Story Editor / Exec Producer
A position at Novel, London, UK
Salary range: £50,000 to £60,000 (yearly rate) - subject to experience plus Benefits
Job Title: Story Editor / Exec Producer
Location: Emerald Street, Holborn, London / WFH
Contract Type: Permanent
Term: Full-Time, 09:30-18:00
Start Date: Asap
Reports to: Chief Content Officer
Direct Line Reports: Managing Editor
ABOUT NOVEL
In little more than two years, Novel has become Europe’s biggest independent audio production company. We employ over 50 people full time. Our staff includes Third Coast founder and former Radiotopia chief Julie Shapiro as Executive Creative Director and former Head of Creative Acquisitions at NBC, Neil Krishnan who has recently started as our Head of Film and TV. In an increasingly IP-driven industry, Novel is enthusiastically entering the Film / TV space while continuing to be best-in-class in podcasts.
We produce premium original podcasts for the likes of the BBC, iHeartRadio, Wondery, Gimlet, Audible, Spotiy, Formula One, Google and The Premier League. We achieved a simultaneous US and UK number one with Harsh Reality, and have won seven different awards for our self-funded Bellingcat Podcast series about the international crowd-sourced investigations agency. Many of our biggest shows have been optioned for TV and film. Now, we’re about to launch our own Originals network and take our house style straight to listeners under our own name.
We’re based in London, but increasingly our content starts with America in mind. We specialise in investigative and narrative documentary storytelling. But we’re also interested in comedy, politics, sport and scripted. We’re fiercely commercially-focused while always fiercely creative. We think about the industry differently, and we hold ourselves to a different standard.
OVERVIEW
We are looking for a highly creative Story Editor / Exec Producer with a back catalogue of award-winning series as an audio producer and a proven track record in heading up industry leading production teams.
Exceptional editorial judgement, rock solid journalism, detailed understanding of compliance and strong leadership skills are vital for this role as is creative flair when it comes to audio production.
Our Story Editor / Exec Producer should have relationships with the commissioning teams at our major partners including the BBC, Audible and Spotify. Experience in the US market is a bonus as a significant percentage of your time will be spent working on our projects in the States.
You will be responsible for overseeing a slate of premium audio content including major longform narrative series for iHeartRadio and Wondery as well as high quality features, series and formats for the BBC and Audible.
A background in factual content is essential, experience in longform narrative audio and quality journalism strongly preferred. Confidence in overseeing chat formats, comedy and fiction a welcome bonus.
If you have a genuine desire to guide and nurture talented producers, developing their skills and honing their stories into something truly special then we want to hear from you.
Please note - whilst we are currently advertising for several producer roles, this job is a senior editorial position. A minimum of 5 years senior editorial experience is a must and experience working on high quality audio production on major series and strands is preferred.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Overseeing the smooth running and delivery of a portfolio of production projects
- Editorial leadership on numerous audio series and features
- Delivery of high quality audio content at scale on time and on budget
- Establishing and maintaining the highest journalistic standards
- Ensuring all content is compliant within editorial and legal guidelines
- Supporting, encouraging and guiding producers, assistant producers and researchers
- Creative feedback and problem solving
- Resolution of production challenges
- Editorial and creative feedback on scripts, rough cuts, sound design and final mixes
- Script editing
- Overseeing interview prep
- Liaising with clients and commissioners
- Talent relations
- Defining production schedules
- Input and oversight on production budgets
- Recruiting and managing freelance producers
- Maintaining a detailed knowledge of the latest production trends and releases
- Championing diversity on and off-air and nurturing new production talent
ADDITIONAL SKILLS & PERSON SPECIFICATION
- A skilled multitasker
- A natural team leader and charismatic mentor
- Exceptional organisational skills
- Great communicator with production staff, senior management, clients, interviewees and talent alike
- Confident audio editor with an ear for detail
- Creative thinker, capable of developing progressive approaches to familiar topics
- Keen problem solver – must be able to think on your feet and react quickly and calmly under pressure
- Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise
- Attention to detail – everything we deliver is at a premium level
- Proficient user of G-Suite and Slack (Novel do not use Excel)
- Confidence using project management software such as Asana a significant bonus
- Passionate about documentaries, podcasting and creative audio production
PACKAGE
- Salary range £50-60k (depending on experience)
- 23 days of holiday per year + Christmas
- Health insurance
- Pension
- Season ticket loan
It is obvious the podcast industry needs to change and become more diverse. We are therefore particularly keen to hear from applicants that are underrepresented in the industry, such as those from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic backgrounds or those with disabilities.
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