Program Directors

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

Median Annual Wage: $69,100

Education: Bachelor's degree (65%); High school diploma or equivalent (13%); Associate's degree (12%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Production Director; Director; Newscast Director; Program Director; Program Manager; Programming Director; Program Coordinator; Operations Director; Station Manager; Television Program Director (TV Program Director)

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Program Directors.

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  • Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
  • Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
  • Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
  • Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
  • Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.
  • Prepare copy and edit tape so that material is ready for broadcasting.
  • Confer with directors and production staff to discuss issues such as production and casting problems, budgets, policies, and news coverage.
  • Develop ideas for programs and features that a station could produce.
  • Evaluate new and existing programming to assess suitability and the need for changes, using information such as audience surveys and feedback.
  • Develop promotions for current programs and specials.
  • Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
  • Act as a liaison between talent and directors, providing information that performers or guests need to prepare for appearances and communicating relevant information from guests, performers, or staff to directors.
  • Review information about programs and schedules to ensure accuracy and provide such information to local media outlets.
  • Select, acquire, and maintain programs, music, films, and other needed materials and obtain legal clearances for their use as necessary.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Program Directors.

  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Program Directors.

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