Job Class: Senior Executive Job Title: Sr. Vice President, Chief Content Officer
Department: Content
Salary Grade: 18 Effective Date: 2/2025
Unrepresented, Exempt
EEOC Classification: Executive/Senior Level Officials and Managers
Location: OPB Main HQ — Portland, OR
About OPB
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is an independent, nonprofit media organization serving communities across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB connects people through trusted journalism that is freely accessible to everyone. Guided by public service, we deliver in-depth, fact-driven coverage of politics, science and the environment, arts and culture, education and more. OPB shares stories and programs wherever people seek them: on opb.org, OPB Radio and TV, the OPB News app, social media, streaming video, podcasts, or our daily “First Look” and other email newsletters.
The Opportunity
OPB is facing an unprecedented need and opportunity to expand the depth and reach of our journalism. With an existing network of influence and partners embedded in communities across the region, OPB is building an infrastructure to support our own original storytelling and dynamic news ecosystems throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. We strive for delivery of highest-quality, trusted journalism and storytelling accessible to all, that enriches and strengthens communities. OPB is respected for its strong brand, loyal membership base and contributions to a compelling mission at a critical moment.
We seek a strategic and visionary leader with an innovative spirit and sharp instincts for journalism across formats and platforms. This senior position, reporting to the CEO, will shape our audience-centered storytelling as we strive to lead the news and public affairs conversation across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest through OPB journalism and strong partnerships around the region.
The chief content officer will ensure that audiences experience OPB’s storytelling, news, and information as an essential and engaging part of their daily lives. This leader oversees about 100 journalists across news, science, history, culture, arts and music who create content for websites, radio, television, apps, podcasts, and streaming platforms.
This inspirational leader should have a strong record of nurturing talent and understand how to reflect the rich diversity of communities we serve. They also should have demonstrated success in reaching new audiences and connecting with people who might not otherwise encounter OPB, even as we honor those who have been loyal audiences for many years.
Based in Portland, Oregon, this leader will be on-site at OPB headquarters in Portland most of the week supporting high-performing, dynamic, creative teams. We seek a content chief who can lead with clarity, compassion and courage. This leader should be a partner to the CEO who understands all that OPB and KMHD already represent to our community – and all that we can be in the years ahead.
Details and Position Responsibilities
This leader is a creative thinker who thrives in a collaborative environment. The content chief will help transform OPB into a digital-first organization that will continue serving our loyal radio and television audiences. The chief will also partner with our programming and events teams to create dynamic community experiences. A central need is a leader who can think across platforms for maximum power of our storytelling to serve our audiences.
The CCO will partner closely with leaders across the organization, including in audience, development and operations, working together to ensure a public media service that is focused on audience service and oriented to optimize audience growth and financial sustainability. They will think cohesively across news and content and work with the chief operations officer to facilitate nimble systems that support teams in delivering essential, impactful journalism.
OPB is building a rapidly growing news team led by the VP of news. Its content teams include news reporters and editors, visual and video storytellers, podcast producers and jazz hosts, among many other roles. The CCO oversees signature OPB programs such as Oregon Field Guide, Oregon Experience, Art Beat and Think Out Loud, as well as the jazz station KMHD, which OPB operates in partnership with Mt. Hood Community College.
Key responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with the CEO in setting and driving journalism vision and strategy.
- Lead and elevate high-performing, collaborative teams that embrace public service, the future of journalism, and audiences’ fast-changing needs.
- Innovate on storytelling formats and delivery to inform, engage and delight existing audiences and reach new ones.
- Maximize the power of our storytelling to serve audiences across platforms and formats.
- Uphold the highest standards of journalism ethics and excellence, including accuracy, fairness and transparency, as well as nuanced storytelling that captures the complexities of the world around us.
- Nurture and develop talented staff and foster a culture of accountability, curiosity and inclusion.
- Lead with empathy and clarity while building strong relationships across the organization.
Working Conditions:
Working conditions are generally within the typical office environment. Occasionally, working evenings, weekends and holidays may be required, along with some travel.
Reports to:
President and CEO
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Five or more years of experience in leadership roles.
- Ten or more years of professional journalism experience.
- Persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
- Experience in using audience analytics to inform decisions.
- Strong understanding of media partnerships and the business of media, including how to work collaboratively with the business side of OPB to achieve content and distribution goals.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.
- Enthusiasm for the mission and values of OPB.
Preferred Position Requirements:
- Expertise in shaping content for digital audiences and deep understanding of audiences across platforms to reach new audiences.
- Excellence in organizational management, with the ability to coach staff, manage and develop high-performing teams, and set and achieve role clarity and strategic objectives while fostering an inclusive culture.
- An established record of driving excellence and sustainability in a fast-paced, dynamic newsroom and media organization.
- A record of collaboration, leadership, innovation, nimbleness, and audience-focused decision making, including a test-and-learn approach.
Additional Information
- This position reports to the President and CEO and is benefits-eligible
- The probable hiring range for this exempt position is between $215,000 and $275,000 annually, depending on qualifications
- For the safety of our employees, the contractors/vendors we work with, and the public we serve, OPB has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy, and all employees are required to show proof of vaccination
