WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
The Executive Producer of 1A provides editorial and operational leadership for 1A, WAMU’s flagship national daily talk show, with reach across broadcast, on-demand, and digital platforms. The EP ensures that 1A delivers impactful journalism with a distinctive voice that reflects the diversity of America and helps the country listen to itself.
This position is one of WAMU’s most visible and influential roles, responsible for sustaining and evolving the program’s editorial vision, growing its audience and carriage, and serving as a public ambassador for the station. The EP oversees a high-performing, diverse team; manages all aspects of production and operations; champions creative risk and innovation; and contributes to WAMU’s senior content leadership team to advance the station’s overall strategy and impact.
Essential Functions:
1.) Editorial Leadership and Creative Vision
Establish, evolve, and maintain the editorial vision, standards, and distinctive voice of 1A.
Oversee daily production, ensuring content meets WAMU’s commitment to impactful, essential journalism.
Lead development of bold editorial projects, special series, and innovative formats that expand 1A’s national impact.
Collaborate with and develop hosts and producers, ensuring strong on-air performance and clear editorial leadership.
Ensure staffing, sourcing, and content reflect the diversity of the country.
Foster a culture of creativity, experimentation, collaboration, and editorial excellence.
2.) Strategic Growth, Advocacy and Partnerships
Serve as the chief advocate and ambassador for 1A, representing the program internally and externally, and inspiring stakeholders, station partners, and donors.
Build and maintain strong relationships with NPR, station partners, and other industry stakeholders to sustain and expand carriage and distribution.
Collaborate with Development, Sponsorship, and Marketing to support fundraising, underwriting, and audience growth tied to 1A.
Play a key role in WAMU’s senior content leadership team, contributing to station-wide strategy, culture, and decision-making.
3.) Audience, Impact and Platform Expansion
Extend 1A content into digital, social, and on-demand platforms.
Use research, metrics, and station feedback to monitor and improve program performance across broadcast and digital.
Define and achieve clear measures of success, including audience growth, station carriage, digital engagement, and diversity of perspectives.
Champion innovation and creative risk to ensure 1A remains relevant, distinctive, and ahead of national conversations.
4.) Operational and Team Management
Oversee staffing, workflow, and resource allocation for efficient, sustainable operations.
Manage budgets and ensure compliance with organizational policies.
Recruit, mentor, and develop staff through effective performance management, including goal-setting, feedback, and coaching.
Cultivate a supportive, high-performance team culture.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Salary Range:
$180,000 - $200,000 annually.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Minimum of 10 years in journalism, including at least 7 years in editorial leadership and program production.
Demonstrated success supervising and developing editorial teams, including hosts and producers.
Proven experience with audio production across multiple formats, including broadcast and digital.
Flexibility, creativity, and a positive approach to change in a fast-paced daily production environment.
Deep interest in news, politics, culture, and social issues, with the ability to connect these topics to diverse audiences.
Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills; proven ability to inspire and manage diverse, cross-functional teams.
Experience representing a program or organization publicly and cultivating relationships with stakeholders, donors, and partners.
Benefits: AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.