Executive Director

KAWC/KOFA Colorado River Public Media is seeking a collaborative, community‑centered Executive Director to lead the station through its next chapter of growth, sustainability, and public service. As public media navigates a rapidly changing funding and engagement landscape, the Executive Director will play a pivotal role in strengthening community relationships, advancing diversified resource strategies, and stewarding a mission grounded in education, access, and public trust.

The Executive Director provides overall leadership and strategic direction for KAWC/KOFA Colorado River Public Media, serving as the station’s chief executive and public‑facing leader. The role represents KAWC/KOFA within the community and the public media system and has primary responsibility for organizational performance, financial stewardship, and staff leadership.

KAWC/KOFA operates with a small, professional staff supported by student employees and volunteers, requiring a leader who is comfortable working across strategy and execution. The position emphasizes organizational leadership, community engagement, and the development of sustainable, diversified revenue strategies, in collaboration with development staff and key institutional partners.

• Serve as the primary representative and spokesperson for KAWC/KOFA within the community, regionally, and across the public media system.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with community leaders, donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strengthen KAWC’s role as a trusted public service and community institution.

• Provide overall strategic leadership for KAWC/KOFA, including development and implementation of short‑ and long‑range plans that advance the station’s mission and long‑term sustainability.
• Maintain strong communication and alignment with Arizona Western College, ensuring an effective institutional partnership in support of KAWC/KOFA’s goals.

• Lead the development of diversified resource strategies, including philanthropy, grants, underwriting, partnerships, and other revenue opportunities.
• Partner closely with development staff and key institutional partners to strengthen local and regional support.

• Provide executive oversight of operations, including content production, budgeting, planning, compliance, and stewardship of financial and physical resources.
• Supervise and support senior staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and mission‑driven workplace culture.
• Support KAWC’s role as a learning partner of Arizona Western College, including strategic oversight of student training programs and educational partnerships.

This role is well‑suited for a senior leader who:

• Is comfortable representing an organization publicly and building trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Brings experience leading nonprofit, public service, higher education, or mission‑driven organizations.
• Is comfortable making independent, mission‑aligned decisions within a complex governance environment.
• Understands or is eager to learn the values and mission of public media.
• Has experience with fundraising, partnerships, or resource development.
• Leads with sound judgment, collaboration, and a steady hand in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.

Prior public media experience is welcome but not required.

Please submit a resume and cover letter indicating why this position might be a good fit to Alice Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE, Partner, Goal Busters Consulting at