The Director of Unified Media oversees the editorially and artistically independent student media at the College of Communication, Information and Media, leading the development of new media content and relationships. They manage the day-to-day operations of the Unified Media Lab, a cutting-edge facility fostering innovative journalism education and student media experiences. This role collaborates with faculty to integrate industry trends into the lab, providing essential career preparation for journalism and media students, while also fulfilling teaching or professional practice duties. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Media, this position plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of media education at Ball State University.

At Ball State University, inclusiveness is one of the enduring values and informs all of our work. We define 'inclusiveness' as a commitment 'to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.' As such, this value incorporates a commitment to inclusive excellence and freedom of expression.

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The Director of Unified Media, a professional 12-month position, advises the editorially and artistically independent student media supported by the College of Communication, Information and Media and leads in the development of new media content, including products and content relationships. This position will practice the scholarship of application and engagement through a combination of activities, including practice, teaching, and consulting.

The Director manages space and oversees the day-to-day operations of student-run media within the Unified Media Lab. Opened in 2014, the $4-million UML facility is nationally redefining journalism education and student media experiences through its innovative open-concept, shared workspace, state-of-the-art technology, and cross-platform multimedia mission. The UML is home to over 100 students working with Ball State University's independent student media including the Ball State Daily News (print and online newspaper), Ball Bearings (print and online magazine), NewsLink Indiana (television newscast), and Byte (pop culture online magazine), as well as the future home for newly developing experimental media content and innovations in media delivery. The unified form of the UML space guides its unified student-media experience mission and cross-platform multimedia function.

The Director, in collaboration with faculty and other advisers, identifies trends in media industries and incorporates them into the Unified Media Lab to promote must-have career preparation experiences for journalism and media students. This position is available to advise student media organizations or assist student media advisors. The position also is responsible for a teaching or professional practice equivalent to 9 credits per year. This position reports to the Assistant Dean of Media in CCIM.

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university by date of appointment.

At least five years of experience in a professional newsroom with demonstrated leadership; or five years of experience working in either news production professionally or as a student media advisor.

Demonstrated ability to build consensus and work collaboratively with team members and colleagues.

At least three years of university-level multimedia student media management experience; 10 years or more experience in a professional newsroom.

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Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master's, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

Advise award-winning student-led media organizations within UML, ensuring students have editorial freedom, meet production goals and promoting exceptional journalism. Recruit and train students to be journalists and editorial leaders. Promote an outstanding student media experience, evidenced by exceptional, creditable, and responsible journalism, which enhance the reputation and professional potential of CCIM alumni. Leads the collaborative establishment of a Student Media Publications advisory board with the Assistant Dean, chairs and directors of the College of Communication, Information, and Media. The board should include industry representation, student media alumni, as well as the college and department leadership.

Collaborate with McKinley Avenue Agency (MAA) in day-to-day business interactions on behalf of student-led media within the Unified Media Lab (UML). Student media within the UML offer publications and productions, which represent media vehicles for delivery of advertising audiences to prospective clients. The MAA coordinates advertising sales on behalf of UML media. The director of UML will serve as a professional liaison with the MAA to develop marketable media vehicles and facilitate the production of ads sold within UML media, according to advertising agreement terms. Actively partners with MAA to ensure adequate funding is available to deliver an excellent experience for UML students.

Lead students in shaping the UML product line to develop innovative, entrepreneurial experiences, products, and services for audiences on campus and in the greater Muncie communities and beyond. The director will utilize media expertise and vision in leading students' pursuit of new opportunities for student media engagement with the community. Under the guidance of the director, students will brainstorm and develop new content ideas to be delivered via innovative media channels like AR/VR, AI or newer technology that serve the greater Muncie community. Collaborates with Ball State Public Media to share UML content across all platforms as appropriate, and may also collaborate on joint projects (i.e.- (2023), which provided a cross-platform journalistic examination of the needs and desires of immigrants and refugees who choose to move to the Midwest to begin new lives.)

Collaborate across the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) and the university with faculty and staff to deliver the optimal student media experience. The director's engagement and communication with a broad range of faculty and staff experts in CCIM and at BSU will generate increased cross-platform, curricular, and extra-curricular cooperation, which will advance the contemporary relevance of student media experiences in the UML and better prepare graduates for their future careers.

Develop and track metrics such as student engagement with student media and job placement rates. Keep an updated roster of student employees/positions for scholarship criteria purposes and track student awards for annual submission to SJSC, Guide in the development of data-driven content strategies. Assess UML product engagement/readership. Track placement of graduates in media careers. Utilizing effective assessment to measure the goals of ULM, the director will use results to identify and capitalize on opportunities for improvement and points of pride to create a culture of excellence.

Teach equivalent of 9 credit hours annually, in media, journalism, or related subject areas or equivalent time spent in application or management professional practice.

Establish Unified Media Lab Advisers Council made up the Director of Unified Media and student media advisers. The director will lead in specifying the role and functions of this council. The director will provide visionary leadership in directing council meetings for the general purpose of generating productive cooperation and communication among independent student media advisors in the UML. The council's collaborative mission will enhance cross-platform integration of professional media practices in the UML and positive outcomes in the student media experience.

Recommend financial budgets for student-led media in the Unified Media Lab. The manager will liaise with the assistant dean and representative from McKinley Avenue Agency to develop an annual operating budget from a student media auxiliary account. The director will recommend and internally manage funds for student wages and student development/travel/competition. The manager's financial management will foster mission sustainability and financial self-sufficiency in student media, which supports the mission of the university, college, and departments in producing "real-world ready" media graduates

Lead the collaborative establishment of a Student Media Publications advisory board with the Dean, chairs and directors of the College of Communication, Information, and Media. The board should include industry representation, student media alumni, as well as the college and department leadership. The manager will lead in defining the role and functions of the advisory board including the establishment of best-practices according to peer-institutions models and protocol. The general purpose of the board will be to advise independent student media in the pursuit of enhanced professional practices and student experience/learning outcomes.

Identify and nurture funding partnerships within the communications industry, among nonprofits, foundations and private resources. Financial resources are required to sustain student media opportunities. To promote economic sustainability and future financial self-sufficiency, the manager will pursue innovative revenue streams through external partnerships and grants. Funds developed through such partnerships and grants will be directed to the student media auxiliary account, which will increase student media opportunities. The department(s) benefit from financially self-sufficient, outstanding student media opportunities, which produce "real-world ready" media graduates.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University's , including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment 'to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.'