operating strategies that fulfill KCTS 9’s stated mission.
  • Operating Expertise in a Consensus Driven Culture: Working in an environment with limited resources and an experienced senior leadership team, the ideal candidate will keep KCTS 9 at the forefront of public broadcasting in the U.S. and Canada by effectively managing the day-to-day oversight of KCTS 9’s operations in order to build, develop and ultimately sustain an integrated business model.
  • Communication and Relationship Building Skills with a Diverse Set of Stakeholders: With its stature as a public broadcasting organization in the local Seattle community, in the state of Washington, in British Columbia, and in the broader national public broadcasting network of organizations, the ideal candidate will extend KCTS 9’s existing stature by serving as KCTS 9’s primary spokesperson and community liaison using strong interpersonal and communication skills for the purpose of increasing KCTS 9’s funding, its membership base and its overall good standing in the communities it serves.  

Other Personal Characteristics

  • Superior speaking, listening, and writing skills, as well as the ability to sell ideas and concepts to various constituencies, internal and external to the organization.  Strong presentation skills in both one-on-one executive briefings and large audience settings. 
  • A team player who can quickly establish himself/herself as the trusted leader of the team and be relied upon to get things done.  Identifies closely with, and is committed to, the achievement of KCTS 9’s overall mission. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of legislative and political trends affecting the media and public broadcasting. 
  • Knowledge of and passion for how current and developing broadcast and media technologies may be deployed in order to deliver unique and compelling content to diverse communities.   
  • BA degree in Business or Communication.

 

TO APPLY:  Qualified candidates please submit a cover letter and resume to: Spencer Stuart, Attention: William Schutte, 525 Market Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94105. Email:   wschutte@SpencerStuart.com  Fax: 415-495-7524 (Reference KCTS 9 President and CEO in your subject line)