Chief Original Content Officer (Extended Temporary)

The Chief Original Content Officer (COCO) is the highest-ranking original content creation executive for Arizona Public Media (AZPM), an editorially independent non-profit media organization that produces and provides radio, television, and digital programming as a community service of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. The COCO will lead the development and execution of original content strategies for AZPM radio, television, and digital original productions. The COCO will be responsible for overseeing the creation of compelling, high-quality content across various genres and platforms. The COCO's leadership will be critical in driving AZPM's Audience Engagement Strategic Initiative, expanding its original content portfolio, and solidifying its position as a leading and trusted media organization in the region and in the public media system.

The COCO will directly supervise and mentor the News Director and Series Manager, independent contractors, and is responsible for a large team of professionals in addition to student employees. The COCO is an accomplished storyteller with the ability to work creatively under deadline pressure on multiple media platforms simultaneously. They will have an established history of mentoring and coaching students, journalists, and media professionals.

The COCO is responsible for developing and advancing the overall look, style, and journalistic content of AZPM's original local productions, which include newscasts, regular (daily and weekly) series, documentaries, and other long-form and short-form content; growing AZPM's original production portfolio; expanding content offerings; and increasing program appeal, consumption, impact, and, ultimately, audience loyalty and support.

This position is a member of the AZPM Executive Management team and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.

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1. Content Strategy

• Develop
  and implement a comprehensive content strategy that aligns with AZPM's
  brand, target audience, and strategic business objectives.

2. Creative Vision

• Set a
  clear and inspiring creative vision for the News and (non-news) Content
  departments. Foster an environment that encourages creativity, innovation,
  and risk-taking in content development and production while meeting the
  performance delivery requirements of AZPM's original productions.

3. Content
Development

• Oversee
  the end-to-end process of original content creation, from ideation and
  pitching to production, post-production, and distribution. Work closely
  with content creators, producers, journalists, and talent to ensure the
  delivery of journalistically sound, high-quality, relevant, and compelling
  original content.

4. Genre
& Platform Diversification

• Expand
  AZPM's original content portfolio by exploring new platforms, genres,
  formats, and content types. Analyze audience research data and market
  trends to identify untapped opportunities for growth.

5. Cross-platform
Integration

• Collaborate
  with other AZPM/UA departments, media organizations, NPR, and PBS to
  ensure seamless integration and promotion of AZPM original content across
  various platforms and distribution channels.

6. Budget
and Resource Management

• Develop
  and manage the News and Original Content Production budgets and expenses,
  ensuring efficient allocation of all resources and delivering
  cost-effective and sustainable original productions to AZPM audiences.

7. Talent
Development

• Oversee
  the recruitment, development, and management of AZPM News and Content
  Production staff. Nurture and develop creative talent within the
  organization and community. Provide mentorship and guidance to content
  creators, journalists, on-air talent, and students, empowering them to
  reach their full potential.

• Provides
  constructive feedback to Production Services staff (videographers,
  editors, etc.) which are supervised by the Technology division at AZPM.

8. Quality Control

• Maintain
  the highest standards of original content quality and ensures that all
  original content produced by AZPM adheres to AZPM's Editorial Policies and
  Standards, Code of Ethics, values, and legal guidelines.

9. Partnerships and Acquisitions

• Identify
  strategic original content production and distribution partnership
  opportunities and independent content co-production opportunities to
  strengthen AZPM's original content portfolio.

10. Audience
Insights

• Use
  data-driven insights and independent audience and contributor feedback to
  refine content strategies and improve content relevance and appeal.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability
  to motivate and manage creative staff and journalists.
• Understanding
  of significant issues affecting Southern Arizona.

• Bachelor's
  degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level
  experience required.
• Minimum
  of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial
  experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience
  leading a team, project, program, or function is required

• Experience in multi-media work environments (print, TV, radio, digital).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Master's preferred.