Coordinating Producer MS NOW Podcasts

Versant Media; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Versant Media in New York, NY is seeking a Coordinating Producer for the Podcast Unit at MS NOW. You will lead end-to-end production, pitch guests, script episodes, and mentor junior staff.

This hands-on role blends creating and editing with strategic show input, including marketing needs and long-term projects. A hybrid schedule is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years of audio production experience, preferably in podcasting.
• Minimum 1 year of video editing experience, preferably for YouTube podcasting.
• Technical expertise in ProTools, Descript, and Premiere.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects under deadline.
• Follows current video and podcasting trends.
• Strong understanding of news & politics.
• Understanding of journalism ethics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end production of podcast episodes, including pitching, scripting, recording, editing, and publishing.
• Book studios and crews; distribute mic kits to remote guests.
• Research show topics, structure episodes, and book guests.
• Assemble episode prep for hosts; script in hosts’ voice and refine tone.
• Collaborate with linear TV teams to support high-profile hosts.
• Lead recordings to time and ensure high-quality production.
• Edit audio & video cuts and coordinate with engineers and video editor.
• Oversee sound design and provide mix notes for final quality.
• Write episode metadata optimized for digital audiences.
• Ensure content meets editorial standards, legal guidelines, and brand voice.
• Partner with digital, social, and marketing for distribution.
• Publish audio & video episodes; post TV coverage as podcasts when needed.
• Maintain weekly show calendars and plan future projects.
• Produce bonus content for premium offerings; track performance metrics.

Skills

Audio production

Video editing

News & politics

Journalism ethics

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

ProTools

Descript

Premiere

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a Coordinating Producer to join the Podcast Unit at MS NOW (formerly MSNBC). This role will serve as one of the key editorial leaders for the team.

The Coordinating Producer is a unique player-coach position. You will be in the weeds of production; able to pitch and book guests, collaborate with hosts, script episodes, and be hands-in-tape to shape each episode. At the same time, you’ll be asked to weigh in on high-level show matters such as marketing needs or long-term projects. The right person for this role will also be excited to manage and mentor junior-level staff.

The exact assignment may change over time as unit needs evolve. But at the outset, this person will take the reigns on two of our biggest shows: “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace” and “Main Justice with Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord.” “The Best People” launched in the summer of 2025 and quickly shot to the top of the Apple Podcast charts. On this show, Nicolle Wallace sits down with people she admires who are standing up for democracy and civility. And “Main Justice,” which was formerly known as “Prosecuting Donald Trump,” is a weekly deep-dive into the legal machinations of the Justice Department and the Trump Administration. To succeed in this role, you should be equally excited to dive into court documents as you are to book big-name guests such as Kara Swisher or Robert De Niro.

The Coordinating Producer is expected to be a utility player, pivoting to tasks across the unit as needed. The right person for this position will have a mastery of audio and video editing, and have an interest in news, law, and politics. Adherence to journalistic best practices is a must.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the end-to-end production of podcast episodes, including but not limited to pitching, scripting, recording, editing, and publishing
• Book studios and crews. When needed, work with TV crews on best audio practices. And distribute mic kits to remote guests
• Research show topics, structure episodes, and pitch and book compelling show guests
• Assemble episode prep for hosts. Script episodes in hosts’ voice and work with them to hone the sound of each episode
• Collaborate with linear TV teams to support the needs and preferences of high-profile hosts
• Lead recordings, ensuring that tapings are to-time, contain the editorial material necessary for a high-quality episode, and meet our recording standards
• Track scripts, pickups, and promos with hosts
• Edit audio & video cuts, and pass to engineers & video editor for final mixes
• Oversee sound design and provide mix notes to ensure final mix is of high production quality
• Write episode metadata that is optimized for digital audiences
• Ensure all content meets editorial standards, legal guidelines, and brand voice
• Partner with digital, social, and marketing teams on episode distribution
• Publish audio & video podcast episodes
• Occasionally post TV coverage as podcast offerings
• Maintain weekly show calendars and plan future-looking projects
• Produce bonus content (such as for our Premium or Direct-to-Consumer products)
• Track performance metrics and iterate on content strategy in coordination with unit leadership
• Stay on top of trends in podcasting and news consumption and use these trends to evolve podcast editorial & workflows
• Manage junior staff, in both formal and informal capacities
• Additional duties as assigned. Subject to change as role is expected to evolve over time when needed.

Qualifications:

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Minimum 7 years of audio production experience, preferably in podcasting
• Minimum 1 years of video editing experience, preferably for YouTube podcasting
• Technical expertise in ProTools, Descript, and Premiere
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects under deadline
• Follows current video and podcasting trends
• Strong understanding of news & politics
• Understanding of journalism ethics

Desired Qualifications:

• Collaborative attitude and strong communication skills
• Fast learner
• Self-motivated to continually grow their skillset
• Adaptable to the needs of an evolving team
• Able to take accountability
• Enjoys solving problems, and does so pro-actively
• Management experience
• Highly organized
• Works well within a large organization
• Comfortable working on shared projects

Additional Requirements:

• Must be willing to work varied shifts as news changes.
• Must work in New York, NY.
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States.
• This position has been designated as a hybrid, three days in the office a week.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.

Salary Range: $115,000 - $143,000

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [e-mail].

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

Compensation:

$115,000-$115,000 per year