Executive Director

Summary of Work: Foster free-speech, public dialogue, and government transparency as the next Executive Director of Dakota Media Access (DMA), located in central North Dakota. As the chief executive officer, you will lead a community media nonprofit that produces, empowers, promotes and distributes local programming to inform, inspire and educate.

In this role, you will provide vision, leadership, and direction to ensure the community’s needs are met in an evolving telecommunications landscape. Key responsibilities include generating and managing funding streams to support a nearly $1 million budget; serving as DMA’s principal spokesperson; and managing DMA staff of six and media operations. The ED reports to a Board of Directors and works collaboratively with the cities of Bismarck and Mandan.

Qualifications and Application: To be successful in this position, you must have a passion and commitment for community media. You are a relationship builder, able to engage diverse groups and individuals, as well as able to create a culture of high performance. You are known for your skills to generate new revenue streams. You embrace technology and media literacy. And you can quickly become fluent in the regulations and trends of your industry.

To be considered for this position, you must have a proven track record as an ED or similar leadership role with a minimum of five (5) years in the community media field, telecommunications, or non-profit organization(s). Your experience should include the following:

• Sound fiscal administration of a budget exceeding $1 million
• Strategic and operational planning
• Navigation and engagement with civic and government interests
• Knowledge of federal cable and broadcast regulations, media production techniques, operating rules, training programs, and related matters.

Desirable education includes college-level study, technical school, or background in communications, business or non-profit administration, mass communications, media production, or a related field.

To apply, email resume and cover letter to search@freetv.org. Position will be open until filled. Interviews will begin January 10, 2025.

Location and Schedule: The position is full-time, in-person, and requires scheduling flexibility, such as the ability to work evenings, occasional weekends, or during special events or to meet deadlines.

Compensation: The starting salary range is $93,000 to $103,000, DOE. Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays, single health plan, simple IRA, and supplemental insurance are provided.

About DMA

DMA’s mission is to produce, empower, promote, and distribute local programming; provide equipment and technology services; and create collaborations that strengthen the community. DMA currently supports local and government programming via television, radio and streaming channels. For more information, visit our web site at FreeTV.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, status with respect to marriage or public assistance, or participation in lawful activity off the employer’s premises during nonworking hours which is not in direct conflict with essential business-related interests of the employer. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.