StoryCorps

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Division: Production

Department: Audio

Location: Brooklyn, NY/ Remote

Reports To: Chief Content Officer

Term of Employment: December 31, 2024 [eligible for renewal]

Travel Percentage: 20%

Status: Full-time, Temporary, Exempt, Non-Union

Salary: $105,000 – $115, 000/ annually

Deadline to apply: Friday, May 3rd, 2024, 5:00 pm ET

THE ROLE

This is a grant-funded position. Renewal of the position is subject/dependent upon continued funding. If the grant is not renewed, the incumbent can apply for other roles within StoryCorps.

The Executive Producer, Special Projects will have a focus on supporting the production of stories for StoryCorps Brightness in Black Initiative. The Executive Producer, Special Projects will be the editorial lead for StoryCorps’ three-year initiative to counter the dominant, deficit-framed narratives about Black people with asset-framed stories of pride, joy, triumph, and excellence. This position will build and lead a team that will produce top-notch audio productions, to be broadcast on NPR and other national media platforms, as well as support the creation of Brightness in Black content on a local level in partner communities.

The Executive Producer is a proven leader who can inspire, motivate, and challenge staff to create their best work and find ways to constantly raise the bar on quality and storytelling. The position demands editorial excellence, ensuring that Brightness in Black content meets the highest standards of journalistic integrity, quality of craft, and production. It also requires a mind for operations to steward the smooth delivery of ambitious, high-profile audio productions.

The Executive Producer will be a strong collaborator who can work across departments within StoryCorps and with external partners. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of the Black media landscape and have proven skills in reaching new audiences.

The Executive Producer will directly supervise one producer. The Executive Producer will demonstrate and model leadership, collaboration across StoryCorps departments and divisions, and an unflagging commitment to creating content that showcases diverse voices and experiences that are relevant and accessible to diverse audiences.

The Executive Producer, Special Projects position is a temporary position set to end December 31, 2024.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Working closely with the Chief Content Officer, set the editorial direction for Brightness in Black and related editorial projects.
• Supervise the production of Brightness in Black audio content including, but not limited to, national broadcasts on NPR and other national media partners, podcasts, and digital offerings for the web and social media.
• Mentor and develop staff both editorially and as leaders.
• In collaboration with the rest of the Brightness in Black leadership team, identify and collaborate with local creators in partner communities who will produce local content.
• Supervise the production of local Brightness in Black content.
• Ensure the timely completion of all content deliverables for broadcast, grants, and StoryCorps’ organizational needs.
• Supervise the operational, financial, and HR workings of the team.
• Build and maintain editorial relationships with external broadcast partners.
• Provide editorial feedback and approval at critical editorial checkpoints, ensuring excellence, originality, and diversity of stories and participants.
• Help set and maintain internal standards for journalistic integrity, quality of craft, and audio production.
• Commission story ideas and pitches.
• Act as primary liaison with internal stakeholders in programs, marketing & communication, finance, legal, and development.
• Assist in StoryCorps’ program designs for initiatives and special projects, as needed.

ABOUT YOU

Required:

• Minimum 7 years of work experience in radio/audio production, or a similar field
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and meet competing deadlines
• Demonstrated knowledge of non-linear, narrative, and digital editing, including mixing music and audio; preferably on ProTools
• Demonstrated experience leading a creative team in a deadline-oriented, fast-paced media environment
• Prior experience working as part of a senior creative team creating content strategy and innovation projects
• Cultural competence/humility and the ability to work successfully with diverse groups of people
• Excellent public presentation and speaking skills
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to contribute to problem-solving activities within a growing, changing organization

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent work experience
• Knowledge of and experience collaborating with media networks and stations
• Track record of building an audience and reaching new audiences
• Experience producing content representative of diverse voices and audiences
• Expertise with ProTools
• Fluency in languages such as Spanish, Haitian, Creole, or other African languages/dialects

Physical Requirements:

• Travel Percentage: 20%

ABOUT STORYCORPS

StoryCorps’ mission is to help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all — one story at a time. Since 2003, more than 600,000 people, in all 50 states, have recorded StoryCorps interviews about their lives. We preserve and archive their recordings at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered, and share select stories with the public through StoryCorps’ podcast, NPR broadcasts, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books. These powerful human stories reflect the vast range of American experiences, engender empathy and connection, and remind us how much more we have in common than what divides us. StoryCorps is especially committed to capturing and amplifying voices least heard in the media.

OUR COMMITMENT:

We seek to recruit and develop a staff whose diversity reflects the communities we serve, and strongly encourage applications from people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of all ages, political beliefs, and cultures. StoryCorps records, shares, and preserves stories from across the country.

IN-OFFICE WORK:

Working at the StoryCorps office is optional except in certain circumstances, such as in-person training, if your position requires some in-office presence, or if your manager needs an in-person individual or team meeting, COVID guidelines permitting. For those who prefer to work in the office, that option remains.

COVID NOTICE:

All offers of employment requiring on-site/in-person work will be contingent on the candidate being Fully Vaccinated (at least two-weeks after last dose) prior to starting their new role. Reasonable accommodations can be discussed with HR personnel for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons. Proof of vaccination status is required at the time of extending the offer.

StoryCorps