Associate Audio Producer
NPR
Remote, CAThis is a Full Time Job
OVERVIEW
Application Instructions and Deadline:
Please submit your resume and a cover letter by 11:59 pm EST, July 2nd, 2026. Your cover letter should answer the following question:
Our approach to brand storytelling is different from traditional advertising campaigns. After reviewing some of the examples in our portfolio, what do you think is critical for telling a story for an NPR sponsor?
Intro to Position
Within NPM, the NPM Creative team is responsible for NPR's digital sponsorship products and is the audio and visual in-house production team for NPR sponsors. We are seeking an associate audio producer who can help our team produce, record, edit, and execute custom audio campaigns for sponsors. This is a great opportunity to utilize storytelling skills, sharpen audio editing techniques, and learn about NPM's unique approach to custom content, of which you can see examples on our portfolio site. You can read a copy of the AI guidelines our team has created here, which include guiding principles like human-centered creativity, equity and ethics, and intentional use.
The type of person we are looking for is:
• Extremely communicative. Is able to balance direct communication and compassionate understanding, while clearly articulating needs and progress towards deadlines.
• Skilled at prioritizing while juggling multiple projects at once, and able to stay positive and focused in a world of constant distractions.
• Kind and respectful to others, but not afraid to jump in and voice an opinion.
• Independent and interested in working on a small, tight-knit team of creative specialists who love to collaborate!
Responsibilities
This role collaborates closely with the Supervising Audio Producer and Production Coordinator, and works across multiple client campaigns. Primary responsibilities include:
• Creative brainstorming for client pitches, communicating ideas clearly with a focus on how the story will sound and what listeners will hear
• Drafting interview sample questions from client creative briefs, keeping in mind NPR and NPM best practices and guidelines
• Directing or providing support during remote recordings to ensure content is conversational and authentic, covers campaign objectives, and is the best possible audio quality
• Proposing and editing interview clips and immersive sound-design to fit within custom audio products, including :30 and :60 mid-rolls, ~3 minute brand stories, custom podcasts, and more
• Writing and proposing scripted promotional pieces, :60 scripts, introductions to custom clips, and engaging calls to action (CTAs)
• Editing and preparing final files, including scoring with custom music provided by our composer, that reflect client edits, storytelling best practices, and NPR-quality audio
• Brainstorming, preparing files, and analyzing results for internal creative testing
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
Minimum Qualifications
• At least 2-4 years of experience editing audio
• Experience with narrative audio storytelling (podcast or other short-form audio) and interviewing
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in branded content or creating content for brands
• Degree in journalism, media, communications, or related field
• Experience in scripting conversational promotional or advertorial scripts that match a show's tone
• Experience coaching an interview subject to answer questions naturally, as if you are hosting a conversation for a podcast
Required Skills / Competencies
• Proficient on Adobe Audition or a similar audio editing software (Pro Tools, Hindenburg, etc.)
• An ear for scoring and sound design, with some experience in each
• Ability to communicate and collaborate; give, receive and implement feedback
• Experience and comfort in professional, client-facing communications
• Familiarity with using and troubleshooting audio equipment (both on-site and virtually).
• Strong attention to detail, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and follow through
Education Requirements
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
Work Location & Requirements
NPM Remote Permitted: This position is remote-permitted, but candidates must reside within the 10 states where National Public Media Operates: NY, NJ, CA, CT, MD, VA, IL, CO, MN and Washington D.C. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPM; (b) on-site at an NPM facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPM; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.
Job Type
• This is a full-time, exempt position.
Compensation
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
#LI-REMOTE
The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.
NPR Pay Range
$70,000 - $75,000 USD
You may read NPR's privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.
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Salary/Benefits
$70,000 - $75,000 /year USD
Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401(k)
Perks
• Access to health and wellness
• Financial well-being
Additional Information
NPR is a mission-driven multimedia organization that produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation, reaching 46 million people weekly. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility, principles that resonate with our employees who are innovators in diverse fields, including journalism, digital media, IT, and development. National Public Media (NPM), the sponsorship subsidiary of NPR, collaborates with brands, agencies, producers, and broadcasters to create campaigns that align with sponsor objectives while supporting the mission of public media. NPM serves as the exclusive sponsorship representative for the NPR network and is dedicated to excellence in audience research, measurement tools, product design, and creative consultation for its brand and station partners. Across our organization, we are building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is key to our success, with a commitment to integrity and ethical standards in all aspects of our journalism and operations.