VPM is looking for an experienced narrative producer to lead a small team working on a limited series podcast about refugee resettlement in the United States.
Resettled is a podcast that amplifies true stories of refugees as they begin new lives in Virginia. Central Virginia has a long history of refugee resettlement. Harrisonburg, a town of about 50,000 people, is second only to Northern Virginia’s sprawling suburbs in its effort to resettle refugees. But resettlement offices have closed throughout 2019 as restrictions get issued on the number of refugees permitted to enter the U.S. So what happens to those who are allowed to stay? How do they craft new lives in a new place with all of the standard challenges that process brings—and the new challenges that emerge with every policy shift?
Hosted by Ahmed Badr, each episode of Resettled tells the story of one pivotal moment in the life of a refugee—from getting health insurance to graduating from college. Resettled is set to launch in Spring 2020. It is currently produced by a team of freelancers with support from the VPM News and Digital Content teams. We’re looking for a lead producer to get the show finalized and launched.
We’re looking for: An experienced producer who can help our host and freelance producers structure a narrative-driven, six-part podcast series. Most of the tape has been collected for the show but we need a central figure to guide the episodes and make them sing.
As Lead Producer, you will help conceive, assign and execute stories for the Resettled podcast as well as related broadcast and digital elements. You care about story structure and empowering a story’s subjects through compelling scenes. You have a deep understanding of and love for narrative journalism. The ideal candidate for this role has exceptional audio editing and management skills, is good with deadlines, and has strong editorial judgment.
This is a full-time, 3-4 month contract position based in Central Virginia, but this job can be done remotely.
Production Tasks:
- Write and produce content to support show, as needed:
- Work with host and story editor to write and edit scripts
- Work with freelance producers to write scripts and pull selects to craft compelling scenes
- Direct how interviews/selects would be utilized within the story
- Edit already collected tape
- Support the team in the assembly of episodes
- Collaborate with team to determine uses of archival footage, scoring, sound design, etc.
- Partner with project manager to manage production calendar and adjust as needed to deliver assets on schedule
Management Tasks:
- Lead pitch meetings, selecting specific stories, themes, and narrative arcs
- Assist host/freelance producers with prep for interviews and reporting assignments
- Assist host/freelance producers in organizing and focusing their stories throughout reporting, writing, editing and fact-checking process
- Assist with future planning, development of host projects, and strategic partnerships
- Monitor show for overall balance, variety of stories and types of pieces
- Regularly provide constructive critiques of stories in personal meetings with staff and contributors
- Ensure that all materials aired meet VPM News standards and practices
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
- At least five years experience working on digital audio projects
- Demonstrated writing ability
- Thorough knowledge of and passion for long-form narrative storytelling in the audio space
- Ability to hit the ground running on a project that is already underway
- Ability to work collaboratively with a highly creative team
- Ability to synthesize large amounts of information into actionable tasks and delegate effectively
- Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating respect for diverse constituencies at all times
- Ability and willingness to work varied shifts
- Valid State-Issued Driver’s License
- Good hearing and vision, and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds
- Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision and consistently meet deadlines
- Flexible to work unusual hours in remote locations as necessary
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of basic and advanced principles of audio production for news programming and narrative journalism
- Experience leading highly creative teams
- Experience working in and/or knowledge of public radio and podcasting
Apply by sending your resume to [email protected]. The position will remain open until filled.
EOE M/F/D/V VPM reserves the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice, or obligation, to any party.
