Station Management

Station Managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of Radio stations - leading the management team to ensure they meet the key objectives of the station in terms of output, audience, or revenue.

In Commercial radio the job title Station Director may also be used in reference to the manager of a local or national station. In some organisations a Regional Director may have responsibility for more than one station. Most stations also have a Programme Controller (link) or Programme Director.

In the BBC the job title Editor, Local Radio is used for local Station Managers who may be supported by Assistant Editors. The BBC's UK wide Radio networks are led by a Controller supported by a sizeable management team.

For the purposes of this job profile, the title Station Manager is used throughout, and the focus of the job description is that most relevant to local radio. The specific responsibilities of a Radio Station Manager vary between different broadcast organisations and between stations, depending on how the station is funded, the size of the organisation to which it belongs, and the division of responsibilities within a station management team. Station Managers are based throughout the UK.

What is the job?
Whether Station Managers run music or speech-based stations, they are expected to have a clear understanding of the purpose and format of their station, and the characteristics of their target audience.
They help to determine the objectives of their station, and are then expected to communicate these objectives effectively to all staff, providing leadership and motivation to ensure they are met.
Station Managers ensure the smooth running of their station, leading the management team and co-ordinating the activities of all the disciplines within the station, including the development of multi-platform content.

They must ensure their station's compliance with laws, regulations and industry codes governing Radio broadcasting, and to see that complaints are dealt with swiftly.
Typical Career Routes
Station Managers in Commercial Radio often have a background in sales, having gained experience in Radio Sales over number of years - probably with a number of different stations and organisations. Others may progress through the Programming route, but they are always expected to have a thorough understanding of the commercial side of the business.

Training and qualifications
Most Station Managers acquire some of their management skills on-the-job in previous roles, managing smaller programme or sales teams, overseeing projects, or standing in for senior colleagues. Some may have been recognised as having management potential in previous roles and offered the opportunity of some management training by their employer - or been supported to undertake a relevant qualification.