April 2024
One of the leading public media organizations in the country and a cornerstone of the Rochester community, WXXI is launching the search for a new President and CEO to succeed Norm Silverstein who will be retiring after 28 years of distinguished service. This is clearly a significant inflection point for the organization as it seeks to recruit a leader to succeed a long-tenured, highly respected, and successful leader. Please refer to Norm Silversteinâs retirement announcement here
The next CEO will have the opportunity to lead, along with the Board of Trustees and staff, the next transformative phase of WXXIâs work as it navigates the fastchanging media landscape. The new CEO will be innovating and driving outcomes during a time of economic uncertainty, ensuring WXXIâs relevance and deepening community impact. Post-pandemic challenges will offer opportunities to reimagine WXXI's role, leveraging modern technologies and media trends while upholding core values of community service, respect, dedication to learning, innovation, diversity,andaccountability.
As WXXI seeks to expand the myriad of ways in which the organization engages Rochester and the Finger Lakes region, the new President and CEO will provide a solid bedrock of visionary leadership that builds on WXXIâs 66-year legacy and will ensure that WXXI stays at the forefront of public media regionally and nationally. Of particular note, WXXI owns and operates CITY, a monthly magazine, and The Little Theatre, a film and arts venue, which presents a unique combination of assets. This leader will endeavor to continue programming excellence, lead the development of existing and emerging digital platforms, spearhead robust fundraising and development initiatives, and maintain fiscally sound and thoughtfully led operations.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO leads, directs, and coordinates the activities of the organization in accordance with policies, goals, and objectives established by the Board and articulated through WXXIâs mission, vision, values, and strategic plan. This person will oversee an operating budget of $16.66 million, a staff of154fullandpart-timeemployees,andanendowmentof$12.054million.
KeyRelationships
Reports to BoardofTrustees
Direct Reports
EVPandGeneralManager ExecutiveOfficeAdministrator
Other Key Relationships Trustees
LeadershipTeam
NYStateBroadcasters
MajorResponsibilities
PartnerOrganizations
CentralcastColleagues
Foundations,Sponsors,andDonors
NYStateGovernment PBS NPR
Ensure that WXXI has the team, organizational structure, and culture to deliver mission-driven content in ambitious and innovative ways, and the operating platform and financial strength to maintain its leadership position in high-quality publicmediaofferings.
Invest in, develop, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including staff, audience members, community leaders, state and federal government officials,donors,andtrustees.
Oversee and direct all fundraising and development efforts â enhancing existing revenuestreamsandbuildingnewonesâtofurtherWXXIâsmission.
Navigate the dynamic media landscape andchangingmediaconsumptionhabits; developadata-drivenstrategyandroadmapthatarticulateshowWXXIwillproduce and distribute content that broadens and serves their diverse audiences and reflectstheissuesoftheday.
Build on the open, transparent, and community-focused culture, and foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational environment which stimulates open communication,creativity,andcollaboration.
Develop a productive working partnership withtheBoard.
Maintain strong relationships with the larger public media ecosystem and current andpotentialmediaandtechnologypartners.
Be a prominent voice and advocate for public media locally, regionally, and nationally,aswellasfortheRochesterandFingerLakescommunities.
For more than six decades, WXXI has been the foundational educational resource for children and adults in Greater Rochester. It serves eleven surrounding counties, istheregionâsmosttrustedmediapartnerandindependentcinema,andservesthe community using a wide range of programming and engagement activities. As a PBS and NPR partner, WXXI brings a variety of media and culture to the Western NewYorkarea.
WXXI is the essential, life-long educational public media resource that engages, inspires,andstrengthensourcommunity.
Vision
Highlyvaluedmediaserviceswhenyouwantthem,thewayyouwantthem.
Values
Commitmenttoourcommunity
Respectforourcommunityandourselves
Dedicationtothevalueoflearning
Appreciationforinnovationandcreativity
Commitmenttoinclusionandabalanceofdiverseperspectives
Superiorstewardshipandaccountability
As a PBS member high-definition station, WXXI features award-winning childrenâs shows, public affairs, science and nature broadcasts. In addition, it is one of the most active local program producers in New York State.
Broadcasting four main television channels (including WXXI TV, WXXI Create, WXXI PBS Kids 24/7, and WXXI World), WXXI provides a multitude of programming to suit all ages and interests. Those programs are often brought to multiple digital platforms to increase reach among those who prefer to get their media in a nontraditional or mobile device.
WXXI operates seven public radio stations, including a full-time NPR News service with local and regional reporting and a daily local talk show, a full-time classical service that produces the nationally syndicated program With Heart and Voice, a full-time AAA service, and several mixed format services.
WXXIâs continued partnerships with regional colleges allow it to strengthen relationships with the communities it serves. WXXI and the University of Rochester provide NPR news and eclectic music programming to the WRUR station. In Ithaca and Geneva, NY, WXXI has partnered with Hobart and William Smith Colleges to broadcast a music and news station that further strengthens public radio in the Finger Lakes region via the WITH and WEOS stations.
In addition to on-air and television programming, WXXI provides a wide range of outreach and community lifelong learning events. The station provides educational training and informal fun family learning to areas in the community. WXXI Education offers a wide variety of services to unserved and rural communities.
WXXIâs targeted educational outreach delivers services to children, youth, and adults through educational programming, Ready To Learn, public media resources, and out-of-school learning organizations. It also offers on-demand educational videos, online resources, and social media offerings for parents and educators, informal family learning events, a youth media film festival, in-person outreach initiatives, and local educational productions. WXXI Education staff also offer professional development workshops for educators, caregivers, and parents.
With the addition of CITY, WXXI has increased the reach and scope of its audience. CITYoffersawonderfulandcomprehensiveartsandcultureoverviewoftheregion. Includingadetailedcalendarofactiveartsevents,CITYensuresitsaudienceisboth informedandabletoquicklyaccesstheartsandcultureeventstheyseek.
The WXXI family would not be complete without The Little Theatre. The Little Theatre is the premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent and foreign films, visual arts, and music for the greater Rochester community.
Frequently partnering with WXXI Education, The Little offers educational events, special screenings, and in-depth discussions between creators and their audience. It also provides local artists a venue for live music and a gallery space. The Little focuses on engaging the community in a warm and inviting atmosphere with the intent to stimulate and expand thought, inspire the spirit, promote discussion, and openculturalhorizons.
âRochester combines small-town accessibility with big-city services. Amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, residents enjoy a housing market known for great bargains, short commute times, world-class cultural and entertainment offerings, and a fast-growing innovation economy poised to thrive inthe21stcentury.â-RochesterCommunityProfile
âRochesterhasrankedamongthebestAmericancitiesforqualityoflife. U.S. News & World Report created a list of the nation's most livable cities, considering factors including affordability, crime, availability of health care, education and average commute time. Rochester was the lone city featured from the Empire State. Ranking ninth, Rochester is described as a unique blend of history and innovation.â - Rochester named one of the best places to live in US. Here'swhy
For additional and more specific information, please refer to this article: Celebrate City Living - About Rochester
Thriving economy: Growing sectors, established companies,andcutting-edgeresearch.Locatedin Rochester, UR Medicine is one of the nation's leading academic medical centers and one of the largestemployersinthestate.
Work-life balance: Affordable housing, short commutes,andvibrantculture.
Educatedworkforce:Topuniversitiesandcolleges fosteringinnovation.
Natural beauty: Stunning scenery, parks, and trails.
Diverse neighborhoods: Unique communities witheclecticshopsandrestaurants.
High quality of life: Affordable housing, good schools and good jobs, tight-knit and friendly community,andconvenienttransportation.
Cultural attractions: World-class orchestra, festivals, and museums. Home to the renowned EastmanSchoolofMusic.
Richhistory: Civil rights landmarks and historical figures.
Nearbydestinations: Easy access to Niagara Falls, FingerLakes,andotherattractions.
While the next CEO may come from a variety of backgrounds, successful candidateswillbringseveralofthefollowingexperiences:
Track record as an effective leader and manager of diverse teams, in either a forprofit or nonprofit environment. The successful candidate will be an innovator who has evolved a business model and scaled an organization. They will have a reputation built from substance, experience, integrity, and character sufficient to earnthetrustofinternalandexternalconstituents.
The ideal candidate will have a rich understanding of and be an advocate for advancing equity, inclusion, diversity, and access at all levels, internally and externally. Prioritize diversity as a strategic business imperative. Embrace and encourage content creation that authentically represents and elevates all voices in the communities WXXI serves. A track record of attracting, retaining, and developingdiversetalent.
Theywillhaveanunderstandingofhowtomanagebudgetsandallocateresources, andhaveP&Loperatingexperience.
Demonstrated skill in generating financial and other support for a mission-driven organization or cause, as an executive, board member, or in a related role. The ideal candidate will have been a successful fundraiser in the context of a nonprofit, including from both institutional foundations and high net worth individuals and families.
Demonstrated understanding of the rapidly changing media landscape and how technology continues to change the way news is produced, consumed, and shared. Ideally,thecandidatewillbringexperienceinpartneringwithindustrycolleaguesto
Superior oral and written communication skills and the ability to sell ideas and concepts to various constituencies, both internal and external. The ideal candidate will be comfortable speaking on local, state, and national platforms and across ideologically diverse environments. The candidate will have successfully operated in an environment that values transparency and integrity in all forms of communication.
Deep understanding of and experience with news, media, mission-driven content, cultural programming, as well as a strong appreciation for the value of data analyticsanddigitalmarketing.
AB.A.orMasterâsdegree orhigherispreferred.
In an organization operating in the fast-changing media landscape, the successful candidate will:
Beavisionarythoughtleaderwhocanidentifyandcapitalizeonopportunitiesto advanceWXXIâsmissionininnovativeandfinanciallysustainableways.
Drive the development and communication of a clear strategy that builds on WXXIâs significant accomplishments to date and ensures it continues to make distinctive contributions to high-quality public media and the communities that WXXIstrivestoserve.
Be a systems thinker and advocate for intelligent change, modeling flexibility and openness to experimentation without sacrificing a commitment to quality content,audienceengagement,metrics,andoutcomes.
In an organization where a highly-regarded CEO is stepping down, a cultural transition often occurs, and the successful candidate will:
Build a collaborative, high-performance organization where people are engaged,accountable,andresilient.
Communicate clear expectations for individuals and teams and articulate the context for those expectations, both in terms of organizational objectives and linkagestoworkinotherareasoftheorganization.
Develop, manage, focus, and empower leaders throughout the organization to executeefficientlyandeffectively.
Communicate explicitly when and why changes are necessary, outline desired outcomes and risks while building consensus and alignment among stakeholders.
The next CEO will guide WXXI through a time of leadership transition, respecting its historical organizational competencies and building new strengths to allow it to thrive in a new era. The successful candidate will:
Demonstrate a passion for public media and serve as the primary spokesperson, effectivelyarticulatingWXXIâsmissionandvaluestoallrelevantaudiences.
Work effectively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to leverage resourcesforthebenefitofWXXIâsmanyaudiences.
As chief community builder, maintain established relationships with WXXIâs collaborative partners and form new and productive relationships with other nonprofitandcommunity-basedorganizations.
Champion the mission and values of WXXI, while promoting and exemplifying a strongcultureandcommitmenttodiversity,equity,inclusion,andrespect.
Partner with a dedicated and committed Board of Trustees in Rochester comprisedofcorporate,community,andcivicleaders.
WXXI is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages individualsofallbackgroundsandculturestoconsiderthisleadership position. WXXIâs commitment to inclusivity encompasses but is not limited to diversity in race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexualorientation,age,anddisability.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is between $250,000 â $350,000. Total compensation includesanexcellentbenefitspackageandiscommensuratewithexperience.
Contact
WXXI has retained Sally M. Sterling Executive Search to support the search for President and CEO. We welcome comments, nominations, or expressions of interest.Allapplicantsareaskedtoincludealetterofinterestwiththeirresume.
Pleasesendanemailwithsupportingmaterialsto: WXXI@sallysterlingexecutivesearch.com.
Based in the greater Washington, DC area, Sally M. Sterling Executive Search is a female-owned executive search services firm specializing in nonprofit and board leadership.
Sally Sterling, firm founder and principal, is a seasoned executive search consultant with more than 25 years of experience across a variety of nonprofit sectors, including foundations, media, global development, and cultural organizations. Sallyâs firm focuses on recruiting CEO and C-suite leaders for some of the most influential and prominent organizations, whether they are local, national, or international in scope and/or reach. She has worked for some of the most recognized search firms in the world including as a partner at Spencer Stuart until late 2017 when she decided to openherownfirm.