In commercial radio the title station director may be used in reference to the manager of a local or national station. However the BBC's uk wide radio networks are led by a controller supported by a size able management team.
The responsibilities of the station manager very between different broadcasting organisations and between the different stations. It also depends on how the radio station is funded, the size of the organisation to which it belongs to and the division of the responsibilities within a station management team. All station managers are based throughout the UK.
Station managers are expected to have a clear understanding of the purpose and format of their station what ever they run such as music or speech based stations, they also need to know the characteristics of their target audience.They also help to determine the objectives of their station, and are expected to make these objectives very clear to their staff providing leadership and motivation to ensure that they are me to a high quality. Station managers have may roles another one of them being making sure the radio stations running smoothly, leading the management team and co-ordinating the activities of all the people within the station which includes the development of multi-platform content.
However in commercial radio, the station manager focuses on sales by maximising revenue for the station and managing budget and resources.
In BBC local radio stations managers or editors have editorial responsibility for all the output and at the same time managing the stations finances, while being supported by Assistant Editor.
Station managers also have the job of attracting and retaining employees with a talent for radio, establishing that stations culture and managing staff and welfare and morale. They are responsible for communications with the staff and other colleagues where ever they are in their organisation. They're also expected to represent the station externally at a local level, and help build relationships within the community they serve. They also must ensure their stations compliance with laws, regulations and industry codes governing radio broadcasting and to see that complaints are dealt with.
The job of a station manager is very demanding and can involve working long and unpredictable hours. It can also involve alot of travelling especially for the station managers who are part of a larger and geographically diverse organisations.
To become a station manager you need to require some management skills in their previous job roles, by managing a smaller programme or sales team, overseeing projects, or standing in for senior colleagues. Some station manager are spotted by their previous job roles and offered the opportunity of some management training by their employee.
In some other cases individuals may have pursued professions development independently by self funding, relevant short courses or management qualifications to improve their chances or promotion. However such qualifications are not essential for the role.
Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Station Managers need the following:
- ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate them
- excellent communication and presentation skills
- knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
- business and finance skills
- sound editorial judgement
- confidence and decisiveness
- the capacity to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines
- determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
- a facility for managing creative teams, and encouraging acceptable creative risk taking
- ability to coach, and to develop talent in others
- ability to give and receive (accept?) feedback, and manage performance
- ability to deal effectively with team members of differing temperaments and morale
- ability to encourage frank and constructive reviews of output
- self-motivation and adaptability
- a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect Radio production
- knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire, the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
- knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures and a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
No comments:
Post a Comment