At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and enhance the audio experience across platforms, ensuring quality and engagement.
- Company: Join The Economist Group, a leader in global analysis and journalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health insurance, flexible work options, and access to all Economist content.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how millions engage with audio journalism.
- Qualifications: Experience in audio product management and a passion for great listening experiences.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Who We Are
We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them. We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and businesses in 170 countries through our three businesses, The Economist, Economist Enterprise and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity. The Economist Group is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs. We deliver world‑class, thought‑provoking content through a range of formats including web, app, print, audio, conferences and film. What unites us is our independence, global perspective and commitment to clarity of thought.
Audio is an increasingly important way subscribers experience The Economist. From article narrations and text‑to‑speech to our portfolio of podcasts, our audio products give our journalism a distinctly human dimension and a growing role in how subscribers build a lasting habit with us. 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.
AI usage for your application
We are an innovative organisation that encourages the use of technology. We recognise that candidates may utilise AI tools to support with their job application process. However, it is essential that all information you provide truthfully and accurately reflects your own experience, skills and qualifications.
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 Work From Anywhere programme, 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: The Economist
The Economist Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a culture that values diverse perspectives, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly in the realm of finance transformation. With a commitment to fostering a transformative mindset and leveraging cutting-edge AI capabilities, The Economist Group empowers its team members to drive meaningful change and contribute to the company's mission of delivering world-class insights.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager - Audio
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the audio and product management space. Use LinkedIn or even Twitter to connect with industry folks. A friendly chat can open doors you didn’t even know existed!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for audio! When you get that interview, talk about your favourite podcasts or audio products. Share what makes them great and how you’d bring that same energy to The Economist's audio experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you’d improve the listening experience or tackle common audio issues. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action, so come ready with ideas!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at The Economist.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager - Audio
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Audio:When you're writing your application, let your love for audio products shine through! Talk about any relevant experience you have with audio platforms or how you've engaged with audio content in the past. We want to see that you care about creating great listening experiences.
Be Data-Driven:Make sure to highlight your ability to use data in your application. Mention any metrics you've tracked or experiments you've run in previous roles. We value candidates who can make informed decisions based on data, so show us how you've done this before!
Tailor Your Application:Don't just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the Product Manager role at The Economist. Mention specific responsibilities from the job description and how your skills align with them. This shows us you're genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we stand for while you're at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Economist
✨Know Your Audio Products
Before the interview, dive deep into The Economist's audio offerings. Familiarise yourself with their podcasts, article narrations, and text-to-speech features. Being able to discuss specific products and suggest improvements will show your genuine interest and expertise in audio.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform product decisions in the past. Be ready to share examples of success metrics you've defined and how they impacted user engagement. This will demonstrate your data-informed approach, which is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working in cross-functional teams. Share stories that showcase your ability to collaborate with editorial, engineering, and analytics teams. This will illustrate that you understand the importance of teamwork in delivering a great audio experience.
✨Understand the Audience
Research The Economist's target audience and their listening habits. Be prepared to discuss how you would enhance listener engagement and retention. Showing that you can think from the subscriber's perspective will resonate well with the interviewers.
