Senior Business Manager at Chicago Public Media

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Media, Public Broadcasting, Science EducationIndustries

Requirements

Experience managing day-to-day finances and administration for a department
Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and support strategic planning and change management
Knowledge of GBH policies and procedures to advise employees and contractors
Familiarity with grants management, production finance, and financial reporting processes
Participation in GBH-wide process and system projects for business efficiency
Ability to act as point of contact for business needs and collaborate with internal departments (accounting, IT, legal, production finance, HR) and external parties (producers, suppliers, talent)
Hybrid work availability: onsite minimum two days per week (every Tuesday and one other day)

Responsibilities

Advise the Senior Business Associate in negotiating, preparing, and paying union and non-union talent contracts consistent with GBH’s union agreements (WGA, SAG-AFTRA, AFM)
Handle monthly budget tracking, journal entries, payroll, accounts payable processes, project code management, and technology assets/physical plant needs for 30+ employees
Review monthly project expenses, track budgets, and meet with department managers to ensure adherence to grant terms and efficient resource use
Negotiate and approve production budgets, schedules, cashflows, and payment schedules for production agreements as assigned
Review financial reports and detailed production expenses with external producers for cost containment and subcontractor monitoring
Manage milestone approval processes and invoice payments for broadcast and digital subcontracts, track payment schedules, and maintain delivery/approval documentation
Respond to information and documentation requests for Mass Film Tax credits and internal audits

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

financial managementbusiness administrationbudgetingaccountingproject managementadministrative operations

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this position?

The role is hybrid, requiring staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week—every Tuesday and one other day determined by the business unit—with the option to come in additional days or as requested by the manager.

What are the main responsibilities of the Senior Business Manager?

The role involves managing day-to-day finances and administration for NOVA, advising senior leadership, supporting strategic planning and change management, guiding employees and contractors on policies, and contributing to grants management, production finance, and financial reporting.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like at GBH?

GBH emphasizes building community, mentoring and learning from colleagues, and connecting deeply with its mission of enriching lives through educational, inspiring, and entertaining programs that foster citizenship, culture, and diverse perspectives.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

Strong candidates will have expertise in financial management, administration, grants and production finance, and the ability to collaborate across departments like accounting, IT, legal, HR, and external partners while serving as a trusted advisor to leadership.

Chicago Public Media

Broadcast radio and digital streaming services

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media's main product is WBEZ, a flagship station delivering substantive news and insights through broadcast radio, digital streaming, and a newly launched mobile app with groundbreaking rePlayer functionality. The technologies utilized include digital streaming, mobile app development, and on-demand platform features.

Chicago, IllinoisHeadquarters

1990Year Founded

VENTURE_UNKNOWNCompany Stage

Social Impact, Education, EntertainmentIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

6 weeks fully paid family leave

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Risks

Decline in traditional radio listenership may reduce audience engagement and revenue.

Increased competition from digital-native news outlets challenges content production speed.

Dependence on public funding and donations can be unpredictable during economic downturns.

Differentiation

Chicago Public Media acquired the Chicago Sun-Times, forming a large nonprofit news organization.

They partner with local organizations to enhance community engagement and attract diverse audiences.

Their focus on addressing social issues strengthens community ties and public service mission.

Upsides

Podcasting growth offers an opportunity to expand reach and audience engagement.

AI in media can personalize content delivery and improve audience engagement.

Nonprofit news acquisitions can lead to innovative business models and sustainability.

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