At a Glance
- Tasks: Produce a daily news show, crafting scripts and assembling audio content.
- Company: Join the iconic New York Times and be part of a world-renowned newsroom.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in journalism while honing your audio production skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in journalism, audio editing, and scriptwriting required.
- Other info: Dynamic team atmosphere with a commitment to journalistic independence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.
The New York Times Audio team is building on the success and journalism of "The Daily" to bring more of our audio reporting to our audiences every day. The Producer will play an important role in "The Headlines," a daily morning news show for Times subscribers. You’ll be part of an international team of producers and audio editors who use the journalistic rigor and power of The Times’ unique reporting to deliver the top stories through distinct writing and a sound-rich, audio experience.
The Producer must have a keen interest in daily news and be a close listener of The Headlines. A successful candidate has deep experience in writing for audio with an ear for clarity and logical sequencing of ideas. This role requires you to know how to find tape that enriches and advances a story, and you should have considerable experience working within a newsroom setting on tight and ever-changing deadlines. You should be comfortable on mic delivering the news with authority, as you will be expected to guest host the show when needed. Also core to the role is producing tapings with reporters that can quickly extract their expertise and analysis of the news. Finally, the Producer must have significant technical expertise because you’ll pull all the elements together in Pro Tools and deliver clean drafts.
This is an in-office position based in London, and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance. The role will report directly to the show’s Supervising Producer.
Main Responsibilities- Producing a daily newscast that publishes at 6 am EST.
- Drafting scripts that move in and out of tape with clarity, active voice, and in a way that eliminates repetition and propels the story forward.
- Finding and selecting tape from a multitude of sources (press conferences, live events, etc.).
- Clean assembly of the episode’s components in ProTools, including narration, tape and scoring.
- Filling in as host when needed, recording on deadline, incorporating live direction from editor and ongoing feedback on voicing and delivery.
- Anticipating needs of the show and being resourceful in executing them.
- Researching, prepping, transcribing and cutting interviews with reporters for clarity, concision, pacing and context.
- Responding to breaking and evolving news with a sense of urgency and curiosity.
- Exercising strong editorial judgment.
- Monitoring the news cycle to help make story selections alongside the team.
- Demonstrating support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
- Adhering to quick turnaround deadlines and exercising calm under pressure.
- Welcoming and soliciting feedback, incorporating editorial notes quickly, working collaboratively and coming up with creative solutions when disagreements arise.
- Working with editor to coach and direct host in studio.
- Anticipating challenges in stories and proactively solving for them as well as identifying creative solutions when something isn’t working.
- Significant experience in journalism and daily news.
- Knowledge across and interest in multiple disciplines such as politics, business, science, etc.
- Proficiency with audio editing software, such as ProTools.
- Experience writing news scripts in an audio format.
- Ability to work independently but also collaboratively and quickly within a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in a deadline-driven environment.
- Some hosting experience preferred.
- Believes in The New York Times’ mission of independence and is dedicated to being a part of our innovation and growth.
- Committed to upholding the editorial standards of The Times.
In order to be considered for this position, please submit your resume, cover letter, audio portfolio and writing samples (at least one should be from an audio script).
Producer, The Headlines employer: The New York Times
Contact Detail:
The New York Times Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Producer, The Headlines
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know The New York Times inside out! Familiarise yourself with their style, tone, and the kind of stories they cover. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend industry events, or join relevant online forums. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions and scenarios related to audio production and journalism. Think about how you would handle tight deadlines and breaking news situations, as these are crucial in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your audio portfolio! Make sure it highlights your best work and demonstrates your ability to write scripts for audio. This is your chance to shine, so make it count!
We think you need these skills to ace Producer, The Headlines
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your passion for journalism and how your experience aligns with the role of Producer. We want to see your personality come through, so don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm for audio storytelling show!
Showcase Your Audio Skills: Since this role involves a lot of audio work, make sure to include samples that demonstrate your proficiency with audio editing software like Pro Tools. We’re looking for clarity and creativity in your audio scripts, so pick your best pieces to showcase!
Tailor Your Resume: When applying, tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in journalism and audio production. We want to see how your background makes you a perfect fit for The Headlines, so focus on your achievements and skills that align with our mission.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The New York Times!
How to prepare for a job interview at The New York Times
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re up to date with the latest news and trends, especially those relevant to The New York Times. Familiarise yourself with their recent audio productions, particularly 'The Headlines', and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their mission of delivering quality journalism.
✨Showcase Your Audio Skills
Bring along samples of your audio work that highlight your editing skills and scriptwriting for audio. Be prepared to discuss your process in Pro Tools and how you ensure clarity and engagement in your audio storytelling.
✨Demonstrate Your Newsroom Experience
Share specific examples from your past roles where you’ve thrived under tight deadlines. Talk about how you’ve collaborated with teams in a fast-paced environment and how you’ve handled breaking news situations with urgency and creativity.
✨Be Ready to Host
Since you might need to guest host, practice your delivery and be confident on the mic. Think about how you would engage listeners and convey news with authority. It’s all about making a connection while maintaining professionalism!