Morning Host, WQXR

newyork-public-radio; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Personal leave and family leave

Collective bargaining agreement (SAG-A

Job summary

New York Public Radio's WQXR seeks a Weekday Morning Host to deliver mission-aligned classical music across live broadcasts and digital platforms, expanding listenership and audience engagement while reporting to the Program Director.

The role is based in New York City with a hybrid schedule; five days on air, strong vocal clarity, and the ability to write engaging copy, promos, and features for diverse listeners are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in music, broadcasting, the humanities, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum 5 years of professional live, on-air radio experience, including announcing classical music and writing on-air copy.
• Strong pronunciation and working knowledge of foreign languages integrated into classical music programming, particularly French, German and Italian.
• Experience with radio playout, automation and audio editing tools (Zetta preferred).

Responsibilities

• Host the live WQXR morning broadcast five days a week.
• Maintain a warm, relaxed, engaging vibe and conversational, welcoming delivery.
• Voice recurring station promos, underwriting credits, and other imaging spots.
• Conceptualize, collaborate on, and host specialty on-air classical features and shows.
• Use playout, production, and automation systems following station and FCC rules.
• Host or co-host live broadcasts and station events.
• Provide occasional live or voice-tracked backup hosting for alternate shifts.

Skills

Language proficiency

Verbal clarity

Core music knowledge

Studio tools

Music scheduling software

Multilingual broadcasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in music, broadcasting, humanities or related field

Tools

Zetta

Audio editing

Playout automation

Music scheduling

Job description

Morning Host, WQXR

WQXR is seeking a Weekday Morning Host to deliver compelling, mission-aligned classical music programming across our live broadcast and digital platforms. This key public radio role focuses on expanding our listenership, elevating a diverse range of artistic voices, and building deep relationships with our audience.Reporting to the Program Director

Key Responsibilities

• Host the live WQXR morning broadcast 5 days a week.
• Maintain a warm, relaxed, engaging vibe and conversational, welcoming delivery.
• Voice recurring station promos, underwriting credits, and other imaging spots.
• Conceptualize, collaborate on, and host specialty on-air classical features and shows.
• Use playout, production, and automation systems following station and FCC rules.
• Host or co-host live broadcasts and station events
• Provide occasional live or voice-tracked backup hosting for alternate shifts

Content Development & Audience Engagement

• Conduct interviews with classical artists for radio and digital rollout.
• Write compelling short-form website articles, digital features, and introductory copy for listener newsletters.
• Cultivate direct listener relationships through online engagement via email, social platforms, and the station website.
• Highlight local classical concerts, community events, and cultural happenings that meet station guidelines.

Fundraising & Station Advocacy

• On-Air Campaigns: Pitch live during pledge drives, help draft fundraising scripts, and pre-record one-hour specialty pledge shows.
• Represent WQXR at high-profile donor events and other station events

Collaboration & Mentorship

• Talent Development: Assist with training for incoming announcers and guest as needed
• Team Operations: Participate in routine staff meetings, company All Staffs, and 1:1s with supervisor

Job Requirements

Education & Experience

• Academic Background: Bachelor’s degree in music, broadcasting, the humanities, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Radio Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional live, on-air radio experience, including announcing classical music and writing on-air copy.

Knowledge, technical & linguistic skills

• Classical Music: Strong interest in classical music and knowledge of classical music history, including specific periods, composers, major works, and past and active performers.
• Familiarity with NYC-area classical music scene a plus
• Language Proficiency: Accurate pronunciation and strong working knowledge of foreign languages integrated into classical music programming, particularly French, German and Italian.
• Core Literacy: Excellent verbal clarity, written grammar, spelling, and copyediting skills.
• Studio Tools: Experience with audio editing suites and radio playout and automation systems (Zetta preferred).
• Experience with music scheduling software a plus
• Background in generating multimedia digital content and cross-platform campaigns a plus

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Ability to fulfill project directives independently without direct supervision by accurately executing written and verbal instructions.
• Proven capacity to maintain positive, collaborative partnerships with team members, station stakeholders, listeners, and donors.
• A genuine passion for music, non-profit community engagement, and advancing the station’s cultural goals.

Morning Additional Information:

This is a full-time role. The salary range is: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00 based on a 35-hour workweek, with benefits. New York Public Radio also offers excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, personal, and sick time, as well as inclusive family leave. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between New York Public Radio and SAG-AFTRA.

This role is based in New York City (or the immediate metro area) and operates in a hybrid capacity. This individual is expected to work onsite at WQXR’s Manhattan headquarters at least 2 days a week.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

New York Public Radio is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We continuously strive to place our employees at the center of our thinking and elevate inclusive practices to develop and support a more engaged and productively workforce. Our journalism and operations in the service of that journalism benefit from a broad range of perspectives, from all backgrounds, at all levels of the organization. Diversity is essential to honest, authentic, accurate storytelling and reportage; creating an institution in which all voices are encouraged, valued, and heard.

Equal Opportunity

New York Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions without regard to mental or physical disability, race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any protected federal, state or local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.