We're hiring a General Manager for our radio station

General Manager

WMMT/Appalshop, Inc.

Who We Are:

Founded in 1969, Appalshop is an organization of storytellers in the coalfields of Eastern Kentucky who uplift Appalachian voices by offering them space to tell their own stories in their own words through documentary film, community radio, a record label, youth programs, theater, and community development. Appalshop is an equal opportunity employer, and we value a diverse workforce. Our employment policies and practices are applicable to all employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

WMMT 88.7FM is Appalshop’s community radio station, founded in 1985. Known as “possum radio,” WMMT has a listening radius in five Appalachian states, and our programming is as diverse as our listenership. We train local volunteer DJs, offer public affairs programming from Appalachians through our show Mountain Talk, and provide opportunities for Restorative Radio through our show Calls From Home.

Who You Are:

We’re looking for an organized, experienced General Manager who lives near Whitesburg, Kentucky, or is willing to relocate. If you believe in the power of a non-commercial community radio station for rural communities, you are a good candidate for this position. 

The General Manager is responsible for managing WMMT staff, is someone who deeply understands the history and mission of community radio, and reflects this mission within Appalshop’s local, regional, and national audience. This multifaceted position also involves working closely with the position supervisor (Director of Artistic Programs), a full roster of volunteers, and a community advisory board.  

The WMMT General Manager is responsible for:

• Ensuring the overall health and vision of Appalshop’s community radio station
• Cultivating relationships with donors, listeners, and community partners
• Ensuring that WMMT is operating legally per the FCC rules and regulations
• Working collaboratively across Appalshop by connecting radio capabilities to Appalshop needs (such as PSAs)
• Leading long-range strategic planning optimizing financial growth and sustaining community relationships
• Maintaining daily operations for WMMT
• Leading fundraising efforts
• Staying up to date on latest industry trends

What You’ll Do at Appalshop:

The WMMT General Manager undertakes a set of responsibilities (listed below) that enables the WMMT to enhance audience reach and engagement, highlighting the station’s mission and impact. Concretely, we foresee the General Manager as someone who has a good understanding of community radio’s role in the community, who is a critical thinker and problem solver, and who is highly organized. 

• Administration:
  • Coordinate all aspects of collaboration with Appalshop and Appalshop’s policy adherence
  • File FCC paperwork
  • Onboarding WMMT staff members and volunteers
  • Supervise WMMT staff members and volunteers
• Government Relations:
  • Ensure compliance in regards to all FCC and CPB matters, including grants, legal compliance
  • Maintain the Public File on-site
  • Work with lawyer on retainer as needed. 
• Fundraising: 
  • Coordinate overall fundraising efforts
  • Coordinate two annual on-air fund drives
  • Write grants and subsequent reports
  • Cultivate individual donors 
• Community Relations & Relationship Building:
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson for WMMT in media, public functions, and fundraising efforts
  • Coordinate and maintain the CPB-mandated Community Advisory Board 
• General Responsibilities:
  • Articulate the station’s mission locally and nationally
  • Troubleshoot technical issues
  • Support the Program Coordinator with volunteers and developing programming
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

What Skills and Experience You Must Have:

• Broadcast Operations Oversight: Experience managing the technical, legal, and scheduling aspects of a non-commercial or community radio station, including FCC compliance.
• Leadership & Supervision: Demonstrated success in supervising staff, interns, and volunteers in a media, nonprofit, or community-focused setting.
• Strategic Planning & Visioning: Experience guiding a media outlet through long-term planning, programming direction, and mission-aligned growth.
• Community Engagement: Proven ability to build relationships with local communities, especially in rural or underrepresented regions, and prioritize local voices in programming.
• Budget & Financial Oversight: Competency in managing organizational or departmental budgets, financial reporting, and resource allocation.
• Multimedia & Digital Strategy: Familiarity with digital broadcasting, podcasting, streaming, and social media as tools for audience expansion and content distribution.
• Policy & Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of FCC rules and public file requirements, and ability to ensure ongoing legal compliance.

What Would be Nice to Have (but not required):

• Experience securing and managing funding through grants, underwriting, and donor campaigns, particularly within nonprofit or public media contexts.
• Ability to lead through challenges, such as staffing transitions, funding uncertainty, or technical emergencies, with calmness and transparency.
• An understanding of the Appalachian region and culture.

Pay and Benefits:

This role’s starting salary is $52,000-$57,000, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time salaried position with full benefits including 100% employer-paid health insurance, generous retirement and life insurance benefits package. Appalshop has a 32-hour workweek with Fridays as flex days. However, most administrative positions, including WMMT's General Manager, often require working more than 32 hours a week and may not adhere to a Monday-Thursday schedule. We intend to keep this position in line with the 32-hour-a-week policy through flexible scheduling, accountability, and clear communication.   

Location: 

Appalshop’s main offices are located in Jenkins, KY. WMMT’s studio is in downtown Whitesburg, KY. This role is in-person.

To apply for this position: 

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references to [email protected] with the subject line: WMMT General Manager - Application. The review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the job is filled. Only finalists will be contacted.