Senior Podcast Producer

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Podcast Producer

🔹 Company: Old Queen Street Media

🔹 Location: London, England, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Media and Telecommunications

🔹 Date Posted: May 21, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the production of high-profile podcasts for UnHerd and The Spectator
• Booking top-tier guests and shaping editorial tone
• Overseeing recording, editing, and driving audience growth through marketing and promotion
• Working across both brands to create fresh, fearless, and unmissable content

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of editorial, production, and marketing skills, with a strong focus on creating compelling content and driving audience engagement.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Pitch timely, original episode ideas that respond to breaking news and cultural trends

✅ Research, identify, and book high-profile guests across politics, culture, and media

✅ Write persuasive pitches to secure both reactive and long-lead guests

✅ Maintain a live, detailed tracker of all guest outreach and booking activity

✅ Coordinate recording schedules with presenters and studio teams (in-person and remote)

✅ Prepare concise, insightful briefings for presenters on a wide range of topics

✅ Draft high-quality scripts, intros, and guest biographies

✅ Fact-check content and ensure editorial accuracy across all outputs

✅ Select and prepare visual assets and quotes to enhance podcast visibility

✅ Edit short-form clips for social media and refine podcast audio where needed

✅ Shape compelling release packages — headlines, thumbnails, show notes — to maximise reach

✅ Lead social media strategy and scheduling to drive growth and engagement across platforms

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in podcast production, with a strong track record of booking high-profile guests and creating compelling content

Required Skills:

• Excellent editorial judgment and strong writing skills
• Proven ability to book high-profile guests and pitch compelling episode ideas
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with audio editing software (e.g., Audacity, Adobe Audition)
• Social media savvy and understanding of digital marketing strategies
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with presenters and managing their schedules
• Familiarity with the UK media landscape and political scene
• Experience with podcast analytics and audience growth strategies

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in podcast production, with a proven track record of success in booking high-profile guests and creating engaging content.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per year (depending on experience)

Benefits:

• 5% Employer Contribution Pension Scheme
• Generous Holiday Allowance (25 days per calendar year, plus birthday holiday bonus and Bank Holiday Leave)
• Generous discounts at the Company restaurant, as well as free breakfast and fruit
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Podcast Producer role in London. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Old Queen Street Media operates in the Media and Telecommunications industry, focusing on building modern media brands that foster open and productive public conversations about important ideas.

Company Size: Old Queen Street Media is a small company with 11-50 employees, providing a collaborative and agile work environment.

Founded: The company's founding date is not specified, but it owns and operates several online and offline media brands, including UnHerd, the Old Queen Street Café, the UnHerd Club, and CoEditor Limited.

Company Description:

• Old Queen Street Media owns and operates online magazine UnHerd, the Old Queen Street Café, the UnHerd Club, and CoEditor Limited, a publishing technology startup.
• The company is committed to building cutting-edge, modern media brands that help foster an open and productive public conversation about the ideas that matter.

Company Specialties:

• Podcast production
• Online magazine publishing
• Event planning and management (through the UnHerd Club)
• Publishing technology development (through CoEditor Limited)

Company Website: oqs.media

ASSUMPTION: Old Queen Street Media is a dynamic and growing company, with a strong focus on creating engaging and thought-provoking content across various media platforms.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Podcasts and works closely with presenters, studio teams, and marketing departments.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role, with flexibility to work remotely when needed. The role may require working evenings and weekends to accommodate guest availability and recording schedules.

Growth Opportunities:

• As the company grows, there may be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities or lead new projects.
• With experience and success in this role, there may be opportunities to progress to a management or leadership position within the podcast division or the company as a whole.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, as the company's podcast division is expanding and there may be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities or lead new projects as the company grows.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Old Queen Street Media's office is located in London, with a collaborative and creative work environment.

Office Location(s): The company's main office is located in London, with additional offices in other major cities.

Geographic Context:

• London is a major global city, with a vibrant cultural scene and a diverse range of industries.
• The city is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to major attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
• London offers a high cost of living compared to other UK cities, with average salaries reflecting this difference.

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is full-time, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to accommodate guest availability and recording schedules.

ASSUMPTION: Working in London offers a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic and diverse cultural scene, with access to a wide range of resources and networking opportunities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
• First-round interview with the Head of Podcasts to discuss editorial vision and production skills
• Second-round interview with presenters or other key stakeholders to assess communication and collaboration skills
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior leader to discuss long-term career goals and fit within the company

Key Assessment Areas:

• Editorial judgment and creativity
• Guest booking and pitch writing skills
• Production and organizational skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values
• Long-term career goals and aspirations

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Include specific examples of successful podcast episodes you've produced, along with any relevant metrics or feedback.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the UK media landscape and political scene in your application materials.

ATS Keywords: Podcast production, guest booking, editorial tone, recording oversight, editing, audience growth, marketing, research, script writing, fact-checking, social media strategy, content creation, briefing preparation, visual asset selection, promotion, trend analysis

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on assessing editorial judgment, production skills, and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Audio editing software (e.g., Audacity, Adobe Audition)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Podcast hosting platforms (e.g., Libsyn, Podbean)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the company's preferences and the candidate's existing skillset.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Fostering open and productive public conversations about important ideas
• Creating engaging and thought-provoking content across various media platforms
• Collaboration and innovation in a dynamic and growing company

Work Style:

• Creative and innovative approach to content creation
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Collaborative and supportive work environment

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share Old Queen Street Media's commitment to fostering open and productive public conversations about important ideas?
• Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and growing company, with a focus on innovation and collaboration?
• Do you have a creative and innovative approach to content creation, with a strong attention to detail and organizational skills?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong alignment with Old Queen Street Media's values and work style, with a commitment to fostering open and productive public conversations about important ideas and a creative and innovative approach to content creation.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing the schedules and availability of high-profile guests
• Keeping up with breaking news and cultural trends to create timely and relevant content
• Balancing the demands of production, marketing, and editorial responsibilities
• Adapting to the company's growth and changing priorities

ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to managing guest availability, keeping up with breaking news and cultural trends, and balancing multiple responsibilities. Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Senior Podcast Producer roles, but with a focus on creating high-profile content for prominent media brands.
• Compared to other podcast production roles, this position offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of high-profile guests and create content that drives public conversation on important ideas.
• Career progression in this role may involve taking on additional responsibilities, leading new projects, or moving into a management or leadership position within the podcast division or the company as a whole.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other podcast production roles, with a focus on creating high-profile content that drives public conversation on important ideas.

📝 Sample Projects

• Producing a high-profile interview with a prominent political figure, with a tight turnaround time and significant audience interest
• Creating a series of episodes focused on a breaking news story or cultural trend, with a mix of expert interviews and analysis
• Developing a marketing campaign to promote a new podcast series, with a focus on driving audience growth and engagement

ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for this role may involve producing high-profile interviews, creating content around breaking news or cultural trends, and developing marketing campaigns to drive audience growth and engagement.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the company's overall strategy for podcast growth and expansion?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the podcast division or the company as a whole?
• How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
• What is the company's approach to fostering open and productive public conversations about important ideas, and how does this role contribute to that mission?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should ask thoughtful questions about the role's priorities, the company's strategy for podcast growth, professional development opportunities, work-life balance, and the company's approach to fostering open and productive public conversations about important ideas.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on your editorial judgment, production skills, and ability to book high-profile guests.
• Prepare examples of successful podcast episodes you've produced, along with any relevant metrics or feedback.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the UK media landscape and political scene in your application materials.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and reiterate your interest in the role.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.