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About Chicago Public Media
Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.
WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.
Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
WBEZ's Production and Promotions Producer plays a major role in defining and maintaining the sound and image of the NPR News stations in the third largest market in the country. You'll be a daily collaborator with the VP of Programming in determining creative strategy, and then bringing it to life in daily audio elements. You'll focus on guiding listeners through WBEZ's live and on-demand listening experiences—helping them to build daily habits, and reinforce the value WBEZ journalism provides in Chicago. You can work fast, are a strong writer, and have outstanding production skills. You're skilled at telling compelling 15 and 30-second stories that resonate with the audience.
Day-to-day tasks include crafting production elements such as promos and station imaging spots, assisting with Production and quality control of fundraising and event messaging, and coordinating the scheduling of promos under the direction of Programming.
The Production and Promotions Producer works with the VP of Programming along with the Traffic team to execute the production, promotion, and scheduling of special broadcast programs and segments. They play a supporting role in the creation and production of WBEZ's fundraising assets, and collaborate across teams to generate ideas for and execute the production of audio tied to fundraising and WBEZ promotion, including on-air spots, stream insertions, podcast midrolls, etc.
This is a full-time role in Chicago, and WBEZ is currently a hybrid workplace.
General Responsibilities
- Producing promos, imaging, public service announcements, and interstitials for WBEZ's live and on-demand listening experiences.
- Collaborating with the VP of Programming on the creative strategy and workflow for all live listening promos—guiding what will air when, and how it will sound.
- Participation in regular cross-departmental meetings to establish promotional priorities and schedules.
- Collaborating with Traffic on inventory management for promos, ensuring promos reach intended target audiences, and are delivered as needed.
- Collaborating with News, Membership, and Engineering on creative execution of production for special projects and pledge drive elements.
- Monitor, assess, and coordinate WBEZ's use of network (e.g., NPR) audio promotional material.
Skills & Experience
- 2+ years working in audio production/operations with audio software such as Audition.
- 2+ years working in broadcasting.
- Outstanding organizational skills.
- Exceptional verbal and written English skills, with the ability to "write for the ear."
- Creative thinking and the ability to produce "ear-popping" promotional ideas and solutions.
- Demonstrated team and time management skills with the ability to multitask, be flexible, and take ownership of, and follow through on projects.
- Self-motivation and independence; open to taking on new tasks.
- Experience curating and/or arranging music.
- Prior experience working in or supporting non-profit fundraising is a plus.
WBEZ knows there are great candidates who may have many, but not all of these qualities or who have important skills and experience we haven't thought of. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include:
- 6 weeks fully paid family leave
- High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
- A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
- Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
