Pre-Production Associate, Audio Production (On-site)

Bertelsmann • Los Angeles, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Penguin Random House is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Pre-Production Associate to coordinate a high volume of audiobook recording sessions. The role works with producers, studios, narrators, authors, directors, engineers, agents, and other production partners around the world to keep recordings efficiently scheduled and on track. The position requires precise and professional communication, the ability to respond quickly to changing needs, and sound judgment in resolving complex scheduling and resource challenges.

The associate manages audiobook recording bookings across multiple studios, production resources, and time zones; coordinates participant availability; and partners with producers to prioritize bookings and meet deadlines. The role also supports production operations by distributing and preparing scripts and related materials, generating reports, participating in workflow and system testing, and providing onsite logistical support. This is an onsite position based in North Hollywood, California, requiring at least four onsite days per week during the first 12 months. Further hybrid flexibility may be available after the first year.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of experience in production scheduling, production coordination, resource scheduling, or a comparable high-volume environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage numerous simultaneous bookings and shifting priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment when making time-sensitive scheduling decisions.
• Precise, responsive, and personable written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with complex systems that require accurate data management and workflow automation.
• Professionalism and discretion when communicating with high-profile talent, authors, executives, and creative professionals.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across production, creative, technical, and operational teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in publishing, audiobook, media, or recording-studio production.
• Experience working directly with talent and creative professionals.
• Familiarity with workflow automation, production technology, or programming.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-volume audiobook recording bookings across multiple studios, production resources, and time zones.
• Coordinate availability among narrators, authors, directors, engineers, studios, agents, producers, and other production personnel.
• Work with producers to prioritize bookings and meet production deadlines.
• Respond to new requests, cancellations, schedule changes, talent availability, and special production needs.
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts, gaps, overbookings, and resource constraints.
• Anticipate capacity challenges and recommend practical scheduling solutions.
• Maintain accurate, real-time booking data using scheduling, workflow automation, and production systems.
• Communicate scheduling changes clearly and promptly to affected teams and partners.
• Provide scheduling coverage for other pre-production associates as needed.
• Distribute audiobook scripts and supporting materials according to production protocols.
• Analyze, prepare, and convert book scripts into formats required by production systems and workflows.
• Generate resource utilization and production reports as needed.
• Participate in workflow, automation, and system testing.
• Provide onsite logistical support to producers, directors, engineers, narrators, actors, and operations teams.
• Support authors, narrators, directors, and studio partners with production logistics and related needs, such as travel bookings.

Benefits

• Annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results, for eligible positions.
• Medical and prescription drug insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.
• Health Savings Account.
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k).
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Educational Assistance.
• Generous paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed