Digital Audio Anchor

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is home to WBEZ , Chicago’s NPR news source and one of the largest and most respected public media stations in the country, as well as urban alternative music station, Vocalo . The organization serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information. WBEZ’s award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers, and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. In addition to its local and national news programming, WBEZ Chicago is home to a growing portfolio of popular podcasts, including the “Making” series of Making Beyoncé, Making Obama, and Making Oprah; an investigative podcast series, Motive; 16 Shots: A podcast about the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald; Nerdette; and Curious City. WBEZ Chicago has a legacy of innovation as the birthplace of nationally acclaimed programs such as This American Life and Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and the ground-breaking podcast, Serial.

Chicago Public Media has recently acquired the Chicago Sun-Times, one of the Chicago’s two major daily newspapers and among the most storied dailies in the nation.  With the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, Chicago Public Media is now home to one of the largest teams of journalists of any local news organization in the nation. Under the banner of Chicago Public Media, WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times will reach more than 2 million people a week in the Chicago area across broadcast, print, and digital channels. Backed by a significant philanthropic commitment, Chicago Public Media plans to substantially increase its investment in local journalism by hiring additional reporters, producers and newsroom personnel in the months and years ahead. 

The Opportunity

Chicago Public Media, home to WBEZ, Chicago’s NPR news station, is looking for someone who is ready to try something different. This position is for a candidate who loves daily news, wants to dig deeper into issues affecting Chicagoans, and has a strong interest in the city’s culture. We’re looking for a curious and skillful writer who exudes warmth and authority when they deliver the news, and knows their way around audio production. 

This person will become WBEZ’s “digital voice,” serving new audiences with on-demand news. Our flagship effort will be a twice-daily digital-first newscast for local audiences, available across WBEZ’s online platforms, smart speakers, NPR One, podcast apps and more. They will produce WBEZ’s version of the Consider This podcast, in partnership with NPR. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with hosts and producers with our sister station Vocalo, as well as reporters in the WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times newsrooms to share deeper dives on their stories. This digital newscast anchor will be expected to do some of their own reporting as well.

This position falls within our audio news team and requires a high degree of creativity. This team player is responsible for crafting segments that will help Chicago Public Media engage with new audiences.

The ideal candidate is a resourceful journalist who can spot trends and make sharp connections with seemingly straightforward news stories, providing insight that gives listeners the context they need to have a deeper understanding of the news. A commitment to accuracy and excellence defines the work we do at WBEZ; as such, the successful candidate will have strong news judgment, writing and editing skills and work effectively under deadline.

Qualifications

• Ability to write and produce stories at a daily pace on a wide range of topics with skill, accuracy, and insight
• Ability to handle breaking news under deadline pressure
• Ability to anchor with authority and a deep connection to audience
• Ability to serve listeners and adjust approach depending on feedback 
• Demonstrated passion for news and a delight in advancing stories, or identifying creative angles when covering key stories in Chicago’s daily news cycle
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with editors, producers and reporters across the newsroom in service of shared excellence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues and sources
• Strong audio editing skills

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work.  We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include:

 6 weeks fully paid family leave

 High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost

 A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match

Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks’ vacation and 4 personal days.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.