Senior producer, Times podcasts – The Times and The Sunday Times

The Times and The Sunday Times have a combined 400 years of covering news and providing comment and analysis on the UK and the world. They aim to produce authoritative, credible, responsible and trusted journalism and form part of the nation’s cultural heritage.

About the role

As a senior producer in the podcast team, you’ll help generate, develop and oversee output across platforms, applying the same ambition and rigorous standards as the journalism produced by The Times and The Sunday Times.

Working primarily on the flagship news podcast, The Story, you’ll collaborate with reporters, correspondents and section editors on individual episodes and multi-part series.

This is a full-time role requiring regular Sunday working. You’ll be part of a small team working to tight deadlines and, at times, unpredictable hours to meet the demands of the day’s news. You may also work on other podcasts.

The role combines programme-making, people management, knowledge of different platforms and data-led audience analysis. You’ll need strong editorial and legal judgement, experience of audio or multi-platform production and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

Key responsibilities

Audience

• Work with the executive producer and producers to deliver the programme’s strategy across seven days and multiple formats.
• Identify opportunities for growth across platforms, formats and audiences, developing content that serves existing listeners and attracts new audiences.
• Collaborate with editorial, platform and marketing teams to connect audience goals with wider brand objectives.

Content

• Produce podcast content for daily, weekly and serialised publication. As senior producer, you will be responsible for delivering around two episodes a week, including the associated editorial and legal responsibilities.
• Maintain high editorial and production standards, working closely with legal and compliance teams.
• Work with teams across The Times and The Sunday Times and colleagues producing other podcasts.
• Contribute to complex editorial decisions, often under deadline pressure, escalating issues when necessary.

Performance

• Contribute to the team’s continued development, including new formats, storytelling approaches, bonus and afternoon editions, and field production and reporting.
• Work to produce high-quality podcast journalism for audiences in the UK and internationally.
• Manage your own workload and generate a regular flow of ideas for new subjects and approaches to existing stories.
• Work unsociable hours when required, including weekends.

Essential criteria

• Experience of daily news, investigative or current affairs reporting, ideally within a newspaper or media organisation.
• A strong understanding of and practical experience in British media law.
• An understanding of podcast research, production and storytelling, including narrative and non-narrative formats.
• Extensive podcast or audio production experience, including using Descript and Adobe Audition. Experience with Adobe Premiere is desirable.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and use it to inform approaches to content.
• Experience of working effectively under pressure and adapting to changing circumstances and the demands of developing stories.
• Experience of working to strict editorial standards and legal requirements in a media environment.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

About News UK

News UK is one of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Its news brands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Its national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio, Talk and Virgin Radio UK, alongside local radio stations across Ireland.

Its brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month across print, digital, audio, video, events and experiences. News UK is wholly owned by News Corp.

Life at News UK

News UK aims to represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling stories that matter and helping audiences make decisions based on trusted information.

The organisation says it wants its employees to represent different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and aims to ensure everyone feels valued and able to fulfil their potential.

Its diversity strategy focuses on attracting talent from a wider and more representative pool, improving representation in leadership and supporting diversity across its workforce, journalism and content.

News UK also has 13 employee-led networks and groups that support its diversity strategy and connect colleagues.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Up to 18 weeks’ maternity leave at full basic salary and up to two weeks’ paternity leave.
• A range of training opportunities and full access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Private medical insurance, including cover for pre-existing conditions.
• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home and weekly virtual yoga classes.
• Bikes for Work and Electric Car schemes.
• Up to 60 per cent discount on HarperCollins books.
• Access to exclusive events and competitions with brands including talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK and The Times, alongside weekly virtual panel discussions with journalists and celebrities.
• Wellbeing benefits including an employee assistance programme (EAP), physiotherapy, massage and counselling.
• A pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5 per cent.
• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays and an additional anniversary day off.
• Up to three paid volunteering days a year to support causes you care about.

Inclusive recruitment

News UK wants everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during the recruitment process. If you need information provided differently or require adjustments when applying for a role, contact careers@news.co.uk.