Podcast Producer, WFDD

Wake Forest University•Winston Salem, NC

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

This role coordinates WFDD's new podcast incubator initiative. The Podcast Producer assists in developing, piloting, and launching three distinct podcast products that serve community needs, advance WFDD's mission, and expand audience reach across platforms. This position requires strong organizational skills, sound editorial judgment, and the ability to manage day-to-day tasks under the general direction of the Content Director. They will coordinate the production pipeline: from concept development and talent engagement to recording, editing, publishing, and audience engagement. The ideal candidate balances editorial judgment, storytelling craft, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in journalism, media production, communications, or a related field.
Demonstrated two-year experience producing podcasts or narrative audio content from concept through publication.
Proficiency with audio recording and editing software (e.g., Adobe Audition).
Strong writing, story development, and editorial judgment.
Superior organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work with community partners, youth, and non-professional storytellers.
Ability to develop and enforce guidelines, standards, and expectations professionally.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public media, newsroom environments, or nonprofit journalism.
Familiarity with podcast distribution platforms and audience engagement strategies.
Experience working with youth, educators, or community-based organizations.
Knowledge of ethics and best practices in journalism and storytelling.
Understanding of branding, voice, and representation standards.
Bilingual or multilingual ability (Spanish preferred)
Experience developing new products, pilots, or editorial initiatives.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the WFDD Podcast Incubator: Assist with/administer the application and selection process, create and apply an evaluation rubric for submissions, recommend projects, coordinate logistics (studio access, training, equipment, scheduling), draft participation agreements, provide hands-on editorial and production support, ensure all incubated projects reflect WFDD’s mission, ethics, and brand integrity.
Develop One WFDD-Branded News or Public Affairs Podcast: Identify opportunities, propose a show concept and format, coordinate development from pitch through production and rollout, manage execution without adding workload to newsroom staff unless collaboration is pre-approved.
Create a Youth-Oriented Audio Product: Research youth engagement with on-demand audio, propose a concept and format, support production from planning to launch, assist in building partnerships or participation models with minimal disruption to existing staff capacity.
Manage Day-to-Day Production Tasks: Maintain production schedules, workflows, and project documentation, communicate progress, needs, and timelines clearly to the Content Director, collaborate across departments only when necessary and with clear planning.
Maintain Editorial, Brand, and Ethical Standards: Apply established guidelines, uphold WFDD’s standards around representation, ethics, tone, and accuracy, flag quality or compliance issues to the Content Director, escalate potential reputational or editorial risks to the Content Director.
Audience Growth, Engagement, and Distribution Strategy: Track performance metrics, coordinate with Marketing, News, and Membership teams to promote shows, grow audiences, and build visibility, support implementation of platform-specific strategies, adjust production, promotion, or format approaches based on data, trends, and audience needs, stay current on emerging platforms, formats, and audience habits, provide input when a product isn't reaching its audience goals, develop and document outreach, launch, and promotional plans for every new product.
Participates in on-air fundraisers as needed.
Maintains organized project documentation, production calendars, and agreements with participants.
Represents WFDD professionally in community, youth, and partner-facing settings.
Participates in staff meetings and strategic planning conversations as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Content Director.