WSUM Station Manager
The Station Manager of WSUM maintains and improves the effectiveness of the
radio station according to its vision, mission and goals through the following
responsibilities and duties. The Station Manager is accountable to the students
who comprise WSUM, the General Manager and – ultimately – the Board of
Regents. The Station Manager is responsible for ensuring the on-air and off-air success of the
station and that the student management team functions effectively.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Promote WSUM philosophy and services;
2. Administer and direct all off-air activities, especially including the administrative
infrastructure (except those areas administered and directed by the General Manager);
3. Develop and maintain connections with other campus organizations;
4. Maintain frequent interaction and communication with WSUM staff, directors/managers and
committee members;
5. Perform such other duties as are incumbent upon the Station Manager or as assigned by the
General Manager.
DUTIES
STATION OPERATIONS
1. Chair of Student Management and All-Station meetings.
2. Guide the establishment, implementation and achievement of WSUM annual goals; the
budgetary planning, implementation and the evaluation of WSUM off-air initiatives and
programs.
3. Serve as a member of the WSUM Governance Board and Friends of Madison Student
Radio.
4. Represent (or appoint a WSUM representative) on all University committees for which
WSUM student representation is required.
5. Develop and maintain working relations with the student government, the Department of
Life Sciences Communication office and the Friends of Madison Student Radio.
6. Assist in the annual review of WSUM organizational structure.
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7. Actively pursue cultural diversity and integrity within WSUM and its departments.
8. Assist in the recruitment and the selection of WSUM paid student staff.
9. Serve on the Application Review Board of the Governance Board.
10. Uphold the WSUM By-laws and actively participate in the review and implementation of
WSUM Station Manual as well as department policies and procedures.
11. Recruit WSUM staff. Guide the Talk, Music and Promotions directors in developing and
implementing their agendas. Help to guide the genre teams and monitor their progress.
12. Assist General Manager in the presentation of the annual budget proposal to Student
Services Finance Committee (SSFC).
13. Carry out those duties assigned by General Manager and/or the Governance Board.
STATION MANAGER
VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE POSITION
The Station Manager sets the tone for WSUM staff. You are expected to set an example, be
accessible, and to lead the station forward by creating opportunities for involvement,
inspiring junior staff members to empower students in their departments, resolve
challenges as they arise, and lead strategic planning as to how WSUM can better meet its
mission.
The Station Manager must be committed to WSUM’s core values as expressed in its
Mission Statement. In summary:
1. WSUM will act in a service and outreach capacity for the students of the University
of Wisconsin-Madison and people of Madison and surrounding communities. The
Station Manager shall lead, support and assist the student staff in the development of
strong ties to these communities.
2. WSUM will provide an educational environment and valuable hands-on experience.
The Station Manager will support the General Manager in efforts to establish curricular
connections and will support the Program Director in training on-air personnel. Overall,
the Station Manager will support the educational needs and goals of students in an
environment where curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular student learning is
valued.
3. WSUM will also provide an alternative source of music and information
programming to the campus and community. The Station Manager is expected to
encourage, empower and support the Program Director and on-air staff in their efforts to
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offer alternatives to mainstream music and mainstream points of view as part of WSUM
programming.
The WSUM Station Manager is an elected position, at the discretion of the WSUM Governance
Board. The elected person must be confirmed by the Governance Board, which only overrides
that choice in extreme cases. WSUM seeks candidates with on-air experience, leadership
potential, co-curricular involvement and life experiences. The staff and management of WSUM
subscribe to all applicable policies and procedures governing Equal Employment Opportunities.
WSUM’s continuing policy is to afford equal opportunity to qualified individuals for
employment and/or advancement In hiring, the station shall also conform to all other applicable laws and regulations.
This policy of equal opportunity covers all aspects of employment.
TIME COMMITMENT
The Station Manager position requires a significant time commitment. This position is not a
grant or a fellowship; it is a management position that requires the staff person to be available
for a variety of hours during the week, some at night and some on weekends. Being available to
students is a critical element in the successful performance of the position’s responsibilities.
Assisting in leading all-station and student management meetings is required throughout the
calendar year. It is paid on a lump sum appointment basis. The Station Manager can expect to
commit to approximately 20 hours per week, 50 weeks per year. During some weeks this person
will experience greater demands on their time than others.