Senior Producer - MPR News

Position Summary

MPR News is seeking a talented news broadcast producer to lead our morning drive-time news team. The ideal candidate has a passion for live and local news, building audiences, and leading teams. You can balance big, long-term projects with day-to-day news coverage — and you know how to keep a broadcast moving while feeding strong stories out across platforms. You will direct the daily work of a team of producers, partner closely with our on-air host to shape sharp, distinctive daily programming, and coordinate coverage plans and handoffs with the afternoon producer to keep news flowing seamlessly across the broadcast day.

You'll pitch and produce interviews and debriefs, collaborate with editors and reporters, and drive our news coverage across broadcast, digital, and social platforms. MPR News remains committed to local broadcasts and to providing a space for Minnesotans to gather and share their stories. We're looking for a producer who is devoted to elevating local voices and local stories. You understand the urgent need to practice more equitable journalism and are committed to collaborating with the entire newsroom to do so.

You are curious, collaborative, decisive, and creative. You have a willingness to try new things and the ability to give constructive, consistent feedback. Beyond directing daily workloads for your team, you will oversee implementation of their professional development plans crafted by the assistant program director. This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between MPR and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG‑AFTRA”).

$83,640 - $100,368 per year. The exact salary rate is determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, and internal equity.

Hybrid, St. Paul, MN

• Plan long-term goals for programs.
• Direct and oversee the work of other producers.
• Maintain highest journalistic standards across all platforms.
• Track diversity of sources and hold staff accountable to sourcing goals.
• Communicate the vision of the program to the staff and collaborate with other newsroom colleagues to elevate MPR News editorial goals.
• Ensure the program’s overall tone and balance.
• Consistently assess the program’s content and priorities.
• Supervise editing and post production.
• Oversee social media plan for the programs.
• Lead staff by:
  • Creating a culture of constructive performance coaching and regular, on-going feedback.
  • Encouraging creativity, invention and productivity.
  • Embracing diversity in staff make-up.
  • Creating and encouraging individualized development opportunities and plans for staff.
• Originate story ideas for the programs and produce segments.
• Direct live broadcast of the programs.
• Develop and produce special programs and remote broadcasts.
• Collaborate with Membership department during fund drives.
• Oversee archiving of the programs.
• Oversee production of promos.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in fast-paced, idea-driven broadcast journalism environments
• Experience working with on air talent

• Ability to produce programs that meet MPR News standards
• Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high-performance culture
• Ability to advocate for program/resources/staff
• Supervisory skills and ability to recruit, coach and develop talent
• Leadership and personnel skills and ability to inspire and lead the staff
• Ability to manage change
• Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with sound management
• Knowledge of new media applications for digital distribution, audience engagement and community networking

• Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Hmong or other languages commonly used in Minnesota
• 3-5 years experience managing people
• Broadcast control room experience

None

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to…