📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Digital-Social Media Producer, NBC Chicago
🔹 Company: NBCUniversal
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Entertainment Providers
🔹 Date Posted: May 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Covering news across multiple platforms for NBC Chicago
- Reporting breaking news and creating multimedia content
- Engaging with the local audience and driving traffic to platforms
- Collaborating with news staff and independent sources
- Adhering to AP Style, editorial style guides, standards, and practices
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong news judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Cover Chicago-area and Midwest news across platforms for NBC Chicago
✅ Report stories from the digital desk, especially in breaking news
✅ Understand SEO, use Google Trends, and apply audience learnings to content
✅ Send push alerts, post to social media, clip video, and work sources in breaking news
✅ Drive audience to ensure platforms are No. 1
✅ Create multimedia content to enhance daily news coverage
✅ Execute all publishing workflows for video, images, and text
✅ Adhere to AP Style, editorial style guides, standards, and practices
✅ Coordinate with news producers to cross-promote on-air and online content
✅ Be an advocate for the audience in the newsroom and beyond
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of multitasking, adaptability, and the ability to work well in a collaborative, team-focused environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: At least 1.5 years of newsroom experience
Required Skills:
- AP Style news writing
- Skilled writing with outstanding communication skills
- Working knowledge of Google Trends and SEO
- Experience covering news on social media platforms
- Experience working in a fast-paced content production environment
Preferred Skills:
- Writing in both Spanish and English
- Working knowledge of content management and video editing tools
- Writing experience for a newspaper or news website for a minimum of a year
- In-depth knowledge of Chicago-area news and politics
- Wire service, newspaper rewrite, or digital news background
- Experience with social media, editing video, and creating slideshows
- Desire to work in a creative, demanding, competitive environment
- Excellent editing, writing, and management skills, as well as experience in telling stories through videos, photos, and multimedia packages
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong understanding of the local news landscape and trends is essential for success in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 per year
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Discounts
- Perks
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility to cover shifts as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Chicago area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Entertainment Providers
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: NBCUniversal was founded in 2004, following the merger of NBC and Universal Studios.
Company Description:
- NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies
- Owns and operates leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock
- Produces and distributes premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group
- Has world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences
Company Specialties:
- Television production and distribution
- Film production and distribution
- Streaming services
- Theme parks and attractions
Company Website: NBCUniversal.com
ASSUMPTION: NBCUniversal is a large, well-established company with a diverse range of entertainment and news brands. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with significant growth potential.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Early to mid-career level, with opportunities for growth and advancement
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Digital News Manager or a similar position
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a minimum of three days per week in the office
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior producer or management role
- Expansion into other areas of NBCUniversal, such as film, television, or streaming
- Development of specialized skills, such as video production or editing
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within NBCUniversal and the broader entertainment industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative newsroom environment
Office Location(s): 454 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL 60611-5555
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a diverse and vibrant cultural scene
- The city is home to numerous news outlets and entertainment companies, providing ample opportunities for networking and growth
- Chicago has a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility to cover shifts as needed, including evenings and weekends
ASSUMPTION: The office location is in a bustling area of Chicago, with easy access to public transportation and numerous amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager or HR representative
- In-person interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with the Digital News Director or a similar position
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and communication skills
- News judgment and decision-making abilities
- Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment
- Collaboration and teamwork skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Include examples of your writing and multimedia work, if available
- Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of the local news landscape and trends
- Show enthusiasm for the role and NBCUniversal's mission
ATS Keywords: Digital News Writing, Content Creation, SEO, Audience Development, Social Media, Multitasking, Collaboration, Video Production, Editing, Communication, AP Style, News Coverage, Trend Analysis, Storytelling, Flexibility, Creativity
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a high volume of applicants. Tailoring your application materials to highlight your unique qualifications and fit for the role is essential.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- SEO tools (e.g., Google Trends, SEMrush)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the newsroom's preferences and the candidate's skillset.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Diversity
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-focused
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-driven
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable working with tight deadlines and breaking news situations?
- Do you have a strong news judgment and the ability to make decisions under pressure?
- Are you passionate about storytelling and engaging with local audiences?
ASSUMPTION: NBCUniversal values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates who can demonstrate a strong fit with the company's values and work style are likely to be successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight deadlines
- Adapting to changes in audience trends and news coverage priorities
- Balancing multiple responsibilities and platforms in a single role
- Competing with other news outlets and entertainment companies in the Chicago area
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other digital news producer positions in its focus on covering local news across multiple platforms
- Industry-specific context: The entertainment industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with a constant need for innovation and adaptation
- Career path comparison: This role offers a clear path to progression within NBCUniversal and the broader entertainment industry
ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited to candidates with a strong background in local news and a passion for engaging with local audiences.
📝 Sample Projects
- Covering a breaking news story across multiple platforms, including web, app, and social media
- Creating a multimedia package to enhance daily news coverage
- Developing a series of stories on a trending topic, using SEO and audience learnings to inform content
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to showcase the candidate's ability to cover news, create engaging content, and adapt to different platforms and formats.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader news coverage strategy for NBC Chicago?
- What are the most important qualities for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?
- How does NBCUniversal support the growth and development of its digital news producers?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the newsroom in the coming months, and how can this role help address them?
- How does NBCUniversal foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help the candidate better understand the role, the company, and the newsroom's priorities and challenges.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through NBCUniversal Careers
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Include examples of your writing and multimedia work, if available
- Prepare for your interview by researching NBCUniversal, the role, and the newsroom's priorities
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview, expressing your enthusiasm for the role and any additional questions you may have
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
