ORF closes applications for 13 senior director posts

The deadline for applications to the 13 vacant director positions at Austria's public broadcaster ORF passed during the night of July 15. The posts include four central directorates and nine regional directorates. The designated General Director, Clemens Pig, has kept both the number of applicants and their identities confidential, though several candidates have announced their bids publicly.

Known internal candidates are Program Director Stefanie Groiss‑Horowitz, who is running for the "Program and Brands" and "Audience and Platforms" directorates, and Technology Director Harald Kräuter, who seeks the "Technology and Innovation" post. Finance Director Eva Schindlauer may also have applied, while ORF III co‑CEO Kathrin Zierhut‑Kunz confirmed her candidacy for "Finance and Administration". External interest includes media consultant Matthias Settele, former journalist Sonja Sagmeister, and other rumored figures from Austrian media.

At the regional level, several current directors are retiring or stepping down, such as Karin Bernhard in Carinthia, Gerhard Koch in Styria, and Waltraud Langer in Salzburg. The selection process, originally slated for 21 July, has been postponed to 11 August to ensure a lawful procedure. External personnel advisors from Germany and Switzerland are assisting in creating shortlists and conducting interviews before the final proposals are submitted to the ORF Foundation Board.