Radio station managers oversee programming.
Radio station managers are also known as program directors. As the title implies, their duties include overseeing most functions of a radio station that involve its programming. Generally the duties of a station manager or program director are similar, if not the same, at commercial, college and public stations.
History
As radio station ownership underwent intense consolidation in the 1990s and early 2000s, jobs consolidated as well. For example, at commercial radio stations, station managers and program directors were separate jobs in some cases. As consolidation took hold, this became little more than an anomaly with both hats being worn by the same person.
Programming
A station manager oversees the station's programming. At a music station, this includes working with the music director (if there is one, as often the station manager doubles--or triples--as one) to determine the songs that a station will play. On both music and talk stations, the manager works with on-air talent to be certain that their activities contribute to the desired sound and tone of the station.
Promotions
Station managers work closely with a radio station's promotions department to devise and execute station events and remote broadcasts.
Sales
While station managers do not directly oversee the sales department (the higher-up "general manager" does), they work closely with sales in an effort to maximize the station's profits.
Media and Public Relations
A station manager is often the first person to deal with the community or other media outlets when her station becomes the news. For example, if an on-air personality does something controversial or noteworthy, the station manager often promotes or makes statement about it. The station manager will work closely with outside groups to fulfill a station's commitment to community service and the public interest.
Day-to-Day Operations
Radio station managers oversee a station's "day-to-day operations." This is purposely vague. In essence, if something comes up at a radio station and nobody has been previously assigned to that duty, it falls into the program director's lap.
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