Programming Manager

Alabama Public Television (APT) is seeking an experienced programming professional to lead the organization’s programming strategy through content planning, program acquisition, scheduling, audience analysis, and producer partnerships. The Programming Manager oversees APT’s programming operations, supervises staff, leads programming initiatives, and fosters relationships with producers, public media organizations, content providers, and community partners.

This leadership role is critical to ensuring APT delivers high-quality, relevant programming that informs, educates, and inspires audiences across Alabama while advancing its public service mission. The successful candidate will be passionate about television programming and audience engagement, with the ability to maximize the reach, relevance, and impact of APT’s content and services.

What You’ll Do

• Plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate programming content and related communication initiatives that support APT’s mission, audience needs, and strategic priorities.
• Supervise staff, providing direction and training while ensuring achievement of departmental goals.
• Manage and oversee the organization’s programming budget.

• Develop and maintain relationships with producers, distributors, public media organizations, educational institutions, community partners, and content providers while identifying programming opportunities, coordinating content acquisition activities, and negotiating programming agreements.

• Develop programming schedules to ensure seamless broadcasting.

• Coordinate special programming initiatives and pledge programming activities that support audience engagement, fundraising efforts, and strategic organizational goals.

• Ensure program logs meet FCC standards and station policies.

• Develop and manage programming communications, website content, featured programming highlights, and promotional materials that increase audience awareness and engagement.

• Support membership and fundraising efforts through programming promotions, ticket offers, special presentations, and audience engagement initiatives.
• Coordinate programming information with internal and external stakeholders and collaborate with the Multiplatform Content Department to analyze audience engagement, content performance, and promotional effectiveness to inform programming strategies.
• Contribute to the development and distribution of APT’s weekly newsletter.
• Respond to viewer inquiries about programming and scheduling.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Journalism, Broadcasting, Communications, Media Studies, or a closely related field.
• Six (6) years of professional experience in television broadcasting, public media programming, or related operations, including at least two (2) years of professional experience in program planning, content acquisition, scheduling, program development, or programming management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PBS programming services, scheduling platforms, policies, and standards.
• Experience managing programming budgets, negotiating content acquisition agreements, and overseeing broadcast scheduling operations.
• Experience analyzing audience engagement, ratings, digital analytics, or content performance metrics to inform programming decisions.
• Experience coordinating content partnerships with producers, distributors, educational organizations, or media partners.
• Supervisory or management experience.
• Familiarity with FCC regulations, broadcast standards, and compliance reporting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines effectively.
• Knowledge of television programming, content acquisition, and scheduling principles.
• Knowledge of broadcast industry trends, content distribution platforms, and viewer engagement practices.
• Ability to analyze data and audience insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Ability to effectively supervise, coach, and develop staff.

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, cancer, and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits, effective on date of hire.
• Pension plan
• Paid annual and sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Thirteen paid holidays
• PSLF Qualifying Employer