Station manager

Station managers are responsible for running the radio station and leading the managment team to make sure they meat the objectives of the station.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. In commercial radio the station managers focuses on sales, maximising the profit from the station and managing its budget and resources. Where as In BBC Local Radio, Station Managers or Editors have editorial responsibility for all output, as well as managing the station's finances, but they are supported in this by Assistant Editors.

Other roles of a station manager are attracting and retaining employees with a talent for Radio, establishing the station's culture, and managing staff welfare and morale. They must ensure their station's compliance with laws, regulations and industry codes governing Radio broadcasting.

Station managers that work in commercial radio useally have a background in sales, having gained experience in radio sales over a number of years and at different radio stations. In BBC Local Radio, Station Managers are likely to be programme makers, and are usually Broadcast Journalists. They are likely to have gained their experience working for a number of local Radio stations throughout the UK. Some Station Managers may have worked for BBC Network Radio or News. Once you have become a station mananger career progession useally devoleps onto larger radio stations or even TV presenters.

Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Station Managers need the following:

• ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate them
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
• business and finance skills
• sound editorial judgement
• confidence and decisiveness
• the capacity to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines
• determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
• a facility for managing creative teams, and encouraging acceptable creative risk taking
• ability to coach, and to develop talent in others
• ability to give and receive (accept?) feedback, and manage performance
• ability to deal effectively with team members of differing temperaments and morale
• ability to encourage frank and constructive reviews of output
• self-motivation and adaptability
• a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect Radio production
• knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire, the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures and a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills

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. Once they have reached the station mananger post they are expected to keep developing there skills.

broadcast assistant

Broadcast Assistants work in both speech-based and music Radio, offering practical support to both Producers and Presenters. They undertake a wide range of tasks to ensure the radio runs smoothly. This is considered the entry level to most jobs in the radio sector and is where you gain vital training for jobs further up in radio. The broadcast assistants job varies between music and speech radio. However all broadcast assistants need to understand the purpose of there radio station, and understand the target audience. They must be able to access research and make sure it is accurate. They are expected to be able to log calls for competitions and look after guests, Booking resources and getting the broadcast rights for filming on location. They must now how to obtain materiel legally and keeping inside the law.

Broadcast assistants may also have the opportunity contribute to show ideas and record basic interviews, and even edit audio materiel using computer software.

A broadcast assistant is  basically the first step into radio production and so jobs are highly sought after. The best way to get a job in this field is to build a relationship with a radio station through volunteer work over a period of time. For graduates, there are two recognised educational paths into Radio production: an undergraduate degree in Radio or Media Production; or a first degree in any subject, followed by a post-graduate Diploma or MA in Radio Production. Given the competition for jobs in Radio, many Broadcast Assistants are graduates, and some even post-graduates. No matter what qualifcation you may have, the employer will always want to see an intrest in radio.

Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Broadcast Assistants need the following:

• strong organisational skills
• accuracy and attention to detail
• creative thinking and problem solving
• knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
• the confidence and tenacity to pursue information and overcome obstacles
• ability to work independently but also as part of a team
• self-motivation and adaptability
• ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines
• determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
• empathy and patience, the ability to build rapport and draw information from people
• a good knowledge of subjects relevant to the Radio genre in which they wish to work
• a basic understanding of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect Radio production
• knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire, the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
• a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
• ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment, and to operate different radio studios
• ability to conduct effective internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites

Trainee broadcast assistants will earn in the region of £13,000 a year, with salaries potentially rising to £17,000 with a year or two of experience. Experienced BAs can earn up to £25,000 a year.

progamme controller

Programme controllers are also known as programme directors, there role is to lead commercial radio stations to make sure that they create programming which meets both the creative and commercial needs of stations. In the BBC the job would be referd to as an assistant editor in local radios. The role of a programme editor can differ from station to station depending on the size of the organisation.

Programme controllers must have a good understanding of the purpose and format of the station they are working for and who its target audience is. There main role is to plan programming to meet the needs of the audience and oversee the work of the programming teams. They also play the main role when it comes to recruitment, training and general management of all staff. They must also contribute to the development of multiplatform content, coach programme presenters and attract and retain audiences.

Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Programme Controllers need the following:

• ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate them
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
• sound editorial judgement
• business and finance skills
• confidence and decisiveness
• the capacity to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines
• determination, diplomacy, and excellent interpersonal skills
• a facility for managing creative teams, and encouraging acceptable creative risk taking
• ability to coach, and to develop talent in others
• ability to give and accept feedback, and manage performance
• ability to deal effectively with team members of differing temperaments and morale
• ability to encourage frank and constructive reviews of output
• self-motivation and adaptability
• a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect Radio production
• knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire, the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
• a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills

Programme controllers must have experience in programming over a number of years and with a mixture of radio stations and organisations, and have a good understanding of the commercial side of business.

Programme controllers gain most of the experience on the job, from managing smaller programme teams to standing in for senior colleagues. Once in the post the programme controller is expected to carry on improving there skills in the role. Management qualifications are a good help start to get the promotion to programme controller.

commerials producer

A commercials producers job in radio is to create promotions and advertise the radio station, in order to market or sell the station. When the commercial producer works on a commercial radio station they may work for a just one station or as a regional or national team, but if working on a smaller station they may just have to advertise for one radio presenter on the station. Even the BBC have commercials producers even though there is no advertisisng, they are responsible for each stations programmes and productions.

A commercials producer has a very wide job description and must be able to do a variety of jobs including, interpreting client briefs to create effective radio advertising, generate and pitch ideas and write scripts or work with the writers. They must also be able to produce trailers to promote sponsored events from clients. they must also produce trailers to promote the station as well. Commercials producers should use there knowledge of their radio station brand and there types of listeners to create the best style of advertising. They must be able know how to get the necessary licence or clearances are obtained when they are sourcing music or audio. And also understand and comply with the media law, regulation and industry code. They must also have good knowledge and understanding of how to operate radio stations both in studio and on location and be able to use correct audio editing software.

There is no particular route into getting into this role although most have a background in radio or advertising, a degree is not essential to get into this job although it would help to have a degree in advertising or business would help. Although qualifications do not always matter the employer always wants to see experience and interest in the role especially gained from community, student or hospital radio.

Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Commercials Producers need the following:

• the ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate them
• excellent writing and story-telling skills which they can adapt for different audiences and platforms
• knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
• a strong interest in advertising, and a good understanding of how radio and other relevant platforms can be used to promote and sell goods and services
• confidence to interpret a brief, and to pitch ideas to clients
• ability to work independently, but also as part of a team
• self-motivation and adaptability
• ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly and meet tight deadlines
• determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
• empathy and patience, the ability to build rapport and draw information from people
• a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulations as they affect radio production and advertising
• knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
• a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
• the ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment, and to operate different radio studios
• the ability to conduct effective Internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites

http://www.creativeskillset.org/radio/careers/jobs/article_7768_1.asp

radio presenter

Radio presenters have an important role in any radio station as they are the voice of it and often the presenter is one of the main reasons for people listening to a particular radio station or show. Presenters are responsible for creating the feel of the radio station and connecting with the audience. Presenters are mainly based in offices and work in small teams, although sometimes they can work on locations outside of the office. Presenters that work in music radio can work for a variety of stations and will cater for all styles of music tastes, Where as in speech radio the presenter will do documentaries, music, talk shows and more. The presenter is expected to know about his target audience on the station and there needs.

When employees are looking for presenters they always look for experience in working on radio before, they gain this often by starting at the bottom at a community or hospital radio just helping out when they can and pursue every opportunity they can to get to be a presenter. With graduate recruits employees would prefer to see a degree based on the style of show or station they would be on. Once the presenters have the job the employers offer them training to improve there skills and keep them up to date with technology. Some colleges also offer short courses for radio hosts.There are also radio academy's which are Charity's set up to provide classes in radio broadcasting.

Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Presenters need the following:

• excellent presentation and performance skills
• ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate them
• an understanding of how to use the voice effectively for radio
• ability to build credibility and rapport by communicating knowledgeably and engagingly with audiences
• determination and tenacity
• excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to draw information from people
• knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
• a comprehensive knowledge of subjects relevant to the Radio genre in which they wish to work
• ability to work independently but also as part of a team
• self-motivation and adaptability
• ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines
• knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect Radio production
• knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire, the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
• a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
• ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment and to operate different radio studios
• ability to present while operating studio controls and co-ordinating a range of simultaneous technical activities
• ability to conduct effective Internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites

radio presenter can earn anything from about 20k a year to 50k a year depending on how popular the presenters show is, although on the BBC  presenters can earn up to 600k a year.

reporter

A reporter has an important role in the radio, there job is to find and tell the current news stories for the organisation they work for. They can work for a small radio station or be based national. The places in which the reporter can work can vary, from working in an office news room to being outside reporting live events. The types of news a reporter can cover is diverse ranging from covering the traffic in a local area to the latest news on Afghanistan. They must also have a good idea about how to use both indoor and outdoor recording kits.

Reporters also need good knowledge of the media laws and regulations and research the news story's they are reporting to make sure all the information is correct, using everything from the Internet to a library. when conducting interviews questions are expected to be thought of in advance. Although as a reporter you are given assignments you are also expected to generate ideas and story's to report.

As with most jobs in radio degrees are not always essential although they do help, the degree is not always expected to be in a media related subject, and a news reported subjects such as law, politics or business are useful, a degree in journalism would increase your chance of getting a job in that area. there are also trainee schemes that some of the bigger businesses run, although experience is required of at least 2years to have the highest chance of being chosen and have a journalism qualification.

Essential Knowledge & Skills
Reporters need the following:

• a sense of what makes a good news story
• ability to generate original ideas and to think creatively about how to communicate them
• excellent writing and story-telling skills which they can adapt for different audiences and platforms
• an understanding of how to use their voice to communicate effectively with listeners
• knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles and audience demographics
• curiosity and inquisitiveness, a willingness to ask questions but also to listen
• the confidence and tenacity to pursue information, overcome obstacles and pitch ideas to senior colleagues
• self-motivation and adaptability
• ability to work independently but also as part of a team
• ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly and meet tight deadlines
• ability to cope with the demands of live reporting and interviewing
• determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
• empathy and patience, the ability to build rapport and draw information from people
• ability to maintain objectivity in order to be fair and balanced in the treatment of stories
• an interest in news and current affairs and good general knowledge
• a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect radio and the practice of journalism
• knowledge of when it is necessary and how to acquire the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
• knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
• a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
• the ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment and to operate different radio studios
• ability to conduct effective internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites

http://www.creativeskillset.org/radio/careers/jobs/article_7761_1.asp