Manager, News and Affairs WDET

Company Description

WDET 101.9 FM is Detroit’s flagship NPR station, reaching over 200,000 listeners weekly through broadcast and digital platforms. As a non-profit public media organization and community service of Wayne State University, WDET is committed to public service journalism and community engagement. The station’s mission is to serve an engaged, diverse, and curious audience with trusted news, inclusive conversations, and cultural experiences.

Team members collaborate to empower the Detroit community and surrounding region with meaningful, fact-based storytelling and dialogue.

The Manager, News and Current Affairs is a full-time, on-site role based in Detroit, MI responsible for the editorial leadership, strategic direction and daily operations of WDET's News and Current Affairs department.

Reporting to the Program Director, this position leads an integrated newsroom that produces journalism and conversations across broadcast, digital, podcasts, video, photography and social platforms. The Manager oversees WDET's flagship daily current affairs program, coaches reporters, editors and interns, develops editorial strategy, and builds the systems and culture necessary to deliver impactful public service journalism.

The successful candidate understands that local journalism today is measured not simply by the stories we produce, but by the value those stories create for our communities. They recognize that audiences consume journalism across many platforms and are committed to meeting people where they are while upholding the highest standards of editorial excellence.

This leader is a coach, collaborator and change agent who combines exceptional news judgment with strong organizational leadership, data-informed decision making and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Lead daily editorial planning and newsroom operations. Set coverage priorities that reflect WDET ‘s public service mission.
• Provide editorial oversight and leadership for WDET’s daily current affairs program.
• Reviewing and editing content for accuracy, fairness, clarity and impact.
• Work closely with digital and production teams to ensure news and current affairs content is developed intentionally for each platform.
• Liaise with NPR, MPRN, and other news and programming partners as required.
• Conceive and develop special coverage for elections, major events, etc.
• Work closely with membership and events teams to develop fundraising strategies that help cultivate and engage members.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Media Studies, Broadcasting, Digital Media, Political Science, Public Policy, English, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

• Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years experience)
• Experience working in a National Public Radio (NPR) member station or public media organization is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience managing news and current affairs programming, podcast production, digital journalism, audience engagement, video storytelling, elections coverage, special programming, breaking news, and enterprise investigative or accountability reporting.
• Experience using analytics platforms to evaluate editorial performance and inform coverage priorities.

• Deep understanding of journalism ethics and editorial independence, including familiarity with NPR's editorial standards and ethics framework.
• Advanced editing and coaching skills across audio, digital and multimedia journalism.
• Understanding of audience development, analytics and performance measurement.
• Knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), digital publishing workflows and audience engagement strategies.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across editorial, digital, production, marketing and membership teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Ability to create clear newsroom systems, expectations and accountability.
• Demonstrated experience with community-focused and responsive journalism.