Podcast Producer Decoder Ring
Slate is looking for a versatile, experienced producer to help us make our critically acclaimed podcast Decoder Ring, hosted by Willa Paskin. The person we’re looking for has a keen grasp of all aspects of audio storytelling and is eager to find untold stories grounded in pop culture and big ideas. They have a natural interest in adding perspective and context to complicated narratives. They have an eye for historical oddities and an ear for good tape. They enjoy spending hours scouring archives and old media for the perfect clips. They can move adroitly between booking, recording, writing, editing, tracking, mixing, and creative troubleshooting. The ideal candidate is equally adept at crafting a compelling narrative on paper and making it sing in the mix. They can integrate multiple rounds of notes and turn around careful edits on tight deadlines. They have a musical ear and artful approach to sound design. They have experience working closely with a host and other producers to publish episodes on a regular schedule. Applicants must be self-starters who are efficient, personable, open to experimentation, and find real joy in the work. This position can be located in Slate’s New York or D. C. offices. We will consider remote work for the right candidate. The annual base pay range for this job is between $90,000 and $100,000. This is a position covered under a collective bargaining agreement between Slate and theWriters Guild of America East.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with a host and team of producers to conceive multiple episodes
- Identify promising storylines, characters, and sound-rich tape opportunities
- Contribute to the research, reporting, and prep for interviews
- Occasionally direct voice tracking sessions in person or remotely
- Edit rough cuts and implement script notes quickly and sensitively
- Find archival tape and other old media clips
- Arrange interviews and oversee recording sessions, often over remote connections
- Score and sound design final mixes in Pro Tools
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- At least four years of experience in radio or podcasting in a journalistic environment
- Excellent writing skills, editing chops, and story sense
- Experience turning dry research into compelling narratives
- Mastery of professional audio editing software, preferably ProTools
$90,000 – $100,000 a year Slate is committed to excellence through diversity, which involves attracting talented people from diverse backgrounds and traditions. We encourage everyone to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please let us know. We will do what we can to meet your needs. Slate, founded in 1996, is a daily online magazine and podcast network that helped invent the voice of the web. Our strong editorial voice and witty take on current events & culture have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online. Our podcast network, established in 2005, produces more than 20 podcasts, including Slow Burn, What Next, Decoder Ring and more. Slate is an affiliate of Graham Holdings. Read the Graham Holdings Company California Worker Privacy Statement here. $50,000 — $110,000/year