OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

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

National Public Media (NPM) is the sponsorship subsidiary of NPR, working with brands, agencies, producers and broadcasters to develop campaigns that deliver on sponsor objectives while fueling the mission of public media. It serves as the exclusive sponsorship representative for the NPR network, which reaches 46 million people weekly across platforms, and designs multi-market campaigns with public media stations nationwide. National Public Media is committed to excellence in audience research, measurement tools, product design and creative consultation and production for each of its brand and station partners.

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!

NPM Creative understands that experience comes in many forms. We celebrate and support differences and aim to hire people from a variety of backgrounds because it strengthens our team and company. We’re dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team, so if your experience aligns with what we’re looking for (even if you don’t check every box), please consider applying!

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

Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $70,000 - $75,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPM Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for NPM employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPM’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPM employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

#LI-REMOTE

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.