Sr Producer - MPR News

American Public Media Group•Saint Paul, MN

28d•Hybrid

About The Position

MPR News is seeking a seasoned leader to drive our afternoon news coverage. The ideal candidate has a passion for live radio, local news, building audiences, and leading teams. You can balance big, long-term projects with the day-to-day news coverage. You will direct the daily work of a team of producers, pitch and produce interviews and debriefs, direct All Things Considered, collaborate with editors and reporters, and help craft the digital transformation of our broadcast programming. MPR News remains committed to local broadcasts and to providing a space for Minnesotans to gather and share their stories. We’re looking for a producer who is devoted to elevating local voices and local stories. You understand the urgent need to practice more equitable journalism and are committed to collaborating with the entire newsroom to do so. Minnesota is approaching 20 percent Black, Indigenous and People of Color and the Twin Cities metro area is approaching 30 percent BIPOC. Attracting and being relevant to new audiences is vital for our future. You are curious, collaborative, decisive, and creative. You have a willingness to try new things and the ability to give constructive consistent feedback. Besides directing daily workloads for your team, you will oversee implementation of their professional development plans crafted by the assistant program director. This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between MPR and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”).

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
Minimum of 7 years’ experience in fast-paced, idea-driven broadcast journalism environments
Experience working with on air talent
At least 3 years’ experience as a producer of a multiplatform program, episodic podcast, documentary, and/or investigative series (per SAG-AFTRA CBA, Senior Producer classification)
Ability to produce programs that meet MPR News standards
Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high-performance culture
Ability to advocate for program/resources/staff
Supervisory skills and ability to recruit, coach and develop talent
Leadership and personnel skills and ability to inspire and lead the staff
Ability to manage change
Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with sound management
Knowledge of new media applications for digital distribution, audience engagement and community networking

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Hmong or other languages commonly used in Minnesota
3-5 years experience managing people
Broadcast control room experience

Responsibilities

Plan long-term goals for programs, alongside the hosts.
Direct and oversee the work of other producers.
Maintain highest journalistic standards across all platforms.
Track diversity of sources and hold staff accountable to sourcing goals.
Communicate the vision of the program to the staff and collaborate with other newsroom colleagues to elevate MPR News editorial goals.
Ensure the program’s overall tone and balance.
Consistently assess the program’s content and priorities.
Supervise editing and post production.
Oversee social media plan for the programs.
Lead staff by: Creating a culture of constructive performance coaching and regular, on-going feedback.
Encouraging creativity, invention and productivity.
Embracing diversity in staff make-up.
Creating and encouraging individualized development opportunities and plans for staff.
Originate story ideas for the programs and produce segments.
Direct live broadcasts of the programs.
Develop and produce special programs and remote broadcasts.
Collaborate with Membership department during fund drives.
Oversee archiving of the programs.
Oversee production of promos.
Other duties as assigned.