Director of Digital Media

Schurz Communications is looking for a dynamic business-development specialist who will help the company develop, organize, grow and manage its digital operations across its newspaper, radio, television and cable properties. We seek someone qualified to accelerate the development of a multimillion-dollar business unit and manage a team of sales, content and technology professionals who are working together to achieve exponential audience and revenue growth. We seek someone who is closely attuned to customers and who can build and successfully execute a strategy that innovatively meets their needs. We seek someone who can bridge the gap between traditional media and new digital media and between emerging technologies and consumer behaviors. We seek the individual who can help us better execute today and be a visionary to help us see what is coming tomorrow.

The successful candidate will have:
• Experience managing Web operations with a track record of success in audience and/or revenue growth
• Executive-level experience or desire to attain it
• Fluency in Internet lingo
• Ability to manage a variety of very capable individuals – and win their respect.
• Ability to work in a team environment and influence others without relying on the power of the position
• Desire to work with traditional media companies and actively engage with local publishers and general managers and corporate staff
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills
• Demonstrated management and diplomatic talents
• Passion about serving consumers and customers
• Ability to manage a P&L statement – with emphasis on the “P”

Schurz Communications, Inc. (SCI) is a diversified privately-owned, nationwide communication company with properties in thirteen states. SCI publishes twelve daily, seven weekly newspapers and shopping guides in medium and small markets. It also has eleven television stations, owns thirteen radio stations and operates three others, two cable companies, a phone directory and a printing company. The company also has numerous digital operations related to its traditional media companies; more information is available at www.schurz.com.

The Director of Digital Media will be located at the corporate headquarters in South Bend, Indiana. The Director of Digital Media will report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer and will work closely with and be a member of the senior management team. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and contain a mix of salary and bonuses based on operational and financial performance.

Key Competencies:

• Think strategically without losing sight of practical considerations.
• Reduce complex issues to actionable terms and communicate the issues clearly
• Seek out and maximize new digital media opportunities within our markets.
• Create an effective process to develop and assess new revenue ideas for the SCI properties. Able to create and modify revenue models, including accounting and financial models, for individual location’s needs.
• Oversee efforts to consistently optimize the audiences on multiple platforms.
• Project management skills, including organization, execution, and timely completion in both assisting local properties in local digital initiatives and identifying and developing digital products applicable to multiple markets
• Results-oriented
• Lead and manage the corporate digital media team
• Communicate with and motivate the broader organization
• Utilize problem-solving skills in order to develop alternative strategies for various markets.
• Collect, analyze and research data.
• Help set standards and provide solutions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Able to build and lead a staff in growing a business.
• Deep knowledge and experience in digital media and consumer usage of digital media.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy in monitoring activities and making recommendations for improvements. Clearly conveys objectives, expectations and deadlines. Able to educate local property managers about digital media.
• Consistently keeps commitments and practices mutual accountability
• Able to assess people’s talents and develop needed skills.
• Able to perform market research and evaluate strategies to generate revenue and audience for digital media products. Knowledge of financial modeling and competitive pricing structures, including ability to create revenue models.
• Able to provide on-site expertise for increasing new digital media revenues.
• Able to compile and analyze data and monitor best practices.
• Able to evaluate complex technology and assess potential vendors.
• Able to analyze information and open to new ideas; mentally agile.
• Instill confidence with local management teams and establish credibility in pursuing new digital media opportunities and timely execution across the company.
• Understands the economics of the new media and the major areas of the business.
• Aligns resources to accomplish objectives
• Acts with a sense of urgency.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum of a four-year degree in business or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven track record of successful digital media management and traditional media management. Alternatively, minimum of five years digital media experience. Demonstrated management of profitable operation with responsibility for increasing operating income preferred.
• Minimum of three years managing and leading personnel.
• Comfortable with technology
• Ability to travel extensively to work with SCI locations.

Interested candidates should send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:

President and Chief Executive Officer
Schurz Communications, Inc.
225 W Colfax
South Bend, IN 46626

Schurz Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.