General Manager, KOMU-TV

TV Station

The University of Missouri School of Journalism seeks an experienced, forward-looking leader to serve as General Manager of KOMU-TV, a distinctive role at the intersection of public service, commercial success, and hands-on journalism education. KOMU 8 is a full-powered NBC and CW affiliate owned by the University of Missouri, serving the Columbia–Jefferson City DMA.

For more than 70 years, KOMU 8 has launched graduates of the nation’s most renowned journalism program into professional careers while competing successfully for ratings and revenue leadership. The station is part of the Missouri News Network, a collaborative group of community-facing journalism outlets that includes The Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine, KBIA-FM (NPR), The Boone County Journal, and Missouri Business Alert. Together, these outlets cover mid-Missouri across platforms while maintaining strong individual brands.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected NBC affiliated television station while shaping the future of local journalism and media education. The General Manager is responsible for creating an effective, professional working environment for staff, faculty, and students, and for setting a clear strategy for growth amid rapid change in journalism, technology, audience behavior, and revenue models. At its core, the role balances three priorities: serving mid-Missouri viewers and communities, growing KOMU’s commercial viability, and advancing the educational mission of the Missouri School of Journalism. The successful candidate will bring strong communication skills, a collaborative leadership style, and an eagerness to innovate, experiment, and adapt.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Lead all station departments, including news, sales, finance, marketing, digital, community engagement, and engineering
• Direct strategic planning, budgeting, and day-to-day operational execution
• Strengthen workflows, systems, and internal communications to position the station for long-term success
• Guide editorial and operational strategy while supporting KOMU’s role as a premier hands-on teaching laboratory
• Supervise newsroom operations in partnership with managers who hold faculty appointments and share responsibility for teaching and daily station operations
• Champion KOMU’s role in the School’s journalism training enterprise and help create meaningful learning opportunities for students
• Advance audience growth, revenue performance, brand strength, and product development across linear and digital platforms
• Partner with leaders across the University of Missouri’s media properties, including the Missouri News Network, to identify synergies, strengthen collaboration, and pursue new opportunities
• Serve as a visible, engaged leader on campus and in mid-Missouri, reinforcing KOMU’s market leadership and public-service mission

Reporting Relationship

The General Manager reports directly to the Dean of the Missouri School of Journalism and works closely with University leadership and affiliated media partners across the Missouri News Network.

Community and Campus Engagement

This role offers the opportunity to become an important civic and campus leader. The General Manager is expected to maintain an active presence in Columbia, Jefferson City, and surrounding communities, support civic initiatives, and strengthen KOMU’s regional impact. Meaningful engagement with University life—including academic initiatives, student activities, and collegiate athletics—is also an important part of the position.

The General Manager typically works M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a 24/7 operation, and the work will vary depending on the needs of the station.

Bachelor's degree in a relevant area or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 8 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

• At least five years of senior level management experience at a commercial television station
• Significant experience in newsroom leadership and editorial decision making
• Demonstrated responsibility for station operations, including financial and technical oversight
• A strong track record in personnel development and organizational leadership
• Expertise in audience research and measurement across platforms
• A strong understanding of broadcast and digital sales, budgeting, branding, and business development
• Experience leading product development in both linear and digital environments
• The ability to lead effectively in a setting that blends professional practice with academic mission
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field

Salary Range: $140,000-$185,000Annually

Grade: GGS 015

University Title: SENIOR DIRECTOR BROADCAST OPERATIONS

Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

• Letter of application explaining their fit for the position and their vision for the role
• Resume
• References list (4-6)

The University of Missouri is the flagship campus of the UM System. Mizzou is an R1 research university, a member of the Association of American Universities, and a proud member of the Southeastern Conference. More than 30,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries attend Mizzou. As one of the nation’s leading land-grant universities, Mizzou is committed to sharing knowledge and service with Missourians and beyond. The Missouri School of Journalism advances that mission by sharing content from its community-facing news outlets with more than 100 news organizations across the state.

Founded in 1908, the Missouri School of Journalism offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism and strategic communication. The School is home to 10 endowed chairs and three centers and institutes, including the Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI), the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism, the McDougall Center for Photojournalism Studies, and the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

The Missouri School of Journalism’s graduate programs are consistently recognized nationally for research publications and scholarly contributions. The School’s research strengths include media history, strategic communication, media sociology, and media law, ethics, and policy.

Through its long history of excellence in journalism education, the School has built a global alumni network that includes leaders at major news organizations as well as journalists serving local communities across the country. Today, the School’s home community includes approximately 70 faculty, 1,700 undergraduate students, and 150 graduate students from around the world.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.