ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
We will stop accepting applications for this role on January 14th @ 5PM ET.
The country’s largest investigative news organization is seeking an executive producer to oversee the creation of a new podcast series and to serve as the primary liaison on audio partnerships with other media organizations. We see the role of this new leader as critical to helping expand the reach and impact of our journalism. We’re looking for a veteran journalist with experience in accountability reporting and a track record of turning stories about complicated issues and secretive sources into compelling programs. Strong management and communication skills are essential.
Although ProPublica has already co-produced several successful podcasts — including “We Don’t Talk About Leonard” and “Trump, Inc.” — the creation of our own seasonal program represents a new venture for us. We are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, working relationships with a broad array of leaders in the industry, and a keen understanding of the logistical and financial challenges of breaking into the saturated podcasting landscape.
In this job, you would select and manage the hosts for the new podcast series and help them bring ProPublica’s work to life in audio. You would work with sprawling teams of staff reporters and editors, along with freelance field producers and sound engineers, to identify stories that will be featured each season. You would oversee all aspects of structuring, directing and producing the episodes, as well as podcasts that we decide to co-produce with other media companies.
This role will report to a managing editor.
Key aspects of the job include:
- Organizing auditions to select hosts for the seasonal program.
- Identifying stories in the ProPublica newsroom that will be featured on the program, as well as originating ideas that have the potential to develop into separate audio projects.
- Helping to establish a compelling audio style and narrative voice for ProPublica.
- Advising the reporting and providing feedback and guidance on scripts and drafts.
- Ensuring strong journalistic ethics and fact-checking processes throughout production.
- Collaborating with business team members to acquire production and post-production financing.
- Developing new relationships with production partners and securing distribution.
- Working with partners and communications team members to coordinate publicity around audio releases.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Is a talented and multifaceted producer and narrative storyteller with seven or more years of experience.
- Has an established creative sensibility and a track record of developing and producing great audio storytelling in a newsroom, production company, studio or elsewhere.
- Has creative, innovative audio sensibilities as well as high editorial standards and unassailable journalism ethics.
- Has strategic expertise to help build a pipeline of audio projects that balance high journalistic rigor, quality and ethical standards with innovative and artistic storytelling.
- Forges strong relationships and partnerships across departments, disciplines and industries.
- Has experience collaborating successfully with print and audio journalists and producers.
- Has experience packaging projects, creating successful pitching materials and seeking financial support.
- Is interested in pushing the boundaries on what investigative journalism can look like in audio and how it can reach mainstream audiences.
- Can oversee several projects simultaneously.
- Is available for occasional travel to meet with reporters and newsrooms, or to other required events.
- Has trauma literacy and experience working with complex and sensitive topics.
This job is full time and includes benefits. ProPublica is based in New York, but we’re open to remote candidates. We have offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Chicago; Austin, Texas; Phoenix; and Berkeley, California. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The expected salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000.
This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person’s experience, accomplishment and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.
Questions? Send an email to talent@propublica.org.
No phone calls, please.
We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.
