What Do Program Directors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Program Directors direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news. They also plan and schedule programming and event coverage, based on broadcast length, time availability, and other factors, such as community needs, ratings data, and viewer demographics.

Other tasks include:

• Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
• Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
• Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
• Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
• Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.

We asked Program Directors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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68% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Program Directors monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality. They coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.

A typical day for a Program Director will also include:

• Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
• Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
• Plan and schedule programming and event coverage, based on broadcast length, time availability, and other factors, such as community needs, ratings data, and viewer demographics.
• Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.

We asked some Program Directors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	78% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	80% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	81% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	7% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	60% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Program Directors also direct setup of remote facilities and install or cancel programs at remote stations. They may also perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Program Directors Develop budgets for programming and broadcasting activities and monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within budgetary limits. They might also Conduct interviews for broadcasts.

In addition, they Participate in the planning and execution of fundraising activities.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Select, acquire, and maintain programs, music, films, and other needed materials and obtain legal clearances for their use as necessary.

To some Program Directors, it is also their responsibility to Develop promotions for current programs and specials.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Program Director, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm

http://www.dga.org/

http://www.producersguild.org/

http://nast.arts-accredit.org/