Senior Producer, Today Explained

Job Description

Vox is a user's guide to the news produced by the reporters and subject issue experts who know it best and Today, Explained – our flagship podcast – is an audio expression of that mission: a daily news explainer that is both relentlessly reported and ground-breaking in its sonics and storytelling. And now we're looking for an experienced and versatile audio producer with a long track record of producing compelling news stories and segments to join the team of our ambitious and innovative daily news explainer podcast.

What you'll do:

Although you'll primarily take the lead role on production of a given episode, the senior producer will also collaborate with the team to conceptualize each day's programming, frame smart pitches, book and interview guests, script and constructing the segments, edit and score episodes, and sometimes report segments yourself. The right person for this position is a seasoned, accomplished producer delighted by the idea of innovating on foundational news formats like the standard two-way, and has demonstrated a knack for taking unexpected approaches to curiosity-driven stories.

The ideal candidate is voracious learner who finds themselves obsessed with domestic and global news, and enjoys digging into everything from the inner workings of the Biden White House to the latest developments in lab-grown meats to the debates over gentrification, environmental policy, and diversity in the entertainment industry. This is not a management position. You'll be conceiving of and producing episodes in tandem with a strong team of colleagues.

Responsibilities:
• Research and propose timely and distinctive story segments, write program copy
• Explain the news of the day clearly and respectfully - never underestimating the audience's intelligence or overestimating their information
• Produce segments and episodes as needed
• Assemble research prep and write program copy
• Locate and book diverse sources and interviewees
• Occasional original reporting, scoring and script editing

What you'll bring:
• Significant experience creating audio stories as part of a fast-moving, collaborative team under deadline pressure
• A portfolio that demonstrates an ear for great tape and inventive approaches to audio storytelling
• A highly organized and dogged approach to landing bookings on a fast turnaround
• Experience scripting and editing compelling, curiosity-driven stories or segments
• A track record of developing stories that draw on diverse perspectives/source lists
• A passion for explanatory journalism
• Creativity and a desire to push the boundaries and be innovative
• Proficiency in audio mixing in ProTools or other audio editing software is a plus.

Please note: Your application should include your resume and a short cover letter describing your interest in the position. Also Include links to examples of your work and descriptions of what your role was on relevant previous projects. In addition, craft two pitches for episodes of Today, Explained that you would like to produce – including the overarching thesis, what we'll add to the understanding of this story, who you would book as guest voices and any other specifics you think important to make the episode you envision. We look forward to speaking to you about your pitches!
*This role is a part of the Vox Media Union, represented by the Writers Guild of America, East.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpxmb9-18-218-234-83-42 in your application.