Head of Podcast Strategy & Production

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks a Senior Director of Podcasts to lead editorial strategy and operations for its podcast vertical. You will inherit four established shows and shape their narrative direction, format, and brand identity.

You will recruit and manage a small in-house team, coordinate with hosts and external contractors, and drive audience growth across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more. A deep understanding of U.S. foreign policy is essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in editorial, content leadership, or production roles in podcasting or related media.
• Track record of editorial ownership and decision-making in media products.
• Strong familiarity with U.S. foreign policy and national security topics.
• Experience building and leading small teams; managing contractors and staff.

Responsibilities

• Own editorial direction and long-term vision for FDD's podcast vertical in partnership with hosts.
• Develop episode concepts, briefs, and maintain editorial quality and brand identity.
• Serve as primary editorial and operational contact for hosts, scheduling and logistics.
• Support guest outreach, booking, and the infrastructure enabling content creation.
• Grow the lineup, expand reach, and develop new show formats aligned with FDD's mission.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Production planning

Audience development

Team building

Podcasting tools

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Tools

Podcast editing software

Multi-platform distribution

Scheduling tools

Job description

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) seeks a Senior Director of Podcasts to lead editorial strategy and operations for its podcast vertical. You will inherit four established shows and shape their narrative direction, format, and brand identity.

You will recruit and manage a small in-house team, coordinate with hosts and external contractors, and drive audience growth across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more. A deep understanding of U.S. foreign policy is essential.