At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and enhance the audio experience across various platforms at The Economist.
- Company: Join a prestigious publication known for its quality journalism and innovative audio products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private health insurance, flexible work options, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on audio experiences that engage a global audience.
- Qualifications: Experience in audio product management and a passion for great listening experiences.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Product Manager to own the listening experience and audio operations at The Economist. This is a craft-focused role for someone who cares deeply about what great audio product feels like and who wants to go deep on making it excellent.
About the role
The Product Manager for Audio will own the quality and delivery of The Economist's listening experiences across our app, web, and third-party platforms. This means day‑to‑day responsibility for the in‑app and on‑web audio player, article narration and text‑to‑speech pipelines, podcast hosting and distribution via Acast, and how listeners find and engage with our audio on platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The role sits within a broader Audio and Video product team and reports to the Principal PM, Audio and Video. You will work closely with Editorial, Engineering and Analytics to make audio experiences that are reliable, engaging and worthy of The Economist's reputation. This is an individual contributor role suited to a PM who wants to own a meaningful product area with real depth, not someone looking to manage upward or own strategy from day one.
Responsibilities
- Own the listening experience across our app, web and third‑party platforms, including player quality, playback reliability and the end‑to‑end listener journey.
- Lead delivery of article narration and text‑to‑speech scaling in partnership with Editorial and production teams.
- Manage podcast hosting and distribution via Acast, and our presence on listening platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Define and track success metrics for audio engagement, listening depth and habit formation.
- Work closely with Engineering on audio infrastructure decisions including streaming performance, content delivery and third‑party integrations.
- Partner with the Principal PM to feed insights from audio into the broader Audio and Video roadmap.
- Communicate progress, risks and priorities clearly to stakeholders across product, editorial and engineering.
The ideal skills for this role
- Executor: You have shipped audio or media product features in a consumer app or digital platform, and you know how to get things done in a lean cross‑functional team.
- Detail‑oriented: You care about the craft of listening, noticing when playback continuity, buffering or interface clarity is slightly off.
- Subscription‑minded: You understand how listening habits drive long‑term subscriber value and make product decisions with engagement and retention in mind.
- Data‑informed: Comfortable defining success metrics, running experiments, and using data to make and defend product decisions.
- Editorially‑aware: Confident working with editorial colleagues, understanding their constraints, and balancing listener experience with journalistic standards.
- Collaborative: Works well within a small squad and across engineering, design and data science.
Domain knowledge
- Audio product experience including in‑app and web players, narration pipelines, podcast hosting and distribution.
- Text‑to‑speech technologies and their application in editorial content products.
- Podcast hosting and distribution platforms such as Acast, and listener platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Engagement and retention metrics for audio formats.
- Multi‑platform product delivery across web, app and third‑party platforms.
- Enthusiasm for The Economist's mission, journalism and global audience.
Working Arrangements
The majority of our roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required.
What we offer
Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work‑life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program. We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home. You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.
Product Manager - Audio employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
At The Economist, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values creativity and innovation in the audio space. Our collaborative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering employees the chance to engage deeply with their craft while enjoying a competitive benefits package that includes flexible working arrangements and generous leave policies. Join us in shaping the future of audio experiences for our global audience, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of our office environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager - Audio
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Dormont Manufacturing Co!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Dormont Manufacturing Co would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Dormont Manufacturing Co through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager - Audio
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Manager - Audio, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Manager - Audio position at Dormont Manufacturing Co. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
