Supervising Producer, Podcasts & Audio at Los Angeles Times in El Segundo, California

Job Description:

Join the hundreds of talented and innovative team members who are making an impact every day at California Times, incorporating Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune, two of the most iconic media brands in the nation. Whether you love to tell compelling stories or want to drive our award-winning powerhouse in new directions, the Los Angeles Times team is the place to be.

Job Description Summary

The Los Angeles Times is looking for an ambitious, collaborative and experienced supervising producer to join our podcast and audio unit. The supervising producer will work with the executive producer and deputy managing editor of audio to manage our growing team, develop and launch future podcasts, set team goals and manage production timelines. The supervising producer will also help produce, edit and manage our existing slate of narrative, chat and daily news podcasts with the in-house audio team and external studios the Times partners with.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Develop podcasts – from pitch to greenlight to launch – with reporters, editors and talent inside and outside the newsroom


• Help manage our production team and production timelines for the podcasts they are working on


• Work well with teams of producers, senior producers, editors, reporters, audio engineers, sound designers, illustrators, audience engagement editors, advertisers, marketers, the public relations team, lawyers, podcast platforms and the external studio partners


• Help set ambitious goals for our podcast and audio unit


• Write, edit and fact-check show scripts on paper as needed


• Edit audio interviews and mix and score sessions in ProTools as needed, before handing them off to audio engineers


• Record host and guest interviews remotely and gather field sound as needed


• Write online and promotional content as needed


• Be the final set of ears to listen to episodes before uploading them to our podcast platform


• Provide continual feedback to employees on their performance, to develop talent and push the department to do better


• Support the executive producer on administrative tasks such as staff schedules, timecards and expense reports

Qualifications:

• Seven to 10 years of journalism experience


• Experience producing and developing reported narrative, chat and news podcasts


• Proven expertise recording audio in studio, remotely and in the field and in editing audio in ProTools


• Detail-oriented and highly organized


• Ability to work on a number of podcasts and audio projects at the same time without missing a deadline


• Excellent problem solver, project manager, communicator and collaborator


• Passionate about original audio storytelling and open to experimentation within the format


• Comfortable giving and taking feedback as necessary


• High level of professionalism at all times


• Ability to work well under pressure and be able to make quick decisions and the strength to go with your gut


• Strong mentoring and leadership skills

The strongest candidates will also have a deep familiarity with everything California, the knowledge that California can explain the world (and a passion for bringing that idea to life) and the ability to speak multiple languages.

The L.A. Times is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Explore our company history, achievement, values, mission and more on our Careers Site.

This is a management role that will be filled internally. Occasional weekend and night shifts are expected. L.A. Times staff is currently working remotely, but when we return to the newsroom the position will be based in El Segundo, Calif.

To apply, please upload a cover letter, a resume that includes links to podcasts you’ve worked on, and 250 words about a memorable podcast (not one of ours, please) via the apply link. Please note, the opportunity to attach additional documents appears on the third screen and is labeled “Upload.” This position reports to Abbie Fentress Swanson, executive producer of audio and podcasts.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team at the Los Angeles Times!  We look forward to reviewing your application.