Lehigh Valley Public Media’s Ad for New CEO Is Laden With Jargon, But Does Slip in a Little Real Information

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

If you speak jargon, there may be a job at Lehigh Valley Public Media for you.

LVPM, still known to many as Channel 39, needs somebody to run its online media, television and radio operations.

Not surprisingly, the ad for that post is heavy on jargon. For some reason, an entire generation has grown up thinking that organizations communicate via vapid happy talk. LVPM has a history of grandiose and obtuse press releases; this one ranks high among them.

LVPM “is at an exciting inflection point” as it is “launching” the search for a new president and chief executive. It has a “passionate and dedicated staff.”

Have you ever heard somebody describe their staff as passionless and undedicated?

There is so much more … “vibrant, growing” and “dynamic and diverse” and yes the Lehigh Valley has “close proximity” (truly awful writing) to beaches. Perhaps Beltzville counts.

“Close proximity.” Think about that. It says “close nearness.” That’s my favorite kind of nearness, the close kind. Close, and near. Near, and close. It makes me feel quite warm and fuzzy.

This area also has great pierogies, but that is omitted. Sad!

There is some actual information but it comes at the end. The numbers reveal some progress at this place, even though its mission remains a mystery to all.

LVPM once had a staff of about 80, but is down to 46 as of today. According to the ad, there will be a staff of “over 50 full and part-time employees” (more bad language) and an operating budget of $9.5 million, along with an endowment of $75 million.

In fiscal 2023, LVPM found a way to spend $15.15 million for a deficit that year of $8.66 million, meaning a loss of $1,000 per hour. PER HOUR.

I repeat that a lot, but when a little non-profit group manages to spend $1,000 more per hour than it takes in, that’s worth repeating. Repeating in the sense of describing it again, not repeating as in doing it again.

Some may consider my article here to be nitpicking about the language. Fair enough. Mistakes happen and I make them daily, and I send out some tinny sentences, but at least I am not trying to do that.

This advertisement is the epitome of nonsensical writing, and somebody was paid to do this and they worked hard at it.

In this case, that “somebody” appears to be Sally M. Sterling Executive Search, hired by LVPM to find somebody who — perhaps — won’t run an $8 million-plus annual deficit.

Normal people don’t talk this way or write this way, and it’s the jargon and peppy comments that turn a WANT AD into a three-page discourse on …. on something.

What can be gleaned from this pompousity party on paper is that LVPM is probably not going to have as big a staff as it did during its “Year of Spending Recklessly” and it has a budget target.

Here’s a cut-and-paste version of the ad, but for all of its grandeur, see this link:

As Lehigh Valley Public Media (LVPM) approaches its 60th year, the Board of
Directors is launching the search for a new President and CEO. LVPM is at an
exciting inflection point as it charts its future with a passionate and dedicated
staff, a supportive board, and the unique ability in the region to broadcast across
TV, radio, and digital platforms.
The Lehigh Valley is a vibrant, growing area with a dynamic and diverse population
and a high quality of life, including an affordable cost of living, excellent schools,
close proximity to beaches, mountains and major cities, and sporting, arts and
cultural events. This is a compelling opportunity to rebuild and remake LVPM, lead
it into the next phase of becoming a holistic nonprofit media company, and make a
lasting impact in the region and in the public media system, all while living in a
thriving community.
Over the last few months, the interim CEO has led the organization through a
process of aligning the Board and staff to gain consensus around a future state and
strategic direction. The Board now seeks a CEO who will create a roadmap, identify
priorities, spearhead innovation, and deliver measurable outcomes, ensuring
LVPM’s continued relevance in the region and strengthening its community impact
in the long term. In a post-pandemic world, challenges will also bring opportunities
to reimagine LVPM’s role—leveraging modern technologies and emerging media
trends while upholding the organization’s core values of teamwork, honesty, caring,
quality, and fun. This leader will endeavor to continue programming excellence,
lead the development of existing and emerging digital platforms, spearhead robust
fundraising and development initiatives, and maintain a fiscally sound and
thoughtfully led operation.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO leads and manages the organization in
accordance with policies, goals, and objectives established by the Board and
articulated through LVPM’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan. This person
will oversee an operating budget of $9.5 million, a staff of over 50 full and part-time
employees, and an endowment of $75 million.

Key Relationships
Reports to
Board of Directors
Other Key Relationships
Leadership Team
PA State Broadcasters
Partners Organizations
Community Members and Leaders
Major Responsibilities
Donors, Sponsors, and Foundations
PA State Government
PBS, NPR
Ensure that LVPM has the team, organizational structure, and culture to deliver
mission-driven content in ambitious and innovative ways, and the operating
platform and financial strength to maintain its leadership position in high
quality public media offerings.
Invest in, develop, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including
staff, board and audience members, donors, community leaders, and local/state
and federal government officials.
Oversee and direct all fundraising and development efforts – growing
membership, enhancing existing revenue streams, and building new ones – to
further LVPM’s mission.
Navigate the dynamic media landscape and changing media consumption
habits; develop a data-driven strategy and roadmap that articulates how LVPM
will produce and distribute content that broadens and serves its audiences and
reflects the issues of the day.
Build a transparent and community-focused culture, and foster a welcoming
and high-performance environment which stimulates open communication,
creativity, and collaboration.
Maintain a productive working partnership with the Board.
Develop strong relationships with the larger public media ecosystem and
current and potential media and technology partners.
Be a prominent voice and advocate for public media as it affects the Lehigh
Valley.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
While the next CEO may come from a variety of backgrounds, successful
candidates will bring several of the following experiences:
Leadership experience. Track record as an effective leader and manager of diverse
teams, in either a for-profit or nonprofit environment. The successful candidate will
be an innovator and change agent who has evolved a business model and scaled an
organization. They will have a reputation built from substance, experience, integrity
and character sufficient to earn the trust of internal and external constituents.
Financial and operating acumen. They will have an understanding of how to
manage budgets and allocate resources, and have P&L operating experience.
Fundraising experience. Demonstrated skill in generating financial and other
support for a mission-driven organization or cause, as an executive, board member
or in a related role.
Communication skills. Superior oral and written communication skills and the
ability to sell ideas and concepts to various constituencies, both internal and
external. The ideal candidate will be comfortable speaking on local, state and
national platforms and across ideologically diverse environments. The candidate will
have successfully operated in an environment that values transparency and
integrity in all forms of communication.
Commitment to community. The ideal candidate will have a rich understanding
and be an advocate of the entire population in the Lehigh Valley, embracing and
encouraging content creation that authentically represents and elevates all voices
in the communities LVPM serves.
Digital fluency. Demonstrated understanding of the rapidly changing media
landscape and how technology continues to change the way content is produced,
consumed, and shared. Ideally, the candidate will bring experience in partnering
with industry colleagues to leverage new technologies and platforms.
Media experience. Understanding of the evolving media landscape to include
content production in video, audio and digital formats as well as distribution via
over-the-air broadcast, digital and mobile channels. Success in creating news,
education, mission-driven content, and cultural programming that creates financial
and intangible benefits, as well as a strong appreciation for the value of data
analytics and digital marketing, is preferred.
Education. A B.A. or Master’s degree or higher is preferred.
SALLY M. STERLING EXECUTIVE SEARCH | IDEAL EXPERIENCE

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Editor’s note: That’s all, folks!