The Wall Street Journal is seeking an experienced, energetic and creative host and producer to be the voice of its daily tech podcast Tech News Briefing and its companion news headline show TNB Tech Minute.
In this role, you will be responsible for delivering the most important tech news of the day to the show’s growing, global audience of engaged listeners through interviews and news segments.
This position requires an authoritative yet approachable on-mic presence, impeccable editorial judgment, a deep understanding of audio storytelling, strong production skills and a passion for explaining the “why” behind the news and how it affects listeners’ everyday lives. It also requires the ability to get up to speed quickly, to ask the basic questions that ensure accuracy and precision, and to ask the unexpected questions that illuminate a topic.
Top candidates for this role will have a journalism background and interest in the people, companies and money behind the latest technological innovations. They must have experience in tech and/or business reporting, with the ability to ask questions that will help our audience understand corporate decision making. They must have creative ideas for how to tell stories at the intersection of business and finance. Experience in research, reporting and interviewing, including in live settings, are crucial for this role.
A background in podcasting, radio or another comparable medium is preferred, and experience storytelling in multiple formats, including narrative-style podcasting, is a plus.
The position will work closely with a small team based in our New York City and San Francisco offices, and can be based in New York, San Francisco or Washington, DC.
To apply, please submit your résumé, a cover letter clearly outlining how your skills and experience meet or exceed the key candidate requirements and five links to past work that represents the type of work described by November 27th. Candidates who do not submit cover letters will not be considered.
You will:
- Host and produce a daily tech news podcast, working with a small team to handle all tasks involved in writing, recording and mixing the show on a daily deadline.
- Host, produce and mix a daily tech news headlines show, TNB Tech Minute.
- React quickly to breaking news, providing suggestions for guest interviews and securing interviews on deadline.
- Write snappy news items that convey the essential aspects of important stories in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way.
- Write SEO friendly headlines, show descriptions and social language that help bring new audiences to the podcast and encourage listening.
- Work with editors, producers and the social media team to promote the podcast and WSJ on social media, in newsletters and in outside media.
- Interview WSJ reporters and external sources, asking insightful questions on the fly that get to the story in a conversational way.
- Be proactive about proposing interviews and episode ideas, working ahead to ensure the show has a consistent pipeline of strong and timely interview opportunities.
- Book newsmakers and industry leaders, and thoroughly research and prepare for interviews that will make news and lead the conversation.
- Pitch and execute special series and coverage, including narrative-style episodes, beyond the parameters of the daily Tech News Briefing show.
- Ensure all content meets the highest production values and all WSJ journalistic and legal standards are followed.
- Meet tight deadlines in a changing news environment and, at times, work under pressure.
- Be able to pivot when news events warrant, moving quickly to change show plans.
- Collaborate with reporters and editors across the newsroom to develop story ideas and episodes.
- Work with the live journalism team to conduct live interviews that extend the brand beyond the podcast.
- Handle multiple projects in various stages of development and production.
- Work late hours and weekends as news developments may warrant.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
You have:
- 3+ years professional journalism experience, including a business and/or tech news background. Experience at a tech-focused news organization or covering technology is a plus.
- 3+ years experience in audio production, including experience in daily audio news or another format where you have produced audio on a tight deadline.
- Strong editorial judgment and broad knowledge of current events, business, technology and economics, as well as a nose for news.
- Experience researching, scripting and conducting engaging interviews at a variety of lengths.
- Experience communicating with and booking guests, including a robust contact list that you can draw upon with newsmakers and industry executives.
- Keen editorial judgment with expertise in delivering accurate scripts and reporting that are fact checked and meet WSJ standards.
- Proficiency in cutting and mixing tape using Descript and either Pro Tools or Audition.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Calmness under pressure and the ability to switch gears and react to breaking news.
- An ability to manage multiple projects at once.
- Experience working in multiple audio formats and styles.
- Experience with field recording is a plus.
To apply, go here.
